Bishop Stephen E. Blaire
Diocese of Stockton
Stockton, CA
Sponsor: Rep. Jerry McNerney, (D-CA)
Date of Prayer: 06/29/2017
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to be joined by a special guest from my district, Bishop Stephen Blaire, who had the privilege of leading us in our opening prayer. Bishop Blaire oversees
the Diocese of Stockton, and he was appointed by Pope John Paul II in
1999, becoming the fifth Bishop of Stockton.
Throughout his career, he has been a staunch advocate for workers'
rights, commonsense legislation to reduce gun violence, and has
promoted and worked towards social justice gains. As a newly appointed bishop, he followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, continuing to address the needs of Spanish–speaking parishioners by bringing more Spanish–speaking priests to the diocese and maintaining the ministry to migrant workers.
I want to leave Members with some words of wisdom from Bishop Blaire that I believe we can all take to heart as we head into the Fourth of July holiday. When he was appointed Bishop of Stockton, he said that
his vision was to build a church that was strong in faith but also strong in service to the community. As we head home to celebrate the
birth of our Nation, let us remember that, as Members of Congress, our
job is to build a government the American people have faith in because of our commitment to serving their needs.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
O God, in this House, many words are spoken just as in our houses of worship.
Grant us, O Lord, the wisdom to speak words that will always be edifying––to build up our Nation as a people.
Let our words not only denounce war, violence, and injustices, but promote all that is necessary for building genuine peace through right relationships.
Let our words not only condemn exploitation, racism, and abuses of wealth, but demonstrate that the cries of the poor and excluded have been heard. Let our words promote building just systems that ensure the common good and protect the inherent dignity of every human life.
Let our words not only lament environmental degradation but promote all that is necessary for respecting the Earth as our common home.
Lord God, grant that our words will always build "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory