June 16, 2024

Dear Parish Family,

Happy Father’s Day! Today we honor all our fathers – those living and those deceased, those fathers who have lost a child, our spiritual fathers, and all who fill a fatherly role. Pope Saint John XXIII said this: “It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.”  So what is a real father? 

A father is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again. A father is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes but instead sometimes lets you find your own way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt. A father is someone who holds you when you cry, corrects you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail. And even when a father dies, the bond of father and child does not end. That connection of love cannot be destroyed. He watches over you and prays for you to our Heavenly Father, our Almighty God!

Here is a special prayer for Father’s Day. 

God our Father,
In your wisdom and love you have created us and called us your own.

Bless our fathers, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers.

Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. In moments of joy, rejoice with them.

In times of struggle, give them your courage and perseverance.

Grant that we, their sons and daughters,

may honor and appreciate them always with a spirit of profound respect.

May the example and prayer of St. Joseph inspire them to live their vocation with courage.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Father Neil Sullivan