Some Father's Day do's straight from my homily today

Dads - here are a few things we all need to pay attention to since we have been given this awesome gift and tremendous responsibility to be dads:

1.  Let your children know that you are intimately, deeply in love with your FATHER; as in GOD the FATHER!  Never be afraid or shy to declare before your family that you are not only a man of God but you are in relationship with God.  You love God because He loves you.  And He loves your family too.  Be vocal, be excited to share that love with your family, with your kids; and the younger the better.

2.  Shower your children with the gift of your presence; not presents.  Yes, presents are fun and there is often a great sense of immediate gratification in giving great gifts.  Dads, there is no greater gift for your children that you.  Your presence is finer than gold, more precious than silver.  Now don't go feeling all guilty if your job does take you away from the family from time to time.  Those things happen.  When my son was young I worked a night shift for 2 years.  All I trued to do was be full present to him when I could.  Presence beats the heck out of presents everyday!

3.  Never be afraid to tell your children you love them.  So many dads feel that having to say "I love you" is so not necessary.  After all, the children should know that you love then, right?  Wrong!  Absolutely, show them your love by your example but tell them, as often as you can, "I love you".

4.  Never be afraid to tell your children "I'm sorry" when you make a mistake, or simply wrong, or hurt your child with angry or mean words.  Many of us grew up being taught that to apologize is a sign of weakness.  Nonsense!  I'm sorry takes great courage and should be offered often.  While on the subject of saying I'm sorry, how about making sure that when our children come to us and offer their apology, we accept that apology with the same love and compassion as the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son!

5.  Dads, love their moms.  That simple; love their moms!  So Deacon, maybe you should take a pass on this one; after all, you've been married to the same woman since like forever.  What about us who have children by moms who are no longer with us due to separation or divorce?  I must admit, that is a tougher call.  Dads who are men of God will understand this.  You and their mom made them, what has happened has happened.  But men of God, dads who love being dads, only speak with words of kindness, affirmation and respect.  Yes, you no longer love one another as husband & wife.  But with love & affection, you are the parents to that child or those children who you both DO love so much.  Dads, love their moms!

Hope this helps; a happy and graced-filled Father's Day to one and all!