Photo By Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner | Chaplain (Capt.) Leo Moras stands during a Catholic Mass for the Soldiers of the 68th...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Conner
15th SB, Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – To the Soldiers of the 68th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, Chaplain (Capt.) Leo Moras' trademark smile usually precedes a handshake or an update to the care package pile outside his office.
These are his Soldiers, he says. He trained and deployed with them; anything he can do for them, he will. Be it providing the contents of care packages sent by stateside supporters or just talking briefly with Soldiers, Moras energetically looks out for his "Stagecoach" troops.
Service to others has been a constant for Moras, a Catholic priest from Bantwal, India. The oldest of six, few prospects were open to the son of a poor farmer after finishing high school. Entering the priesthood seemed a good fit for a young man determined to help others. It must have run in the family. Moras has two sisters who became catholic nuns.
"My father jokes that it's a fifty-fifty contribution; three to the world and three to God," he laughs.
After gaining a reputation as an outspoken seminarian, a priest once confronted him, asking if he wanted to be a priest or a politician. Moras took the task of building Saint Thomas, the Apostle church in Jaipur, India.
But the creation of a new school, parish, rectory and convent from scratch took its toll on the priest.
"I was a one-man band," said Moras. "With no one to help, I just got burned out, to the point of collapse."
Vacation time, a passport and friends in America provided Moras the opportunity to make a break for it. Unknown to family and friends, the Indian priest boarded a plane to Lubbock, Texas.
"No one knew," he laughed. "Not even my great-uncle, the bishop (of the Indian diocese)."
Upon arriving in the Lone Star state, Moras became a commodity to the catholic community. With the current priest out of commission from hip surgery, Moras took over the parish of Saint John Newman.
A Texan bishop rewarded Moras' work by giving him his own parish in Snyder, Texas. Once again, he found himself at the head of both a church and a school.
"I was doing the same thing I was doing in India," said Moras. "I wanted to do something for others outside (of the catholic faith). I was training people, but I wanted to serve people."
That strong desire for service lead Moras to the Army and the Chaplain Corps. He secured permission, from both his bishop in India and in Texas, to trade his white clerical collar for the digital pattern of the Army combat uniform.
"Here I am," he grins. "I am serving Soldiers and I am taking care of people all over the world."
Now on his second deployment to Iraq, Moras makes sure that his Soldiers are "fully-loaded" before departing the wire on missions. He printed and distributed more than 12,000 prayer cards to troops and family members. In keeping with the unique sustainment and logistical missions of the 68th CSSB, Moras came up with the "Convoy Prayer."
"I've come to know the troops and I came to know their mission," he explained. "Constantly on the road, I know how dangerous it is; how they really rely on the mercy of God."
Moras now spends his days ministering to the Soldiers of the 68th CSSB, doing what he can to provide comfort and support. In return, he asks for only one thing.
"Now I know the power of prayer," he smiles. "I don't ask for big things, I just ask for one 'Hail Mary' from everyone I meet." For Moras, great things always start from humble beginnings.
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.29.2007 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 9674 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 904 |
| Downloads: | 747 |
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