Spiritual Fatherhood

Next week at this time, many will be celebrating Father's Day! This "Hallmark made holiday" leads to sentiments across social media platforms with words of affirmation and love for all of our fathers, those in heaven and those still here on Earth. Today, since I will be in the Holy Land on Father's Day, my sisters and I spent some time with my dad celebrating Father's Day outdoors on his property. A picnic was prepared by him and we rode on some of the trails he has created on his land.

Outdoor picnic with Dad in the woods! 

Adam driving the ATV on the trails!

I have been thinking a lot, recently, about all of my fathers. Sure, I have one dad here on Earth, and one Heavenly Father, but my Heavenly Father has blessed me with countless spiritual fathers throughout my life that have helped to shape and mold who I am today. I think back to when I first moved to Cincinnati. We were parishioners at St. Columban in Loveland, Ohio. Fr. Terry Smith was our pastor, and we loved him. I so clearly remember receiving communion from him for the first time. I remember him lovingly hearing my confessions as a child, wittingly entertaining us with anecdotes prior to getting to the "meat" of his homilies during the school masses, and visiting with him during Sunday coffee and donuts. His joy was palpable and his heart for his parish was known. As we moved and changed parishes, his absence was felt, and on the rare occasions we would see him around, he always called us by name and spoke with us about how things were going. Sadly, he lost his battle to cancer two years after retiring, but I know I now have a spiritual father interceding for me in heaven.

Fr. Terry Smith

 A few years ago when I was on playground duty at St. Margaret of York, I recall seeing our pastor driving in his car with a a very young priest. My curiosity was peaked, and just a week later I came to find out, with the rest of our parish, about the arrival of Father James Brooks. I slowly got to know Fr. James through daily Mass. He took time to help my good friend and I plan an epic pilgrimage to Rome to see our new Holy Father, Pope Francis! Throughout the next few years, Father James truly became my spiritual father, as he did to many parishioners, when he gathered in homes to share the faith, heard confessions, and provided some vocational discernment direction for me. Like any father, he cared deeply for his children and their souls and beautifully represented Jesus to all those whom he encountered. To the children at SMOY, he became their hero as he challenged them to live our the gospel. From dressing up as Olaf during Catholic Schools Week, to visiting classrooms, he made a deep impression on the hearts of my kids. Fr. James now intercedes on behalf of all of his children in heaven, and his lasting impact will be felt for many years to come.

Fr. James as Olaf during Catholic Schools Week!

Fr. James visiting our classroom on All Saints Day to hear the kids' saint presentations!

 Our Lord is never outdone in generosity, and He continues to call men today to the role of spiritual father as priests. In fact, just today, Fr. Tim Fahey, like any father, called his children on to not settle for mediocrity and be content with what we have. Rather, we are called to bring others into the communion of love that we experience on a daily basis.T his young priest inspires the kids of SMOY and even joins them for a game of chess during Chess Club!  Fr. Eric Roush, who will marry my fiancé and I in a few short months, challenges me to continue to grow in discipleship and stepping out of my comfort zone to pray with and for people the moment they ask for prayers.

Fr. Eric Roush and Fr. Tim Fahey with their classmates on ordination day! 

Fr. Tim joins my kids for Chess Club! 

 Like any father, spiritual fathers are entrusted with a precious gift from Our Father in Heaven. What a truly beautiful, yet humbling and challenging responsibility it is! On this Father's Day, let's take time to thank our spiritual fathers and thank them for the gift they are in our lives. May we also pray for all of our fathers, that they may have the grace to, like St. Joseph did,  foster in their children a love of the Lord, their Heavenly Father.

 Blessings,
Julie