Gregorio Sablan: “Today, I welcome Father Jesse T. Reyes, from the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Mariana Islands, as our guest…”

“Today, I welcome Father Jesse T. Reyes, from the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Mariana Islands, as our guest chaplain. Father Reyes, or ``Pale Jesse'' as we say in the Marianas, was ordained in 2007. Since then, he has devoted himself to serving our people as the parochial vicar for the parish of San Jose in the village of Oleai. Pale Jesse's ministry also includes serving as chaplain at the adult correctional facility, as vocation director for the diocese, and as the spiritual director for the Christian Mothers and the Divine Mercy prayer group. I am very grateful that Pale Jesse was able to set aside that work for a few days to accept the invitation to be here. This marks the first time that a member of the clergy of the Northern Mariana Islands has offered the opening prayer for the U.S. House of Representatives; and it is, indeed, a great honor for the people of our islands--people of all creeds and denominations. Welcome, Pale Jesse, and thank you for your blessings. ____________________”