There was only one thing left that I know was in her baggage from Lithuania and it is a prayer book. It is a Catholic prayer book-- we’re a Catholic family and it was printed in 1860 in Lithuanian. And my grandmother brought it to this country because when she left Lithuania in 1911 it was contraband. The Russian czar had taken control of Lithuania and it dictated that no prayer books could be written in any language other than Russian. Well my grandmother as defiant as she was, had this prayer book and she wasn’t going to surrender it-- she brought it with her to this country. It said something about her but it said something about America that she knew that when she came here, her right to practice her religion as she saw it would always be protected by this constitution and this country.

Listen to the entire speech here.

I hope that we show the same tolerance of people and other religions as we would expect of our own. – Senator Dick Durbin, IL (August 30, 2010)

"I would like to extend my best wishes to all those who will begin the celebration of Passover today. This evening, the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt will be retold in countless American households and across the world. Americans of many backgrounds will gather with family and friends to remember the history of the Jewish people, give thanks for their many gifts, and celebrate the historic march toward freedom. The Passover holiday offers us all an opportunity to reflect not only on the challenges of the past but also on the challenges of the present. It is also an occasion to think about what we each can do to improve our society and how we can collectively work to bring about freedom for people around the world. I join all those celebrating Passover in honoring their history and commemorating this important holiday. “

Here’s an excerpt of the President’s remarks:

“…Like some of you, I am the son of a parent who came to these shores in search of a better future. And while I may be the first African American President, there is nothing unique or unusual about the opportunities that this country gave to me. Instead, like generations of Americans, I could count on the basic promise that no matter what you look like, or where you come from, America will let you go as far as your dreams and your hard work will carry you.

”And that promise is at the heart of the American story. It's a story shared by many of you -- by clergy and members of Congress; by business leaders and community organizers. It's the story of every young child who has the opportunity to go farther in life than their parents were able to go. It's the story of a young girl who could rise from a public housing project to be nominated for the highest court in the land. And I am confident that it's a story that will someday be told by the first Hispanic President of the United States of America.

”But we know there is much more work to be done to extend the promise of a better life to all our children and grandchildren. In all that we do, we must be guided by that simple command that binds all great religions together: Love thy neighbor as thyself.

”In the 21st century, we've learned that this truth is central not just to our own lives, but to our success as a nation. If our children cannot get the world-class education they need to succeed, then America will not be able to compete with other countries. If our families cannot afford health care, then the costs go up for all of us -- individuals, businesses, and government. If folks down the street can't pay their mortgage and folks across town can't find a job, then that pain is going to trickle into other parts of our economy.

”And that's why we've come together on behalf of the future that we want to build -- one where all of our children go to the best schools, all our people can go to work and make a living, all our families can afford health care; and prosperity is extended to everybody. Together, we must build a future where the promise of America is kept for a new generation.

”We also know that keeping this promise means upholding America's tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. Those things aren't contradictory; they're complementary. That's why I'm committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform as President of the United States.

”The American people -- the American people believe in immigration, but they also believe that we can't tolerate a situation where people come to the United States in violation of the law, nor can we tolerate employers who exploit undocumented workers in order to drive down wages. That's why we're taking steps to strengthen border security, and we must build on those efforts. We must also clarify the status of millions who are here illegally, many who have put down roots. For those who wish to become citizens, we should require them to pay a penalty and pay taxes, learn English, go to the back of the line behind those who played by the rules. That is the fair, practical, and promising way forward, and that's what I'm committed to passing as President of the United States.”

I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek -- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.

In advance of his speech the White House released this video on Muslim Americans serving in our government;

Dr. Miguel Díaz is a Professor of Theology at St. John's University and the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota. He is the co-editor of the book 'From the Heart of Our People: Explorations in Catholic Systematic Theology' and author of 'On Being Human: U.S. Hispanic and Rahnerian Perspectives,' named 'Best Book of the Year' by the Hispanic Theological Initiative at Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Díaz taught Religious Studies and Theology at Barry University, the University of Dayton and the University of Notre Dame. From 2001 to 2003, he taught and served as Academic Dean at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. He is a Board Member of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA) and Past President of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). Dr. Díaz holds a B.A. from St. Thomas University and a M.A. and PhD in Theology from the University of Notre Dame.

Catholics United supports the President's choice.

The President's nomination of Diaz still will need to go before the Senate for approval.

On Thursday, when he hosts a Seder at the White House, Obama will not only be fulfilling that hope shared during his campaign, he will also become the first sitting president to attend, let alone host, the Jewish ritual feast at the executive mansion.

“To break Matzo, so to speak, in the official White House dining room is historic,” said William Daroff, the director of the Washington office of United Jewish Community.

Almighty God - let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven:

Give us a reverence for all life. Give us a compassion for the most vulnerable among us – the babies, the children, the poor, the sick, the enslaved, the persecuted…for all of those who have been left out of the advantaged world. Give us a zeal to clean the environment we have polluted while we create an economy where everyone who can work can have a job.

Help us to honor those who defend our country by working harder and smarter for peace. Help us to counter those that incite fear and hatred by becoming people who are informed and respectful, and are known for principles and projects that aim higher than our own group’s benefit.

Guide Barack Obama and all of our leaders to be agents of your will and recipients of your wisdom. And grant that all of us citizens will continually do our part to contribute to the common good by loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Now, I interrupt this prayer for a closing instruction: because we are gathered in a country that continues to welcome people of all faiths, let us personalize this prayer by closing according to our own tradition. On the count of three, end your prayer as you would usually do…one, two, three __________ (“in Jesus name”) AMEN!

Let’s go out and change the world for good!

Looking out at this crowd and feeling the energy, I can tell you this: We are making history.

I am here tonight not just as the governor of Virginia who knows the people of my state need a better partner in White House, not just as a Democrat who is tired of politics as usual, but most importantly as an American who wants to see American values guiding our country again.

For eight years we’ve seen what happens when a president lets Washington values become more important than American values. Gas prices skyrocket when the White House lets oil companies call the shots. Our children are left behind when an administration cares more about sound bites than sound schools. And middle-class families are left to fend for themselves to save their jobs, their homes, and their grasp on the American dream.

Maybe for John McCain the American dream means seven houses—and if that’s your America, John McCain is your candidate. But for the rest of us, the American dream means one home—in a safe neighborhood, with good schools and good health care and a little money left over every month to go out for dinner and save for the future.

Does that seem like too much to ask? John McCain thinks it is.

He’ll keep answering to the special interests and Washington lobbyists—we’re ready for leadership that answers to us. And the leader who will deliver the change we need is Barack Obama.

Now folks, it won’t be easy. Change never is. And if we are to succeed, we’ll need a little extra something. The Gospel of Matthew says, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to the mountain ‘move mountain’ and it will move.” My life-long faith deepened when I traveled to Honduras to work with Catholic missionaries after my first year in law school.

Hay algunos Latinos aqui? Estamos unidos, verdad?

I learned from a great mentor there, Brother Jim O’Leary, that faith is about more than words or doctrine—it’s about action. And that led me to spend my life in public service. While I was learning how to put my faith into action in Honduras, Barack Obama was doing the same thing on the streets of South Side Chicago—empowering people to rebuild their communities and reclaim their lives after the steel plants closed down.

Joe Biden has also spent his lifetime putting faith into action—overcoming unspeakable tragedy in his personal life, and as a U.S. Senator making our world safer, our air cleaner, and protecting women from crimes of violence.

For Barack Obama, for Joe Biden, for me, for all of us, the principles of faith call us to service.

With faith in the American dream, we strive for better schools, economic justice, and smarter foreign policies because we believe in the God-given principles of equality, freedom, and opportunity. With faith in each other, we work for a common-sense approach to politics that focuses on results, not partisan division, because we recognize that we’re all in this together.

Aren’t we all tired of a Washington that doesn’t have any faith in us? Fellow delegates, fellow Democrats, and fellow Americans, now is the time to let our faith guide us to action once again.

We need to put our faith into action—to elect a president who will put middle-class Americans first again and reward companies who create jobs in America instead of shipping them overseas.

We need to put our faith into action—to elect a president who will end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and invest in green-collar, clean-energy jobs right here at home.

We need to put our faith into action—to elect a president who will invest in our students, teachers and schools, and make college affordable once again for every American family.

We need to put our faith into action—to elect a president who will responsibly end the war in Iraq, give our veterans and their families the support they need, and reinvigorate our military to face the challenges ahead.

If we put our faith into action, we can move mountains.

We can move the mountains of negativity and division and gridlock.

We can move the mountains of special interests and business as usual.

We can move the mountains of hopelessness that surround too many of our people and communities.

Does anybody here have a little faith tonight? Is anybody here ready to move those mountains?

Starting right here in the Mile High City, we will put our faith into action; we will reject the failed policies of George Bush and John McCain; we will elect Barack Obama our next president.

In the words of the gospel hymn—“move mountain.”

Say it with me—“move mountain.”

Say it with me again—“move mountain.”

Mountain, get out of our way!

To this task, we pledge our hands, our hearts, our devoted service.
We pray this day, for the safety of the valiant men and women of our armed forces
And for the recovery of body and mind of those who have been injured.
And to the families of those who have fallen, in service to our country,
We say, in the traditional Hebrew phrase:
Zichronam livrocha:
May their memory be for an everlasting blessing.

Grant your spirit to these proceedings,
To the delegates gathered here tonight,
And to the millions of viewers and listeners, that they may be stirred to work for a better world.

We pray for America,
That it may ever be a light unto the nations,
A beacon of freedom,
Human rights,
And economic opportunity; the protector of this precious Earth,
Which you have entrusted to our care;
The guardian of Dr. King's dream of equality for all,
Proclaimed 45 years ago this day.

As this election proceeds,
May your name be invoked only to inspire and unify our nation,
But never to divide it.
In that spirit,
We ask your blessing on all the leaders and public servants of our nation,
Of whatever political party,
That they may lead wisely and, with civility, work together for the common good.

And we ask especially that you be with that mighty guardian of the contemporary American conscience, Edward Kennedy.
We ask that you send your blessing on Joseph Biden.

And now, on this historic day, upon Barack Obama,
As he is charged with such urgent responsibilities as candidate for the highest political office in our nation.
Guide him that he may ever be a champion for justice.
These things we ask of you, eternal God, in the light of renewed hope.

May we go forward with confidence,
Inspired by America’s wondrous achievements,
Undaunted by the challenges before us,
Secure in the knowledge that we can be the shapers of a brighter future,
Committed that the torch of hope shall pass from hand to hand,
From heart to heart,
Until the radiance of peace and righteousness for all God's children shines to the ends of the earth.

Amen.

Almighty God, the giver of all that is good and true and noble, we bow our heads before you in thanksgiving for bringing us together at this Democratic National Convention. We offer thanks to you for the great gift of liberty and for the privilege of being residents and citizens of a nation that is called to be a model of justice, peace and the rule of law.

As we give thanks for these blessings, we humbly beseech you, Lord, to remember all of those who have given their lives in defense of these ideals over the course of our nation's history, so that through their sacrifices we may partake of the fruits of freedom which we enjoy today.

Guide the work of all the delegates who have assembled here as they vigorously promote the institutions of our democracy. Remember, Lord, your servants who will be nominated as candidates for the highest offices of our land. Bless them and grant them strength and wisdom, as they work for our nation and for its great mission among the nations of the earth.

Let them be guided by your merciful hand, and thus contribute to the peace, prosperity and security of our country and our world. For you are the source of these great blessings, and to you belong glory and thanksgiving, now and forever and ever.

Amen.

Let us pray.

God of every nation, we give our prayer in gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us as we close this evening’s convention. We give our gratitude to you for the legacy of this nation that our mothers and fathers created and sustained. We cherish freedom and liberty, welcome immigrants, embrace diversity, and savor justice and peace.

God of every voice, we hear a call for a new day. A new day that equals economic opportunities given to widows and orphans. A new day that the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. We hear your call for this nation to wake up to a voice that longs for leadership to be relevant to a new day.

God of justice in times of change, grant wisdom for Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden. May they together lead in continuing the legacy of freedom and liberty. May they lead in bringing sacred change by creating a community that celebrates diversity and difference, that demands justice for all and that seeks peace, not war or violence.

God of grace, grant your blessing on all the delegates and leaders who join in the convention to carry out the responsibility to select nominees to the highest offices of this nation. By your spirit give them grace to listen and grace to speak. Help them to discern where you are leading this country.

God of new creation, now may the new leadership of this country trumpet a new day for this nation and the world so that our young people shall see visions, and our old ones dream dreams.

So that we sing a new song: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

God of hope, we lift up our voice to pray for a vision-filled future for this country. May we build a bridge of harmony among all God’s people. May the work of this convention provide hope for all people of God in the nation.

This we pray in the name of the one who is life eternal.

Amen.

On this day as we gather to renew America's promise, we are keenly aware of the challenges American families are facing. God, people are being hit hard by the economic downturn, the energy crisis and rising food costs, the mortgage mayhem, as well as the absence of affordable housing and healthcare. Parents desire and deserve to be able to give their children quality and affordable education from pre-school through college.

Times are tough; people are struggling; some have lost hope. We know, God, that this is not your perfect will for any of your people. It is your desire that all people have these basic human needs met. It is your desire that all would prosper and be in good health. It is your desire that everyone would be treated with dignity and respect.

As a nation and as a party, we are at a crucial time. We have an opportunity to not only make history, but to bring about change we can all believe in and restore hope to the hearts of women and men. Unite us as a party, oh God. Let us be one in this common purpose, to renew our promise so that we might live out our creed to be one nation under god, with liberty and justice for all.

In your strong and mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Today, I am a 39 year old wife and mother of three children. I work part-time from home. I can't even say this experience is like a dream coming true, because I've never allowed myself to dream so big! I am here today because of Senator Obama.

I first heard of him when my pastor gave me his "Call to Renewal" speech to read. I saw common beliefs, and I wanted to learn more. I read The Audacity of Hope. It was simple and straight-forward, with no political game-playing, just bringing people together so real changes can be made that affect the everyday lives of people like me.

When Senator Obama announced he would run for president, I was thrilled and, for the first time in my life, I decided to get involved. Living in Iowa, we had the opportunity to attend many events and to meet Senator Obama, Michelle and their family. We learned that they are very down-to-earth, genuine people who truly understand our point of view.

When I listened to Senator Obama speak, my children stood next to me, and I understand what he means when he talks about the "fierce urgency of now." If not now, what will our country look like in four or eight years? What will my children's future hold? During the course of this campaign, I have been involved like never before. I am a precinct captain. I go door to door, talking to my neighbors about Senator Obama. I donate money, and I had the opportunity in May to introduce Senator Obama in front of a great Des Moines, Iowa crowd.

Yes, Senator Obama inspired me with his words, but he then motivated me with his good, solid plans for action. He convinced me that I was an important part of making these plans happen. He convinced me that my voice does matter. In fact, he was so convincing that I've decided to go back to college, finish my bachelor's degree and pursue something that I'm now very passionate about– public service!

I am convinced that Barack Obama is the best choice for President of the United States. He has the judgment, compassion, intelligence, perseverance and experience needed to be the next leader of our country.

“We offer Pope Benedict XVI the warmest welcome as he arrives in the United Statestoday. In anticipation of your historic journey, you have been in our thoughts and prayers for a successful visit.

“Your visit comes at a critical time. In the U.S.and across the globe, the gap between the most fortunate and everyone else is widening. So many families are struggling to meet their basic needs. War and violence are prevalent. Immigrant families are being separated. May your message of hope for peace and freedom be heard and inspire us to work on behalf of the common good for all people.”