Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Today we celebrate Father’s Day. It is an opportunity to pause and give thanks for the gift of fathers. It is also an occasion to honour grandfathers, godfathers, stepfathers, and all the men who have shown fatherly love, guidance, and support in our lives. We are grateful for their daily sacrifices, their encouragement, their hard work, and their witness of faith within their families and communities.
Jesus teaches us to call God “Our Father.” This image reminds us of God’s steadfast, patient, and unconditional love. When a father provides for his family, protects them, listens to their concerns, and leads with gentleness and wisdom, he reflects something of God’s own heart. Fatherhood is truly a sacred vocation.
St Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, is a powerful model for fathers today. Scripture does not record any words he said, but he listened, and his actions speak volumes. Joseph was a man of courage, humility, and trust in God. He quietly protected Mary and Jesus, worked diligently to provide for them, and remained faithful in times of uncertainty. His life reminds us that true fatherhood is not measured by authority or achievement but by love, service, and fidelity.
On this day, we pray in gratitude for all fathers, whether living or deceased. We also remember with compassion those who find this day difficult… fathers who are distant from their children, men who long to be fathers, those who grieve the loss of a child, and families where relationships are strained. May the Lord bring healing, comfort, and peace to all those who find themselves in these circumstances.
Dear fathers, through the intercession of St Joseph, we pray that God may grant you patience, strength, and joy in your vocation. May you be inspired by Jesus himself, who shows us that leadership is rooted in love and self-giving.
To all fathers in our parish: thank you for your presence, your dedication, and your love. May God bless you abundantly this Father’s Day and every day.
Happy Father’s Day!
Fr Silvio