Reverend Thomas A. Cappelloni
Holy Name of Jesus Parish
Scranton, PA
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Don Sherwood, (R-PA)
Date of Prayer: 07/25/2001
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to welcome as our guest chaplain Father Thomas Cappelloni of the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank him for that wonderful invocation as well as to offer the Father my congratulations. This year marked 25 years since Father Cappelloni was ordained as a priest and gave his life to God and the community.
Father was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he attended high school and continued his education at the University of Scranton. Then he continued his studies and his desire to become a priest led him to Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary where he earned a master's in systematic theology and in theology in counseling.
When Father Cappelloni returned to northeastern Pennsylvania, he spent time on the faculties of several schools and took the time to guide and counsel young students. He received his first pastoral assignment to St. Martin of Tours in Jackson, Pennsylvania, where he restored the church into a beautiful house of worship and served there until recently when he was transferred to Holy Name of Jesus in Scranton.
Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to say that not only has Father Cappelloni earned the respect of his parishioners for his altruism and kindness but also his peers have recognized his intelligence and wisdom by naming him the Dean of Catholic Clergy for all of Susquehanna County.
Mr. Speaker, the good Father is an accomplished chef, an excellent musician, a host without par and a humanitarian above all. I thank him for being here today. His presence and blessing on this House means so very much to me and the people I represent.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Father, all powerful and everloving God, we praise Your oneness and truth.
We laud You as the God of creation and the father of Jesus our Saviour. He enriches us with His witness of justice and truth. He lived and died that we might be reborn in the spirit and filled with love for all people.
Once You chose a people, gave them a destiny, and when You brought them out of bondage to freedom, they carried with them the promise that all nations would be blessed and all people could be free. What the prophets pledged has come to pass in every generation. Our fathers came to this land as of out of the desert, into a place of promise and hope. In our time You still lead us to a blessed vision of peace.
You guide everything in wisdom and love. Accept the prayer we offer for our Nation. By the wisdom of our representatives and the integrity of this Congress, may harmony and justice be secured in lasting prosperity and peace.
These men and women stretch out their hands to share with You the government of Your holy people. Protect them by Your grace. Look upon this assembly of our national leaders and give them Your spirit of wisdom. May they always act in accordance with Your will and let their decisions be for the peace and the well–being of all.
We ask this through the holy name of our Lord. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory