On the recordJanuary 28, 2020
It is my honor to recognize and nominate today's guest, Father Jeffrey Kirby, to serve as guest chaplain for the noon prayer. Father Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in South Carolina and the adjunct professor of theology at Belmont Abbey College, is a devout follower of Jesus Christ and lives his life as a light unto others. Father Kirby received his bachelor of arts and master's degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville before receiving his doctorate in moral theology from Holy Cross University in Rome. His selflessness led him to enlist in the National Guard during his studies, and he even served on a relief effort for Hurricane Mitch. In 2002, he entered seminary in Rome and was ordained a Catholic priest. He has since served parishes across South Carolina, from Clemson to Walhalla to Seneca to Columbia and now Lancaster. Governor Nikki Haley selected him in 2016 to receive the Order of the Palmetto, our State's highest civilian honor. In His word, and one that exemplifies Father Kirby's life, the Book of Malachi 2:7 reads: ``For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.'' In light of his many years of ministry, it is my honor to welcome Father Kirby as the guest chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. ____________________
