Lieutenant Junior Grade Father Mark C. Bristol is a native of Brooklyn, NY and a convert to the Roman Catholic faith at the discerning age of 16. After graduating from High School he enlisted in the United States Navy as an Information Systems Technician in 2002. In 2011, he received a Bachelors degree in Philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Steubenville, Ohio and was commissioned an ensign in the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program. In 2016, he received a Pontifical Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology, a Masters in Divinity, and a Masters in Theology from St. Joseph’s (Dunwoodie) Seminary in Yonkers, NY. On June 4, 2016 he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of
Brooklyn at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn, NY and commissioned an active duty Navy Chaplain on May 30, 2019.

As an enlisted sailor his assignments have included the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), 2002-2007; Camp Lemonnier, Djboti, Africa in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom, 2009-2010; and CTF-69 TUSW, 2007-2009, 2010-2011. As a Navy Chaplain Candidate, he received training at Officer Development School in Newport, RI, July of 2012; Basic Leadership Course Phase 1 at Fort Jackson, SC, July of 2013; and onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), July of 2015. As a parish priest, he served as the parochial vicar of St. Anastasia Parish in Douglaston, Queens, NY, 2016-2019.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars and Navy Good Conduct Medal. He holds additional qualification designators for Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare and Navy Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare.

Fr. Bristol is a member of a number of veteran and civic associations such as the American Legion Post 103, Catholic War Veterans Post #1773 in Bayside NY, Naval Order of the United States and a third-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus Council #2345 in Floral Park, NY. He enjoys singing, dancing, sailing, and laughing. Overall Fr. Bristol, seeks to live a life of service to God and his country and is thankful to be a part of the Sacred Heart OB Family.