JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The priest’s combat boots popped out from below his vestments. A choir member was wearing his PT uniform; another, his Navy camouflage. M-4 rifles tucked under seats. The homily was interrupted by the roar of fighter jets screaming overhead.

Welcome to Sunday Mass, Iraq war-style.

About 100 people crammed into Provider Chapel – a prefabbed building under a mortar-proof roof – for the services. It certainly wasn’t Saint Peter’s Basilica, but organizers made it seem as church-like as possible, with statues of Jesus and Mary displayed against the gray walls and a choir featuring a keyboard and a clarinet.

The crowd was a mix of service members in uniforms, American contractors in jeans and polos shirts and several Ugandans, who provide security around the base.

The priest spoke of letting God’s plan take its course. He used language that appealed to the service members in the congregation; he began with an anecdote about watching the Super Bowl replay on Armed Forces Network Television after a middle-of-the-night patrol.

Milspeak was a constant during his homily.

"The victory is already won, brothers and sisters," he said, talking about eternal salvation. "The victory is already won."