Catholic woman recognized for ministry to the military

Photo courtesy of Bob Wasserlein

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Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, presents the Medal of the Archdiocese for the Military Services to Peggy Wasserlein, who has served in various capacities at the Hill Air Force Base chapel for the past 30 years.

OGDEN — Amid the ever-changing personnel at Hill Air Force Base, there has been a constant: Peggy Wasserlein, who has for the past 30 years served in various capacities at the chapel.

On Aug. 29, she was recognized for her service when Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services of the United States of America presented her with Medal of the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

"The Medal of the Archdiocese, granted infrequently, is given only to a person who demonstrates qualities worthy of special recognition – by their exemplary moral character, their fidelity to the teachings and mission of the Church and their devotion and service to the Catholic community," the archbishop wrote in a letter accompanying the award. "Ms. Margaret Wasserlein’s many contributions to the Catholic community certainly warrant this recognition."

Wasserlein arrived at HAFB in 1980, accompanying her husband, Bob, who was stationed there. He retired from active duty in 1983 but she continued to work at the chapel.

A military Catholic community differs in some ways from a civilian parish, Wasserlein said. "We are a unique community with a group of wonderful, wonderful people, and all try to work together to live out their faith. I think one of the things that happens here is that they make friends very quickly because they know that they are only to last a few years in the community."

For many military members, the chapel community is a second family, Wasserlein said. "The community of faith is where your friends are built from. I’ve been able to help, in some way, people and that’s what our faith is all about."

One of the challenging aspects of her job is the frequent change in priests, she said.

"We have our pastors who are normally here three to four years and then they move on, and now they are only assigned for two to three years and they leave," Wasserlein said. "We have been blessed with so many wonderful priests that have come in and you learn something new from them. That part is a blessing."

Wasserlein’s involvement with the church stretches back many years. She volunteered as the Catholic religious education coordinator at Hurlburt Chapel in Florida in 1973, a position she held until she transferred to HAFB. At Hill, she began as the part-time religious education coordinator, then volunteered as the Liturgy Committee chairperson. She has served as the HAFB chapel’s ecumenical coordinator since May 2002, coordinating various programs sponsored by the Protestant and Catholic communities.

In addition, she established the Stephen Ministry program at Hill, a ministry to persons in crisis or with other needs.

She has been recognized several times for her work: In 2000 she was presented with the Air Force Excellence Award for volunteers; she also was awarded the 2004 Air Force Material Command Chaplain Service Civilian of the Year.