Upon invitation of the President, the following prayer was offered by Senator Glazer, as written by the Chaplain, Sister Michelle Gorman, RSM:
Creator of all that is:
From the words of poet John O’Donohue, we reflect on the blessings of this past session:
This is where our life has arrived
After all the months of effort and toil:
We look back with graciousness and thanks
On all our great and quite achievements.
We stand on the shore of a new invitation
To open our lives to what is left undone.
May our hearts enjoy a different rhythm
When drawn to the wonder of other horizons.
May we have the courage of a new approach to time
May we allow it to slow until we find freedom
To draw alongside the mystery we hold,
And befriend the beauty of our own Soul.
Now is the time to enjoy our hearts’ desires;
To live the dreams we’ve waited for,
To awaken the depths beyond our work,
And enter into our Infinite Source.—AMEN.
(Adapted from John O’Donohue, quoted by Wendy Haynes)
Our thoughts turn to members of the Senate family who passed away this year/session.
They were persons who poured their passion and love for California into their work here in the Capitol.
They were our friends and co-workers; state leaders of enormous reputation and accomplishment; staff and committee consultants who guided us with wisdom and perspective; family members whose love is simply irreplaceable. We remember them today and always.
In the Jewish tradition, I will offer the Mourner’s Kiddish.
But first we remember: Gabe Caswell, Matt Graver, Marc Hanson, Richard Paul,
Tyler Wilcox, Larry Luna, Nouchia Moua, Senator Tom Berryhill, Senator John Dunlap,
Senator Bob Dutton, Senator Gary Hart, Senator Betty Karnette, Senator Robert Lagomarsino,
Senator James Mills, Senator Joe Montoya, and Senator Richard Rainey.
Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba b’alma di-v’ra
chirutei, v’yamlich malchutei b’chayeichon
uvyomeichon uvchayei d’chol beit yisrael, ba’agala
uvizman kariv, v’im’ru: “amen.”
Y’hei sh’mei raba m’varach l’alam ul’almei almaya.
Yitbarach v’yishtabach, v’yitpa’ar v’yitromam
v’yitnaseh, v’yithadar v’yit’aleh v’yit’halal sh’mei
d’kud’sha, b’rich hu, l’eila min-kol-birchata v’shirata, tushb’chata
v’nechemata da’amiran b’alma, v’im’ru: “amen.”
Y’hei shlama raba min-sh’maya v’chayim aleinu
v’al-kol-yisrael, v’im’ru: “amen.”
Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu
v’al kol-yisrael, v’imru: “amen.”
Zichronan liv’rachah. May their memories be a blessing.