My father to my Father -- stepping stone not stumbling block

(June 1999)

   When I get home from work my 4 year old son, usually runs out to meet me, then wants to play, play, play.  I love that he wants me to spend time with him.

   I remember looking forward to spending together with my dad and playing games together.  Time is such an important commodity for dads (and moms) and our kids.  What is also incredibly vital is the examples we set, the morals we teach and the yearning for God we show.

   My dad showed my brothers and me that a relationship with God is very important and we needed to help it grow by going to Mass, praying, treating each other with kindness, and caring for each other's needs.

   I (and my wife) teach our son (now both sons) about the importance of a relationship with God.  What we've seen is that he wants to participate at Mass, he enthusiastically prays, and he's excited about helping with CCD classes.  His is the child-like faith which Jesus challenges us to emmulate.

   To see that joyful shine is an inspiration to my faith.  Over the years of helping with St. Michael's Youth Ministry and Our Mother of Confidence ministries, I have seen many of the youth have incredible wonder and awe for our faith.  Many also have a wonderful spirituality that my wonder and awe gets increased.

   You parents are a great blessing in your child's life to be the link to God.  I have talked with many others about how much easier it is to be a Catechist for a student whose parents support the message.

   I am realizing how we are part of each other's faith journey, so we also support each other in our quest for the kingdom of God.  One of the most important things that Jesus did on Earth was to show the importance of a support system.  That first building block was a family, and later extablished the community of Church which is a faith family of families.

   Each parent has a special role in the family.  So we dads have a great responsibility to be the stepping stones; feed their faith, develop their spirituality, and be the examples of faith, hope and love.  God wants the chain to continue, but to do that we are relied on to be the links.

 

Dads, Grandfathers, Godfathers and your Kids --  Have a blessed and happy Fathers Day (June 19th) !