Reverend Joseph V. Brennan
St. Linus Church
Norwalk , CA
Sponsor: Rep. Grace Napolitano, (D-CA)
Date of Prayer: 05/06/2004
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay homage and recognize our guest chaplain today, a gentleman who has been our pastor in our church for the last 12 years.
He was born in the San Fernando Valley in California on March 20, 1954, the ninth out of 10 children to Roger and Helen Brennan of Van Nuys. He was born again through Sacrament of Baptism on April 18, 1954, celebrating this year 50 years as a Catholic.
This June 21 he will be celebrating his 24 years as a priest. He graduated from St. John's Seminary College in 1976. He was ordained as a priest from
[Page: H2660] GPO's PDFSt. John's Seminary Theologate in 1980 and is a priest in good standing with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He served with Cardinal Roger Mahony at the old Cathedral Church of St. Vibiana for 5 years.
His current assignment, we are sorry to see him go because he has brought our parish together and is adored by all of the children of the school and those that go to our church, will be assigned as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in San Pedro on July 1. We are very happy he was able to spend some time with us today and offer the blessings to the House.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much for allowing Father Brennan to give the morning prayer, and I thank Father Brennan for the ability to be here and our resident chaplain for allowing him to be here.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
The Reverend Joseph V. Brennan, St. Linus Church, Norwalk, California, offered the following prayer:
Dear Lord, in many and varied ways You have been compared to a shepherd who carefully watches over his flock. You shepherd us by example, Lord, seeking out those who are lost and protecting the flock with Your very life. So lead us and guide us this day to pastures of truth, goodness, and justice. Guide our feet into the way of peace.
Bless these chosen ones in this House. Give them wisdom and the spirit of courage and of right judgment. Bless the work of their hearts and hands and keep our beautiful country always in Your loving and tender arms. We ask all of this with confidence in Your love for You live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory