Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Welcome to Saint Michael the Archangel

Whether you are new to JBLM or visiting, seeking information on the Catholic Church, or returning after time away, you are warmly welcomed. The community exists to serve active-duty Catholics and their families through the sacraments, religious education, and parish life — with multiple Masses every day, regular confession, First Friday Adoration, and a full calendar of ministries and parish groups. Newcomers and inquiries can reach any of the five priests by mobile or email listed on the welcome page.

Clergy & Leadership

The parish is served by a team of five priests, including active-duty Army chaplains and a contract priest. The Pastoral Advisory Council, with elected officers and ministry leads, shepherds parish life and reports through named volunteer leaders. Fr. Marcin Bulinski (Chaplain, MAJ) leads as the senior chaplain, with Fr. Ethel Anarado, Fr. Edward Hoffmann, and Fray Norlito Concepcion serving alongside him; Fr. Alexander Ramos serves as contract priest at Lewis Main Post Chapel. The PAC is led by President Mike Winkler (Adult Education & Faith Formation), Vice-President Morrie Fanto, and supported by council members for Religious Education, Hospitality, Music, and more.

• Fr. Marcin Bulinski — Chaplain (MAJ)
• Fr. Ethel Anarado — Chaplain (CPT)
• Fr. Edward Hoffmann — Chaplain (CPT), Senior Priest
• Fr. Alexander Ramos — Contract Priest, Lewis Main Post Chapel
• Fray Norlito Concepcion — Chaplain (CPT)
• Maria Teresa Correll — Events & Hospitality / Religious Education Program
• Mike Winkler — Pastoral Advisory Council President / Adult Education & Faith Formation
• Morrie Fanto — PAC Vice-President / OCIA POC
• Troy Allison — Music Ministry
• Greg Kaufman — Lector Ministry
• Tom Oroho — Knights of Columbus Lead
• Caroline Shumar — CWOC President
• Alexandria Roche — Catholic Teen Girls Ministry
• Chip & Jennie Dowd — additional council leaders

Catholic Religious Education (CRE)

Faith formation for children and adults is a core mission. The Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) serves Pre-K through 8th grade, and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) welcomes adults seeking to enter the Church. Registration opens for the 2025-2026 school year, with catechist and substitute volunteers always needed. Per AMS policy codified in 2006 (with roots in Canon Law since 1987), only active-duty personnel and their dependents fall under the canonical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese for the Military Services — meaning these programs formally serve the military community, though retired and civilian attendees are warmly welcomed subject to canonical jurisdictional limits.

• OCIC: Pre-K through 8th Grade — POC Maria Teresa Correll ([email protected])
• OCIA (Adults) — POC Morrie Fanto ([email protected])
• Registration form required for each child/family member
• Catechist, assistant, and substitute volunteer opportunities
• AMS Family Witness to Christ online platform (Pre-K–12) supported installation-wide
• AMS Director of Faith Formation: Jose Amaya — [email protected], (202) 719-3600

Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities

St. Michael the Archangel offers a wide range of lay ministries where parishioners can put their faith into action. The community explicitly says 'our community needs you' — inviting newcomers to contact any ministry lead for more information. From the Knights of Columbus to Catholic Women of the Chapel, music and lector ministry, adult faith formation, and teen ministry, there is a place for nearly every interest and availability.

• Knights of Columbus — Four Chaplains Council 10652; meets 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm, JBLM Main Post Chapel
• Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) Evening Group
• Music Ministry — Troy Allison
• Lector Ministry — Greg Kaufman
• Catholic Teen Girls Ministry — Alexandria Roche ([email protected])
• Adult Education & Faith Formation — Mike Winkler ([email protected])
• Events & Hospitality — Maria Teresa Correll ([email protected])
• Pastoral Advisory Council — President Mike Winkler, Vice-President Morrie Fanto
• Parish Church Council
• CWOC meetings in the basement of MPC (Main Post Chapel) at 1800 hours

Baptism at St. Michael the Archangel

Parents wishing to baptize a child should review the published baptism guidelines and contact one of the priests. A Baptismal Instruction class is required, and is held every third Sunday of the month after the 12:00 noon Mass in Room A112 at the Main Post Chapel. Among the requirements, godparents must be confirmed Catholics, at least 16 years old, and (if two are chosen) one male and one female; non-members must provide a Letter of Suitability signed by their own pastor.

• Contact one of the parish priests to begin the process
• Baptismal Instruction: every third Sunday, after the 12:00 noon Mass, Room A112, Main Post Chapel
• Godparent requirements: confirmed Catholic, 16+, active registered parishioner with Letter of Suitability

Marriage Preparation

Couples interested in Marriage Preparation — or in regularizing a civil wedding in the Church — should review the published requirements and contact one of the priests at least six months prior to the desired wedding date. Those who have been married and divorced and wish to remarry or regularize must speak with a priest about their specific situation. Fr. Hoffmann is the listed point of contact to begin the marriage preparation process.

• Contact priest at least 6 months before the requested date
• Begin the process with Fr. Hoffmann (253-312-9610 / [email protected])
• Special pastoral process for those previously married and divorced

Our Beliefs, Mission & Vision

St. Michael the Archangel operates under the canonical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and its primary mission is the pastoral care of active-duty service members and their families through liturgical celebrations, religious education, and auxiliary programs. The community's stated vision is to share Jesus' love especially with the poor, the marginalized, the divorced, the down-and-out, those who hurt others because of their own past hurts, and all in need of spiritual healing — building the kingdom of God through true Christian discipleship. Its focus areas are enhancing the Sunday assembly for Holy Mass, ongoing faith education, and promoting vocations.

• Active-duty service members and dependents are canonical 'subjects' of the parish
• Retirees belong to their local territorial diocese
• DoD civilians, contractors, and State Department personnel overseas are within AMS jurisdiction
• Vision: outreach to the poor, marginalized, divorced, and spiritually wounded
• Focus: Sunday Mass, faith education, vocations