Reverend Joseph Holcomb
St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Church
Flushing, NY
Sponsor: Rep. Grace Meng, (D-NY)
Date of Prayer: 09/17/2014
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my colleagues to Father Joseph T. Holcomb , the guest chaplain today.
Father Holcomb serves St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church in Queens, New York.
A native New Yorker, Father Holcomb attended Holy Family Catholic Grammar School, Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, and Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.
He went on to attain a bachelor's degree from Cathedral College in Douglaston, New York. He also received a master's degree in divinity from Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York, and a master's in social work from Fordham University in New York City.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1980 and has been faithfully serving multiple communities ever since. In July 2009, he was appointed as the sixth pastor of St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church and has worked tirelessly to make improvements where possible.
His efforts have led to crucial enhancements in the church and an enriched connection with its parishioners. Father Holcomb's work in the church has touched thousands of lives, and we are so privileged to have him in the Queens community.
Father Holcomb is a pillar of leadership and faith in my district. I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Father Holcomb to the House of Representatives and to thank him for serving as our guest chaplain today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
All powerful and merciful God, we praise You and give You thanks for all Your gracious gifts, most especially the gift of Your infinite and unconditional love.
It is Your gift of love that inspires and drives us to seek peace throughout our Nation and our world to gain an awareness that we share a common destiny which is ultimately transcendent, peace that is not the mere absence of war but as a harmonious coexistence of individual citizens within a society governed by justice, one in which the good is also achieved for each of them.
Help us through Your gift of love to work diligently in these coming days, months, and years to seek peace for all.
May our deliberations in this, the United States House of Representatives, bring about understanding, tolerance, and peace in our great Nation and the world.
We pray this in Your holy name.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory