Message from the Chaplain
The Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin
To serve as Chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives is truly an honor and a privilege. To be both a minister of the Lord and an officer serving the United States government responds to a twofold call to serve others and offer prayer that unites Heaven and Earth.
With 435 Members in the House and their staffs, plus all the other wonderful people who serve here with committee work or in the Chamber, including teenage Pages, my pastoral duties are many and varied. My goal is to meet the needs of this working community on a personal level. The problems that weigh on hearts and the confusion that at times blocks clarity of thinking become my concerns.
The formal prayer before each legislative session of Congress, and even before days of pro forma sessions, casts a light on the day that awakens faith and calls forth a nation to stand with its leaders and affirm: “In God We Trust.” But daily prayer for the Members of the House cannot end there.
I ask people across this great country to join me in praying for the Members of the House of Representatives. Know the Member of your congressional district by name and raise his or her name before God each day with us here in the nation’s capital.
Pray for me, also, that I may be always rooted in prayer and a good instrument for accomplishing God’s holy will here. Only by being free in the Spirit can I serve all the people here, regardless of their faith persuasion or denomination. Only by listening attentively to each person can I offer good counsel, encouragement, and gentle correction.
Thank you for your interest in and support of the Members of the House.
Opening Prayer
07/21/2008
Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin
Lord of the Heavens, ever Faithful to Earth, You alone see every thing through the prism of time. Before You the present moment is still; it contains the crystal of the past and the seed of the future. Help those in government of this nation to be discerning leaders for us in today's world.
Because we think of ourselves as being free people, Lord, we often deceive ourselves. Sometimes we fail to realize the pressures that push us to hasty decisions. Not truly free of inner compulsions, innate insecurity, and unnoticed external demands, we become paralyzed or inhibited in our advancements.
We need Your saving power, if we are to truly act as Your free children, Heavenly Father. We therefore choose to be Yours now and forever.
Amen.
Thought of the Day
“The mercies of the Lord are greater than our iniquities. He can pardon you more sins than you can commit, as your malice is finite and his mercy is infinite.”
—St. Mother Theodore Guerin
Featured Events
First Friday Rosary in Ford
08/01/2008, 11:45 am
H2-483 FordPlease join us to pray the Rosary on Friday, August 1 at 11:45 am in the Ford building.
Praying the Rosary is a way to reflect on the life of Christ through the perspective of Mary. It only takes twenty minutes for this traditional time of prayer.
We welcome all who are interested, those who regularly pray the Rosary and those who wish to learn. We have prayer sheets and rosaries available.
If you have any questions, please call Karen at 64835 or email her at karen.bronson@mail.house.gov
Sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain.