Dear Folks,

Happy Father’s Day, and congratulations to all of our recent college and high school graduates!

I think most of you are aware that last weekend the diocese celebrated the ordination of twelve men to the sacred priesthood of Our Lord Jesus. WoooHooo!! We had wonderful gatherings on Tuesday, as Fr. Tim Banach offered the 9am and Noon Masses. It was inspiring to see the lines of parishioners waiting to receive a solemn blessing from the new priest!

Blessings from newly ordained priests are high-octane blessings! And word among clergy is that you have a year to give them out. So, if you travel up to St. James to visit Fr. Tim, ask him for the solemn blessing! And once he arrives here, don’t be shy about asking Fr. Joseph for a solemn blessing as well. Ask, and you shall receive.

Sometimes I reflect that being a pastor has diminished the amount of time I can spend with my parents and siblings; to which my mother would always say, “You are a Father now—take care of your family!” Church law reminds us that the pastor “is to strive to know the faithful entrusted to his care… sharing in their cares, anxieties, and sorrows, comforting them in the Lord.”

These words reflect the Church’s vision of the pastor as the spiritual father of the parish family. What beautiful words to contemplate on Father’s Day. Fathers are called to know their children, to help their gifts blossom, and to share their burdens and joys. Fathers are stewards of their children, because each child belongs to God. This is an awesome responsibility— and yet God will always give us the grace to fulfill the offices entrusted to us.

I often see young couples express a similar awe at the prospect of starting a family. They may say, ‘Wow, we’re not ready yet. We want to get to know each other better.’ Or they express fears about whether they’ll be able to provide. We all fear our inadequacy—or at least we should, if we have any humility. Y et in Christ, all things are possible. Our fears melt away in the loving embrace of our Lord.

Dads: thank you for sharing in our cares, anxieties, and sorrows, and for comforting us in the Lord. May you continue to help us know the Father’s love.

And Graduates: always remember who you are. Stay rooted in the family the Lord chose for you, and in the faith He entrusted to you. The most succinct advice I received in college was: “Remember, you will always have your family.”

Graduates: your fathers, both heavenly and earthly, are proud of you. Hold onto these words of Psalm 149:4, “For the LORD takes delight in his people…”

pax,

Father John Mosimann