By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Considering it was his first visit to the nation’s capital, it’s easy to see why the Rev. Joseph R. Paquette would find his recent trip to Washington, DC to be memorable.

However, it was his reason for being there, an invitation to attend the 57th National Prayer Breakfast from Congressman Patrick Kennedy, that has the St. Teresa’s Church pastor on a “high” that he says he still hasn’t come down from.
“It was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. There were over 150 countries represented and people from every possible religion you can think of,” said Father Paquette. “We all prayed together to one God. It was a tremendous experience.”
Kennedy asked Father Paquette and the Rev. Robert F. Hawkins, pastor of St. Luke’s Parish in Barrington, to be his guests at the Feb. 12 event held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. Both pastors are from Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District.
The National Prayer Breakfast was initiated during the Eisenhower Administration by members of Congress.
It is one of the few annual events attended by members of all three branches of the federal government including the President, the Vice President, Congressional leaders, and Supreme Court Justices.
In a press release issued prior to the trip, Kennedy stated that he was “honored to have Father Paquette and Father Hawkins, two thoughtful and highly regarded spiritual leaders, join me for this special annual event.”
 He added, “The breakfast is an opportunity to come together with people from all over the world to recognize a shared sense of faith and spiritual enlightenment.”
Indeed, Father Paquette noted the diversity just among the group of guests seated at his breakfast table.
He listed Congressman Jack Kemp, Jr. and his wife, Joanne, who are involved in an initiative to strengthen  marriage; church leaders from the Republic of the Congo, “a wonderful young couple” who had been missionaries in Asia and the Sudan, and a Lutheran Bishop from Germany as just some of the interesting people he was able to chat with over juice and coffee.
“We all had something in common. Everyone who was there is trying in some way, somehow, to bring the message of the Scripture to the world. We are all against evil, and for promoting peace and harmony,” said Father Paquette. “I’ve never had that kind of experience before.”
President Barack Obama, a keynote speaker,  and his wife, Michelle, were present, although Father Paquette said he didn’t get to meet the president personally. He did, however, meet Tony Blair, Britain’s former Prime Minister. “I got to shake hands with him,” Father Paquette said.
President Obama and Blair each gave a talk on the subject of faith--what it means to them based on their own experiences and the importance of faith in today’s world, said Father Paquette. There were also several church leaders who were selected to offer prayers in their respective religions, as well as performances by Gospel singers that Paquette described as “magnificent.”
One especially moving moment for Father Paquette was when two spiritual leaders from a Cherokee Indian tribe recited the “Our Father” prayer in both Cherokee and English, alternating the verses.
The breakfast itself featured simple fare, with an array of pastries, breads, muffins, croissants and other baked good, along with coffee, juice and tea. Father Paquette said he had heard that an estimated 3,000 were in attendance. “I think the event was bigger than ever this year because of the new President,” he observed.
Father Paquette described Kennedy, his host, as “gracious,” noting that he introduced him and Father Hawkins to numerous dignitaries during the event. In addition, upon learning that it was Father Paquette’s first time in Washington, he gave the pastor a tour of the Capitol building. “I was only there two days, but I got to see some of the sights,” said the pastor.
Father Paquette, who was ordained in 1978, has been pastor of St. Teresa Church for the last nine years and also serves as the administrator of St. Teresa School. He was also a missionary for 24 years at LaSalette Center and currently serves as the State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.
This April, Paquette is slated to receive the Distinguished Pastor’s Award from the National Catholic Educational Association.