Reverend Steven Thomlison
St. Stephen's Catholic Church
Exeter, NE
Sponsor: Rep. Adrian Smith, (R-NE)
Date of Prayer: 04/13/2016
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome Father Steve Thomlison, and thank him for serving as our guest chaplain today.
Father Thomlison serves as chaplain for both the Nebraska Army National Guard and the Nebraska State Patrol, actually, as well as the FBI, providing support to hundreds of our servicemen and –women, first responders, law enforcement, and their families.
Ordained in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, Father Thomlison pastors the parish of St. Stephen's Church in Exeter, Nebraska, and the mission parish of St. Wenceslaus Church in Milligan, Nebraska.
He did not enter the priesthood right away, but by his mid–thirties, a restless heart and a renewed focus on prayer led him to the seminary. He was ordained a priest at age 41.
It is also important to note Father Thomlison is a proud Cornhusker, having attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
It is my honor to welcome Father Thomlison to the United States House of Representatives.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Good and gracious God, we come before You filled with gratitude for the many blessings You have bestowed upon us. Humbly, we ask for Your forgiveness for when we have chosen the wrong path.
We beseech Your mercy, O Lord, upon our Nation. Rain down from heaven Your holy fire––not a fire of wrath or destruction, but a fire of love, a fire of mercy, and a fire of wisdom so that we may love as You love.
Pour into this Chamber today a spirit of civility, a freshness of renewal, and a bountiful grace of new ideas.
Bless these legislators, their families, their staff, and abundantly bless all those they represent. May the work of this Chamber be guided by Your divine hand.
Hear us, O Lord, for I ask this in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory