Reverend Ronald Escalante
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Alexandria, VA
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Jim Moran, (D-VA)
Date of Prayer: 04/18/2002
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to just say a word about the priest who gave our invocation today. Father Escalante was born in the Philippines. He has his Masters in Divinity from Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary in Maryland. He has been the Associate Pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Church for the last 4 years.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, Virginia, has been particularly affected by the events of 9/11. Three of their families lost loved ones, as well as most recently Corporal Matthew Commons was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan while on a mission to rescue a Navy Seal. So that parish has been particularly determined to bring an end to hostility around the world through God's word.
Father Escalante has played an important role in uniting that parish and helping them to get over their grief. We thank him for delivering our invocation this morning.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty and ever–living God, you have revealed your glory to all nations. Through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.
Let the light of your divine power and wisdom guide the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government. They seek to preserve peace, promote national happiness, and continue to bring us the blessings of liberty and equality.
We likewise commend to your unbounded mercy all the citizens of the United States, that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your holy law. And after enjoying the blessings of this life, may we be admitted to those which are eternal.
We pray to you, who are Lord and God, forever and ever. Amen.
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