In light of the devastating effects of absentee or otherwise uninvolved fathers on families and society, a growing number of organizations and ministries are working to strengthen fatherhood.
Catholic Father’s Day is a movement of Catholic laymen promoting Jesus Christ as the center of living virtuous lives as fathers. Their work is meant to inspire men to sacrifice and accountability, involvement with their children, and continuous prayer.
A major factor lacking in the lives of children today is faith. Tragically, many Catholic fathers have fallen away from their faith, and don’t consider it a priority to raise their children as Catholics. Although many of these dads have their child baptized, they don’t follow through on the commitment to faithfully raise their child Catholic. They don’t understand the crucial role they play in bringing their child to God. The research found by the New Evangelization Project shows that, while a mother’s faith is important, whether or not a child continues in the faith is largely dependent on how the father practices his faith.
During this Year of St. Joseph, patron saint of fathers, Catholic Father’s Day is promoting Eucharistic processions, “to inspire Catholic men to their great and noble call as Catholic fathers.”
The website explains the purpose: The idea is simple: gather Catholic fathers and their families together once a year in June to renew their commitment to the heroic call to be Catholic fathers and to give glory to God the Father, to proclaim their commitment to Jesus Christ through Eucharistic processions, to draw down the Holy Spirit to strengthen men in faith and to seek the intercession of St. Joseph, the patron saint of the Church, Fathers and Families.
Already the organization has Eucharistic processions scheduled this month in Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, and California. The month of June is encouraged because it is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as the month of Father’s Day. Catholic Father’s Day provides the steps and resources involved in planning a Eucharistic procession in local communities. The organization also provides inspiring resources for fathers, ministry leaders, and others.
Since God the Father Almighty created the first man, He has called men to the heroic role of fatherhood, men who sacrifice themselves to lead, protect and provide for their wives and children,” Catholic Father’s Day encourages.
EWTN, Rosary Coast to Coast, U.S. Grace Force, and the Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance were among the sponsoring organizations of the Eucharistic processions. Complete steps for arranging a Eucharistic procession in your community can be found at the www.CatholicFathersDay.com
Another effort to urge strong and sacrificial fathers was the first-ever Men’s March, held on Saturday, June 12th, in Washington D.C. The focus of this event was the crucial role fathers play in an unplanned pregnancy, and to call attention to the devastation of abortion on families, and encouraging fathers to choose life for their children.
The pro-life march began in front of a D.C. late-term abortion center and proceed to the White House. Marchers were asked to wear a suit. No signs will be held. Just one simple banner will declare, “Let’s Stop Murdering Our Pre-born Children.”
While many people are aware of the documented effects of abortion on mothers, a growing number are recognizing the impact on men, sometimes years later. The impact can include severe depression, relationship problems, rage, substance abuse, even suicide. The Men’s March had the support of Bishop Strickland, who tweeted,
Let us support this important March. It is time for men to take the lead in defense of life. We must protect the unborn, all women, and all who are harmed by the diaboloical abortion machine.
Speakers for the Men’s March included Msgr. Charles Pope, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Walter Hoye, Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute, Rev. Dr. Clenard H Childress, Baptist pastor, and Dr. Michael New from the Charlotte Lozier Institute.
Fr. Imbaratto, a post-abortive father from his years before becoming a Catholic priest with a pro-life ministry, encourages men to be the best they can be.
All men are called to spiritual fatherhood … not all [are] called to become priests, but to be ‘fatherly,’” he said, adding, “They are called “to be protectors of women, to be protectors of children, to be mentors, to be wise men.
Men’s March founder Jim Havens asks:
Thousands of children are being murdered every day, under our watch. Now is the time to invite men to really face that—to repent and begin again with God. What are we going to do going forward?
An initiative for men, Fathers for Good, founded by the Knights of Columbus is promoting a much-needed countercultural image of fathers. As a response to the often negative picture portrayed by media, sports, alcohol companies, music, and other aspects of our culture. fathers are urged and inspired to be protectors, loving husbands, and involved dads.
With 23% of children under 18 living without their biological father (according to 2006 Census info), being involved and being responsible are bigger issues than they are for intact families (Fathers for Good website). Research continually shows (on the Fathers for Good website) the essential role of fathers in their children’s lives that should be a wake-up call to the dads who may be too casual about their involvement. The irreplaceable impact in their kid’s lives shows up in education, income, abuse, mental and physical health, drug use, sexual activity, pregnancy, and almost every other social indicator.
A series of features on “Courageous Dads,” highlight men living as devoted fathers in spite of significant challenges including physical distance, financial struggles, and major stress. Other articles and podcasts explain how children take in everything they see in their dads from their commitment to their marriage, how time they spend in front of screens, how they handle stress and anger, and managing money.
One major factor that has an overwhelmingly disastrous effect on fatherhood and marriage is pornography. Several former porn addicts (including a deacon) address this scourge on the Fathers for Good website and give steps to guide other men away from the vice. Not only do men who use pornography have less time for their kids, but those kids are also at risk of discovering their father’s pornography use and developing a distorted view of women, sex, and marriage. Common sense wisdom that children benefit when fathers love their wives is presented along with tips such as balancing discipline with fun, going to church and praying together, and honoring their mother.
Fathers for Good presents St. Joseph as an intercessor for fathers, and one to emulate. In 1989 Pope John Paul II held up the husband and Mary and adoptive father of Jesus as a model of modern manhood by issuing an apostolic exhortation on him and the Catholic understanding of fatherhood – Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer: On the Person and Mission of St. Joseph in the Life of Christ and the Church ).
Let us continue to ask St. Joseph to guide the fathers around us to responsibility, sacrifice, and the raising of their children as practicing Catholics.
1 thought on “Growing Movement Inspires Strong Fathers”
Pingback: TVESDAY EDITION – Big Pulpit