Fr. Brankatelli was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland in 2008. During his first assignment at Holy Family Parish in Parma, he encountered an Ohio National Guard soldier who had spent time in Iraq – this prompted a discernment of a call to become a military chaplain. In 2011, with Bishop Lennon’s support, Fr. Brankatelli applied and was accepted into the Military Chaplaincy. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 where he was stationed at Bagram Airfield. From here he traveled to various remote bases to celebrate mass, the sacraments and minister to the soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Following his tour in Afghanistan, Fr. Brankatelli was sent to Arlington National Cemetery for the next two years. He was then sent to Fort Carson, Colorado where he served with Infantry soldiers who were sent to Eastern Europe to support NATO allies. His final assignment was Fort Riley, Kansas, after which Fr. Brankatelli returned to Cleveland and resumed his work as a parish priest. Fr. Brankatelli is currently the Administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in South Euclid.