Fr Antonio Pineda
appy Father’s Day to all who are fathers or grandfathers or stepfathers in our parish! According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the vital importance of the father’s role comes from the fact that, with his wife, he co-operates with God the Creator in bringing a new human life into the world.
A favourite gift for Father’s Day is a mug emblazoned with the words “World’s Greatest Dad.” There is one dad, however, who doesn’t always get a lot of honour on Father’s Day. That is the “World’s Greatest Dad,” our Heavenly Father (Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:6). He is our spiritual Daddy, actively involved in all areas of our lives. It is He on Whom we lean in times of pain and hurt; it is He on Whom we call in times of need; it is He Who provides for us in all ways — practical, emotional, and spiritual. He wants us to think of Him as “Dad.” This being so, let us take this Father’s Day to honour Him, the REAL “World’s Greatest Dad.”
Many of us pray the “Our Father” day after day, without paying attention to, or experiencing, the love and providence of our Heavenly Father. Let us pray the Our Father during this Holy Mass realising the meaning of each clause and experiencing the love of our Heavenly Father for us. May all earthly fathers draw strength from their Heavenly Father!
A personal plea from me: on this Father’s Day, please don’t forget to pray for priests – men who are called to be Fathers of an immensely large parish family through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.