Our Holy Father Pope Francis once said: “Every family needs a father—a father who shares in his family's joy and pain, hands down wisdom to his children and offers them firm guidance and love.”

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to celebrate the 50 years of Fatherhood of Fr. Norm Douglas, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Akron.  It was a joy to see how Fr. Norm impacted so many lives through his spiritual fatherhood and how he loved and guided people over the years.  Thank you, Fr. Norm, for being a witness of what it means to be a good Father!

While I was getting ready for the Mass in the back of the church, I took a picture of the steps going up to the choir.  Growing up at St. Vincent Church, whenever I entered the church building, I would always see my great-uncle Jack Merzweiler sitting on those steps.  That was ‘his spot.’  While I never got to know him too well, that witness of always being there in the church spoke to me—another great example of being faithful to God, day in and day out and in all we do.  I pray that fathers, grandfathers and godfathers within our church and world continue to witness this love for the Lord in their lives.

Lastly, I want to mention someone in the parish who passed away last week.  We had a funeral for Rick Vannan this past Thursday.  He was a great man who I had the privilege of getting to know in my first few months of being here at St. Francis.  Over the years, he came to St. Francis with his wife and kids, but it wasn’t until his later years that he felt the Holy Spirit calling him to become Catholic.  It was a joy to walk with him on that journey.  It takes courage.  I share this because perhaps you have been coming to Mass for years and feel the call to become Catholic.  Or perhaps a non-Catholic family member or friend has been coming to Mass with you over the years.  It may be good to ask, what is the Holy Spirit doing in their lives today?  Are you or they open to taking the next step to become Catholic?  Like St. Paul says in the second reading, be courageous…walk by faith…aspire to please Him and the rest will follow.

God bless our fathers today and always!
Fr. Jeremy