Fatherhood is a demanding vocation, especially when it comes to raising Catholic kids. The Catechism states: 2225 Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the … Read more
One of the wonderful things I sincerely appreciated about Blessed Pope John Paul II was his love for and commitment to the Catholic family. His love for the family was present in his writings, in his speeches, and in his personal interactions and relationships with the People of God. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris Consortio, … Read more
A good friend of mine, who is a father of five kids, told me about oneof the greatest fatherhood lessons he learned. He has four daughters, all grown now, and they all played softball. This story reminds me of something that is easy to forget in our “serious” world – it’s okay to let kids … Read more
I work a lot, and at the end of the day all I want is a little peace and quiet. Fatherhood can be exhausting. Whether I realize it or not, at times I can easily make it all about me. Yet that selfish attitude reveals, within me, a wrong perspective of justice; it manifests that … Read more
Growing up in a large, Catholic family was an amazing experience and provided the foundation for who I am today. I’ve been blessed with a loving father and mother, who have taught me through their words and by their example. They are models of prayer and faithfulness to the Catholic Faith they profess. Life hasn’t … Read more
“Do not be afraid! Open, open wide the doors to Christ!” Blessed John Paul II continues to call us. He calls us to have courage and to respond generously to Christ. He calls us to entrust our lives to Mary, who always carries us to Christ, her Son. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in … Read more
THE DIVINE MERCY Caught up in the joy of Easter, the Church now calls us to contemplate our Lord’s Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, is the perfect time for me, and all fathers, to reflect on the practical application of the Divine Mercy in our everyday lives. A little history … Read more
Children and sharing. What parent doesn’t want their children to share? I can still hear my mother’s urgings – “Share with your brothers.”…“Son, there’s plenty for all. Please share with the other kids.”…Stop hoarding all the toys! If you can’t share, I’m going to put them away. As I became a man, I thought I had … Read more
On a Nov 3 Beliefnet.com post, Deacon Greg Kandra commented on John Boehner, the man expected to become Speaker of the House, with this provocative title: Washington’s most powerful Catholic? He offered some highlights from Boehner’s upbringing: He was reared in a two-bedroom Sears catalog house in suburban Cincinnati with 11 brothers and sisters, and … Read more
