Dear Friends and Parishioners,

As the sun was beating down on the brownish sand, the young boy saw his father wrestling each incoming wave as it crashed upon the shore. Running to his father waist-deep in those turbulent waters, the boy quickly discovered the powerful current under his own feet. He looked at his father with amusement realizing that Dad was actually playing in the water. “Dad never plays,” the boy thought to himself since he would mostly see his father coming home from work, or mowing the lawn, or washing the car, or presiding over family chores. He would also see his tired father lying on the sofa after supper or kneeling silently in the pew each Sunday morning. Dad was the driver for family outings and the faithful maintenance man when the toilet broke.

He was also a pretty good grill master. But playful wouldn’t be part of the boy’s description of his father – until that awesome day on the beach when the boy saw him in a different light.

Just as soon as the youngster made this profound discovery that Dad can actually play, he was suddenly being splashed and pulled toward the deeper water. It was Dad pulling him into this wonderful playfulness. A great day at the beach!

This indelible memory led to other ones as the son would later recall those many times when a baseball was being thrown around or the bicycle chain repaired or the laces on the roller skates were needing to be tied. He was always there for playtime while simply being Dad. He made sure play was a huge part of life. It’s just that he put his fatherly efforts into his children’s youth. Seeing to his children was his personal joy – emotionally and spiritually.

The little boy and his siblings, of course, eventually grew up and many years have passed since Dad’s death. And the son who recalls such a wonderful day at the beach – and many other occasions – now enjoys the privilege of offering Mass today for his Dad and all fathers, living and deceased. Happy Father’s Day!

Fr. Gurnick

As we celebrate the gift of our fathers, we are mindful of both those living as well as those who have been called to Heaven.

O Father, we humbly come before You, seeking peace and serenity for all fathers. Grant them strength in their responsibilities, comfort in their struggles, and tranquility in their hearts. May they find solace in Your presence and wisdom in Your guidance. Surround them with love and support, that they may lead their families with grace and courage. Amen.