A Congressional Salute
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
As he sat in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral May 22 waiting for the Mass to begin celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith’s priestly ordination, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith talked about how he was looking forward to honoring the man he calls a mentor and friend on the floor of Congress.
On June 15, Congressman Smith made good on that remark as he took to the podium and read into the record a tribute to Bishop Smith’s “amazing 50 years” of priestly ministry.
For more than five minutes, the congressman lauded the bishop as a priest who “not only radiates the love of Christ” but “works hard and smart…” a man he described as gifted with abundant faith, abiding concern for all he serves and of course, great humor.
“Bishop Smith’s uncanny ability to infuse humor and hope-filled lightheartedness into almost all things is not only entertaining,” Smith said, “but makes presentation of the Gospel to an often confused and stress out world more efficacious.”
The congressman, known for a 28-year legislative career in which the signature issues have been the right to life and human rights, offered glimpses of the time he has shared with Bishop Smith over the years. He noted from personal experience how “Bishop Smith connects amazingly well with youth. I’ve witnessed it many times at schools and at the Catholic Men’s Rally,” an annual event in the Trenton Diocese.
“Bishop Smith has an uncanny way of challenging everyone – especially our young people – to faithfully and courageously live the Gospel.”
He spoke of the broad scope of Bishop Smith’s education and service as a gifted parish pastor, teacher, auxiliary bishop, leader in civic and humanitarian causes and, as spiritual head of the Trenton Diocese, a shepherd with an ability to identify issues, priorities and goals in a critical time for the Church and society at large.
The congressman closed by saying how glad he and his wife, Marie, were to be among those offering prayers of thanks at Bishop Smith’s jubilee Mass.
“We rejoiced with his family and friends for his accomplishments that are without number. We rejoiced over his bold, consistent and compassionate commitment to defending unborn children, their mothers and the sanctity of life. We rejoiced and were inspired anew by his life well lived.”
On June 17, the congressman came to the pastoral center to present Bishop Smith with a framed copy of the tribute he had read into the Congressional Record and the flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in “celebration of the extraordinary ministry and accomplishments” of his 50 years of priestly ministry.[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
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As he sat in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral May 22 waiting for the Mass to begin celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith’s priestly ordination, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith talked about how he was looking forward to honoring the man he calls a mentor and friend on the floor of Congress.
On June 15, Congressman Smith made good on that remark as he took to the podium and read into the record a tribute to Bishop Smith’s “amazing 50 years” of priestly ministry.
For more than five minutes, the congressman lauded the bishop as a priest who “not only radiates the love of Christ” but “works hard and smart…” a man he described as gifted with abundant faith, abiding concern for all he serves and of course, great humor.
“Bishop Smith’s uncanny ability to infuse humor and hope-filled lightheartedness into almost all things is not only entertaining,” Smith said, “but makes presentation of the Gospel to an often confused and stress out world more efficacious.”
The congressman, known for a 28-year legislative career in which the signature issues have been the right to life and human rights, offered glimpses of the time he has shared with Bishop Smith over the years. He noted from personal experience how “Bishop Smith connects amazingly well with youth. I’ve witnessed it many times at schools and at the Catholic Men’s Rally,” an annual event in the Trenton Diocese.
“Bishop Smith has an uncanny way of challenging everyone – especially our young people – to faithfully and courageously live the Gospel.”
He spoke of the broad scope of Bishop Smith’s education and service as a gifted parish pastor, teacher, auxiliary bishop, leader in civic and humanitarian causes and, as spiritual head of the Trenton Diocese, a shepherd with an ability to identify issues, priorities and goals in a critical time for the Church and society at large.
The congressman closed by saying how glad he and his wife, Marie, were to be among those offering prayers of thanks at Bishop Smith’s jubilee Mass.
“We rejoiced with his family and friends for his accomplishments that are without number. We rejoiced over his bold, consistent and compassionate commitment to defending unborn children, their mothers and the sanctity of life. We rejoiced and were inspired anew by his life well lived.”
On June 17, the congressman came to the pastoral center to present Bishop Smith with a framed copy of the tribute he had read into the Congressional Record and the flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in “celebration of the extraordinary ministry and accomplishments” of his 50 years of priestly ministry.[[In-content Ad]]