Reverend Kevin Gormley
St. Peter Church
Marshall, MO
Sponsor: Rep. Ike Skelton, (D-MO)
Date of Prayer: 09/29/2005
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to introduce to my House colleagues our guest chaplain, Father Kevin Gormley, pastor of the St. Peter Catholic Church in Marshall, Missouri. Father Gormley was born in Ireland and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College and Seminary in Dublin. Following his ordination in 1964, Father Gormley came to the United States. Since that time, he has spent 41 years serving in the parishes of Central Missouri where he is widely known, highly respected, and very much loved. Father Gormley became an American citizen in 1975. In July, 2000, he became the pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Marshall, Missouri where he currently serves and resides.
Father Gormley also serves as pastor of Holy Family Church, Sweet Springs, Missouri, and as the administrator of St. Peter School. Father Gormley also serves the community as a member of the Ministry of Alliance and as the Catholic Chaplain for the Marshall Habitation Center.
I thank Chaplain Coughlin for his kind invitation to Father Gormley to offer the opening prayer, and would like to thank Father Gormley for traveling to our Nation's capital to be with us today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
God, Creator of all life. We bow our heads and ask your guidance to carry out the awesome responsibilities we have before us. May we be at peace among ourselves and at peace individually with the decisions we have made. As we serve here in the hallowed House, keep us aware that we have our family house demanding our time and attention.
We celebrate the sixtieth year since the end of World War II. President Harry S. Truman, from my great state of Missouri, had to make tough decisions at a difficult time in our country's history. He started his presidency by making the prayer of Solomon his own prayer –
"Give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to lead this great people of yours?"
Father, may we who are leaders in this great nation turn to you for guidance and listen to your response as we seek a lasting peace in our troubled world.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory