REFLECTIONS ON FATHERS' DAY

A special day to honour fathers and male parenting and their contribution to society is said to have originated in 1910 in the U.S. and has since spread globally. It complements Mother’s Day. In some countries Father’s Day is celebrated in March, on St Joseph’s feast day and in others during June.

Father’s Day specially reminds us of our Heavenly Father, creator of us all, our own fathers, living or dead, who contributed to who we are, and of our Friars, who continue to provide dedicated service to our parish families.

St Joseph, the husband of Mary and Christ’s foster parent, is the patron saint of fathers. He provides one model for fathers to emulate.

Father’s Day also remind us of the important role of single parents in raising families. It also makes us more aware that families do not consist of individuals acting in isolation, but of parents and children in a mutually cooperative and supportive relationship. Thank God for mothers and for all those involved in childcare.

Child development arguably is a product of nature and nurture. Wise choice of parents continues to offer children an advantage in life. There are of course many influences on children apart from parents and siblings. The role of the church, education, peer influence and society all play a part, both positively and negatively.

As an elderly father, my reflections are necessarily retrospective. On today’s more demanding expectations of the role of men in parenting, I would give my performance as a father only a passing grade. Some fathers appear to come ready-made, most of us learn on the job and some few fail to progress in the role. However, one can only do one’s best, but it is important to keep in mind that precepts and values, held up as exemplars, are much more convincing if they are also expressed by action in all aspects of daily life.

Children are remarkably tolerant and perceptive and, given an environment in which love, mutual respect, honesty, integrity and compassion are given due emphases, they seem to flourish, recognising their parents strengths and readily forgiving their shortcomings.

“Honour thy father and mother” remains as an imperative. Father’s Day provides an additional opportunity for fathers to be specially feted. Fathers across Australia are pleased to accept the cards, wishes and gifts expressing the love and appreciation of their children.

Happy Father’s Day to all our dads.

(This week Fr Anthoni invited one of our parishioners to reflect on Fathers’ Day.)

---

MISSION STATEMENT

We, the people of St Francis Xavier’s & St Clare’s parishes, seek to live Christ-centred lives, celebrating God’s presence & our faith values through worship, outreach, service, justice & hospitality.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Pat Cleary
Breta Cohen
Ann-Marie Diggins
Jane D'Souza
Anthony Kennedy
Peter Leonard
Dianna Hardy*
Carmel Purdey*
Christina Sorbello*
Monique Waring*

READ THE...

Naming of Buildings Doc.

DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN here