Priest in Gibson prepares for tour in Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Priest in Gibson prepares for tour in Iraq
By Matthew Pleasant - The Courier via Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Dec 10, 2009 18:52:22 EST

HOUMA, La. — Before the Rev. Van Constant trades his parish for a combat zone next year, he has packing to do.

It includes Bibles, rosaries, vestments and a small supply of wine, which he expects is hard to come by in the Muslim world.

The priest at Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Gibson leaves Jan. 5 for Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss., where he'll complete a two-month training before deploying to Iraq with the Louisiana Army National Guard.

He serves as the sole Catholic priest among chaplains traveling with the 256th Infantry Brigade's more than 3,000 troops.

Working among soldiers in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina inspired him to join the military as a chaplain. Anxiety about leaving is a given, he said, but his job is less dangerous compared to that of the soldiers he'll counsel.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_chaplain_121009/