From the Pastor’s Desk:

This year as we honor and celebrate St. Joseph the foster father of Jesus, we are celebrating a man who said yes in a very difficult situation. Joseph (take Mary as your wife even though she is carrying a child which is not yours, care for the child as if he is yours, he is the Son of God, oh and by the way leave everything and run for your life with your family because the king wants to kill him). Joseph said yes to be that loving and caring father. He is an example for all fathers today.

This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a day set aside to honor and show respect to our dads or to any man who has guided and cared for us as a father, whether they are here or no longer with us. Father’s Day was first proposed in 1909 by a Mrs. Dodd who wanted a special day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran. He was a widower who raised his newborn and five other children on a rural farm in the state of Washington.

Being a father means facing many struggles and difficulties. It means going to work, even when you prefer to stay in bed, because you know that your family depends on you. It means disciplining your children so that they might grow up to be mature men and women. It means constantly looking out for your family, making every effort to ensure that they are protected.

Thank God we have a Heavenly Father who does all this and helps the fathers here on earth to do the same. Not a single sparrow falls to the earth without the Heavenly Father’s consent, says the Gospel; thus, our earthly fathers are under our Heavenly Father’s care and support. God our Father protects and nurtures His children, and makes His family a house of love.

Take some time this weekend to remember your dad, whether living or deceased. Thank him for all that he has done for you–for all the time he spent on your projects, being with you in many of your school activities, and for providing the examples of faith and love.

Also I ask you to remember in prayer all the different priests and parishes which will be effected because of the priest changes this next month. I have been asked, “Why does the Bishop transfer pastors around?” There are several reasons, but one of strongest is that it is healthy for parishes and priests, as we each have our gifts and talents and they may not be the best in one parish, whereas they would be good in another parish. The bishop and his advisors look to the good of the Diocese and need of the people.