From the Pastor’s Desk
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, grandfathers and husbands today! Historically the first known celebration of Father’s Day was in 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia as a way of complementing Mother’s Day. However it took until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation naming the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. It became the law of the land in 1972 with a bill signed by President Richard Nixon.
Over the years the importance of the father-figure in a family has been supported by both research and just plain common sense. Biblically, the role of the father is often held up as the standard in which a family is truly united in its faith and religious practices as they worship Almighty God. The Knights of Columbus have taken up an effort called “Fathers for Good” to help men be good fathers by balancing home and work life. You can check out this program by going to www.fathersforgood.org.
Allow me to close today’s column with a Prayer for Christian Fathers (author unknown):
Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless all fathers
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to you for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ our rock and defender. Amen.
Love,
Father Tom