Catholic Family Vignettes

I love surprises. So do my parents. This past Sunday, we were most pleasantly surprised by my dear brother. My husband and I returned home from Mass to find his convertible parked out front. We quickly hid the car and my brother, as the parents were just behind us. Needless to say, mom and dad were touched by his desire to share the last few hours of their visit with all of us before their journey back to Kentucky.


I love him dearly...

He had been rather surprised himself, a few days earlier, when we all decided to video the absolute worst rendition of "Happy Birthday" ever recorded and presented it (via email) along with several hysterically funny cards and photos wishing him a most joyous "38th" (HAH!) birthday.

Thank you, dear brother, for the gift you are to all of us. We love you and are so happy you dropped in... Read more!

A most joyous and blessed Father's Day to our spiritual fathers...God's Holy Priests. May your day be filled with happiness and the knowledge that you are loved and appreciated by your "children".

A very happy Father's Day to our own "father"...Fr. Kevin Lutz. We are blessed to call you Father...thank you for all that you do.

Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name.
~ William Wordsworth Read more!

Tomorrow is Father's Day and my children and I will be blessed to spend it with two of the best fathers ever...my husband and my dad. These two men are such beautiful examples of fatherly love and we will all be blessed to spend tomorrow honoring them.


Here is a beautiful prayer for all fathers:

Prayer of Pope John XXIII - for Fathers

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus
and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth
with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations,
their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know
you will understand and protect them.
You too knew trial,
labour and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life,
your soul was full of deep peace
and sang out in true joy
through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you
and with Mary, his tender Mother.
Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them
and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done.

Amen.

May this Sabbath day be filled with the joyful celebration of fatherhood. Blessed be our own Father, God, forever. Read more!