Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron
Archbishop of Agana
Agana, GU
Sponsor: Rep. Hon. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, (D-GU)
Date of Prayer: 09/19/2006
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today, it is my privilege and honor to welcome His Excellency, the Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron , the Archbishop of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, to this House.
Archbishop Apuron is a man of great faith, wisdom and inspiration. He has shepherded the faithful on Guam, the Northern Marianas, Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands for the past 20 years as our archbishop.
The Catholic Church in the Pacific has blossomed under his leadership, and our communities have greatly benefited from his ministry. This past weekend, Archbishop Apuron led a pilgrimage from Guam to Washington, DC, for the enshrinement of Our Lady of Camarin, the Patroness of the Marianas, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Many of these pilgrims, Madam Speaker, from Guam are with us today in the gallery.
I thank Archbishop Apuron for his prayer this afternoon and for his guidance and counsel throughout the years. The people of Guam join me in thanking you, Madam Speaker, and our House chaplain, Father Daniel Coughlin, for the invitation to Archbishop Apuron to serve as guest chaplain.
I thank you. Si Yuos Maase. God bless America and God bless Guam.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty and Eternal God, whose goodness fills our hearts with joy and whose love permeates our daily lives, You are blessed for bringing us together to work in harmony, in peace, and in justice. Send your blessings upon our United States House of Representatives, who generously devote themselves to the work of our Nation and Territories in the laws they pass and the resolutions they create.
In times of difficulty, challenge and need grant them the strength to transcend personal interests and seek only after the common good for all. Strengthen them, Lord, with your grace and wisdom so that everything that they do may begin with Your inspiration, may continue with Your guidance, and, by You be happily ended. Grace us with Your saving presence and aid us with your constant blessing. All glory and praise be to You, our Ever–living God, forever and ever. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory