The Office of the Chaplain United States House of Representatives

Reverend James Scherer

St. Paul the Apostle Church
Greensboro, NC

Sponsor: Rep. Curt Weldon, (R-PA)
Date of Prayer: 06/08/2000

One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:

Mr. Howard COBLE (R–NC). Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome Father Jim Scherer from Greensboro, North Carolina as our guest chaplain today, although I did not sponsor Father Jim. Father Jim was sponsored by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. WELDON) who this session has, in turn, sponsored Father Jim's nephew. I am delighted to welcome Father Jim Scherer to the House today.

Father Jim serves 3 parishes back in the 6th district of North Carolina. Our Lady of Grace where he conducts weekday mass; and Father Jim, I had the pleasure of addressing the student body at Our Lady of Grace last year; St. Paul the Apostle, and St. Pios for Sunday masses. In addition to that, Father Jim also served as a marriage and family therapist in private practice in Greensboro.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in extending a warm welcome to Father Jim Scherer as our guest chaplain today.

Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:

The Reverend Father James Scherer, St. Paul the Apostle Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, offered the following prayer :

‘‘To do work carefully and well, with love and respect for the nature of our task and with due attention to its purpose, is to unite ourselves to God's will in our work.'' Thomas Merton.

Lord, we have no idea where we are going. We do not even see the road ahead. We cannot know for certain where it will end. The fact that we think that we are following Your will does not necessarily mean that we are. We believe, however, the desire to please You does, in fact, please You. We hope we will never do anything apart from that desire. We know You will lead us by the right road. Therefore, we trust You always that You may lead us and we may not be lost. We will not fear, for You are ever with us, and You will never leave us to face our perils alone. Amen.

To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory