Prayer for our fathers
God our Father,
in your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless these men,
that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
may honour them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Father’s Day – The Gift of Fatherhood
This Sunday we celebrate Father’s Day. Over the last couple of years, a lot has been written regarding the removing of these days from our calendar and celebrations, especially with the rise of a gender ideology that promotes an absence of distinction between man and women. However, our Catholic Faith in her wisdom sheds light on the beauty of the ‘gift of fatherhood’ (and motherhood for that matter) that should be celebrated.
Focusing on the gifts that fathers bring to their relationship with their wives and children allows us to see the wonderful contributions men as husbands and fathers can make to their family and society.
In 1981 St John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter Familiaris Consortio. Outlining the importance of husbands, men and fathers he wrote that a father’s “Love for his wife as mother of their children and love for the children themselves are for the man the natural way of understanding and fulfilling his own fatherhood”. It is through their action and ability to love, men can express their gift of ‘fatherhood.’ A father may be a father by being gifted a child but is the father living true to his gift of ‘fatherhood’ by the example he gives?
Pope Francis explains “Fathers are not born but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person” (Apostolic Letter, Patris corde). ‘Fatherhood’ is not just through the birth of the child but rather the higher ideal of the gift of love for the other especially love his wife and children.
Let us thank God for the gift of fatherhood and pray for our fathers this Father’s Day that they may turn to God and entrust their families to Him so that they may fulfil the gift of ‘fatherhood.’ I wish all our fathers and father figures of our community a very happy and enjoyable Father’s Day.
Live Fully Act Justly Day Mass
On September 9 we will have our annual Live Fully Act Justly Day. A day in which we take time to celebrate our college motto which is the essence of all that we do here at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs. For many of our students this will be the first time they will experience the day due to the cancellation of the event. We will begin the day with Holy Mass in the hall, followed by a fair and talent quest.
Families are invited to attend the celebration of Mass and will need to book via the try booking link below (limited places are available).
https://www.trybooking.com/CBYOT
Friday 8am Mass
During the term we offer the opportunity for our community to attend Holy Mass. Every Friday mornings of the term 8am Mass is celebrated at St Catherine of Siena Parish Church. All students and their family are welcomed to attend. Daily Mass can help us to strengthen our relationship with Jesus and grow in holiness. I ask families to encourage their children to attend and support the nourishment of their faith.
Sunday Gospel Reflection
Twenty Third Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Luke 14:25-33
Weekend Parish Mass Times
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Caroline Springs
Saturday (Vigil): 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 10:30am & 12:00pm
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Caroline Springs Website
Sacred Heart/Emmaus St Albans & Sydenham
Sacred Heart
Saturday (Vigil): 5:00pm
Sunday: 7:30pm, 9:00am (Polish), 10:30am
Emmaus Church
Saturday: 6:30pm
Sunday: 9:00am
Sacred Heart/Emmaus St Albans & Sydenham Website
Resurrection Catholic Parish, Kings Park
Saturday (Vigil) 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:30pm (Syriac – Iraqi), 3:00pm (every fourth & fifth Sunday of the month – South Sudanese)