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
12/10/2008
Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin
O Lord of the ages, ever–faithful to Your promises, be with Your people now and forever.
The sun grows dim and the daylight is measured. In the darkness, phantoms loom. The eye cannot discern as the distance fades. Be for us light.
Help Your people make clear judgments; that will propel us into the future. Remove any shadowy cloud so we follow the pattern of silent stars.
O Lord of the ages, ever–faithful to Your promises, be with Your people now and forever.
Amen.
Thought of the Day
“"Advent" does not mean "expectation" as some may think. It is a translation of the Greek word parousia, which means "presence" or, more accurately, "arrival," i.e. the beginning of a presence. In antiquity the word was a technical term for the presence of a king or ruler and also of the god being worshipped, who bestows his parousia upon his devotees for a time. "Advent", then, means a presence begun, the presence being that of God.
– Pope Benedict XVI, Dogma and Preaching (from the excellent compilation, Benedictus; Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI)”
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Featured Events
Advent Reflection with Chaplain Coughlin
12/15/2008, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
HC-8Please join us for an Advent Reflection with Chaplain Coughlin:
"Preparing for the Feast of Christmas: A Time of Hope or Illusion?"
Monday, December 15
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
HC–8, The Capitol
RSVP – Karen.Bronson@mail.house.gov
Questions? call Karen at 6–4835
Sponsored by the Office of the ChaplainFirst Friday Rosary in Ford
12/05/2008, 11:45 am
340 FordPlease join us to pray the Rosary on Friday, December 5 at 11:45 am in Ford 340.
All are welcome. Rosaries and prayer sheets will be provided.
During this short time of prayer, we meditate on the life of Christ through the eyes of His mother, Mary. We always keep in our prayers the needs of Members of Congress and congressional staff.
Sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain. If you have any questions, please call Karen at 64835.
"The experience of the Saints bears witness to it: this popular Marian prayer is a precious spiritual means to grow in intimacy with Jesus, and to learn at the school of the Blessed Virgin always to fulfill the divine will." Pope Benedict XVI