"Fathers Make Known To Children Your Faithfulness..."

Great Pastoral letter from then Most Reverend John J. Myers, Bishop of Peoria, now the Most Reverend John J. Myers, J.C.D., D.D. the Fifth Archbishop of Newark.

I came across this letter several years ago, and it seems now more appropriate than ever. It is increasingly difficult to be a good, holy, Catholic man, husband, and father in today's culture. The words of this letter should be meditated on and read again and again by fathers and understood as a call to greatness. Wives and mothers too, should read this as an understanding of how Men should behave. All too often wives of good men, attempting to do the Lord's will, are held back by the good - albeit misguided- intentions of their spouse. Men need to understand their role and have the courage to live it out with discernment and prayer and open communication with their spouse.

"My intention is to maintain a focus on certain aspects of the complex of problems which constitute our current crisis. In fact, only if women welcome men in the roles of husband and father, cooperate with them and expect great things of them, can men hope to undertake such awesome responsibilities. In a real sense, the same is true for women in their roles as wife and mother."

This was written over a decade ago, but is more relevant today than ever. Take some time, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down for some spiritual direction.

http://www.rcan.org/archbish/jjm_letters/fathersmakeknownto3-97.htm

Happy Fatherhood!!!