September 16, 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times
On September 16, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that the "House of Representatives welcomed the first Roman Catholic nun to open the body with prayer" last week. "Sister Catherine Moran, a member of the Dominican Sisters in New Jersey for 55 years, served as guest chaplain and offered the opening prayer at the start of the session, according to the Associated Press...The House chaplain, the Rev. Daniel P. Coughlin, said Moran was the first non-ordained woman to offer the opening prayer in the House. Coughlin is the first Catholic chaplain in the House's history.