Holy Husbands: A Heavenly Gift

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An Honorable Christian husband who stays the course is a rare gift indeed in this day and age....few left that can manage the feat no matter their professions of faith.

Whether we are 5, 25, or 50, Dad plays a vital role in our lives. This Father’s Day, share the following letter from an unknown source to let your dad know how special he is in your life.

My Father

When I was: Four years old: My daddy can do anything.
When I was: Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.
When I was: Six years old: My dad is smarter than your dad.
When I was: Eight years old: My dad doesn't know exactly everything.
When I was: 10 years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different.
When I was: 12 years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
When I was: 14 years old: Don't pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned.
When I was: 21 years old: Him? My Lord, he's hopelessly out of date.
When I was: 25 years old: Dad knows about it, but then he should, because he has been around so long.
When I was: 30 years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience.
When I was: 35 years old: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
When I was: 40 years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise.
When I was: 50 years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him.

Unknown

Regardless of the stage of life you are in, we wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful fathers out there!

Holy Husbands: A Heavenly Gift
What Happened to Dads?
"Be a Dad!" (Book Review)
Divine Fatherhood is the Source of Human Fatherhood: Fathers as Gift
Priests of the Domestic Church: A Father's Day Homily (Tissue Alert)

A Prayer for Fathers
No Better Gift for Father’s Day
Gift of Fatherhood: Kneel before the Father from Whom Every Family in Heaven on Earth is named
Fathers are important
Fathers
Fatherhood and Religion
The New Catholic Manliness (about priests)
Dads: Men for All Seasons
The Father of Fathers
On The Demise of Fatherhood

Father’s Day 2009: “An End to Buffoonish Fathers”
Of Treacheries, Tykes, and the Trinity (Fatherhood, Family, Effects of Abortion)
Priests and the importance of fatherhood [Catholic Caucus]
[OPEN] The Government, Divorce, and the War on Fatherhood
Study Shows Christianity Makes Men Better Husbands and Fathers
Study Shows Christianity Makes Men Better Husbands and Fathers (Open)
Honoring Thy Fathers
Priests of the Domestic Church: A Father's Day Homily
The Blueprint for Heroic Family Life [Fathers' Day] [Ecumenical]
Honoring Thy Fathers

A Father's Tough Love
Children Who Have An Active Father Figure Have Fewer Psychological And Behavioral Problems
Where Have All the Christian Men Gone? My Conversation with John Eldredge
The Transforming Power of Prayer [Part 1] (Catholic Man)
The Transforming Power of Prayer, Part 2 (Catholic Man)
The 10 Paradoxes of Fatherhood, There is a certain immediacy about motherhood that cannot
The Story of Champions [Father's Day]
What Makes a Man a Hero? [Father's Day]
The New Catholic Manliness
Applying St. Benedict's Rule to Fatherhood and Family Life - Using 6th-Century Wisdom Today

Eleanor Rigby

For the gals, young or old, a little advice from a man who knows things, some of them learned the in painful ways:

Holy husband or no, don't forget the guys are human. And men, too. Different. That's one reason why women marry them. Whatever you do, don't try and turn 'em into women.

Sometimes...a guy 'aint got no time to be instructed, but just has to go fix that hole in the roof. Some possible comment or inclusion of important detail is ok. But be brief if possible, and always be kind if ya' can swing it.

When he get's done, he don't wanna be hearing a bunch of yapping telling him what he should be "like" or do, coming from all direction including the dawg. Leave him be, 'cause you just might not understand. He might need some time for his mind to wander, almost as much as a woman might could use a bit more help with the housework. But don't bug the guy too much. Find another way, if possible.

If he isn't listening, he may already "know" but is struggling to come up to every and all prior expectations, or ate up with guilt for falling short of doing so. He could pull away. Reassurance towards the fella a bit here and there all along the way can go a long ways. Want the man to be holy? Ok fine. Expect that he be so? Get ye to a convent and go marry Jesus. Maybe He will send someone to fix the roof. Stranger things have happened.

Fixing a hole (in the roof)

I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go

I'm filling the cracks that ran through the door
And kept my mind from wandering
Where it will go

And it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

See the people standing there who disagree and never win

And wonder why they don't get in my door
I'm painting my room in the colourful way

And when my mind is wandering
There I will go
And it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Silly people run around they worry me
And never ask me why they don't get past my door
I'm taking the time for a number of things
That weren't important yesterday
And I still go

I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in
And stops my mind from wandering
Where it will go

Thank you for the ping, NYer....you know my story, and you know I was blessed with a Holy Husband in my life for much too short of a time. I am grateful for that time, however brief, and look forward to being reunited with him one day. God Bless. xo

later

one thing i wish,’if it would be’something women would learn, besides learning to turn lights off, would be, if we don’t ask for help or advice, we don’t want it, and when we ask for help or advice, that is when we do need it. also that as we do not remind you of tasks and chores you know you have to do every day, or regularly, because you know you have to do them and us reminding you of them really doesn’t help you, the same thing goes for us.

if we don’t ask for help or advice, we don’t want it, and when we ask for help or advice, that is when we do need it.

Yes, I think that's fairly universal. Still, folks have to bear with one another, even when they don't particularly care for what they may be hearing.

I once had a successful couple (raised six children --at one point had serious issues/even split up for a short time but reconciled) tell me they had developed a philosophy that worked for them.

Both were to consider that 90% of themselves belonged to the other. Like giving up their "rights" almost. Non of this we'll split it 50-50 in effort to be "fair". Forget weighing for fair. But reserve 10% of "self". And don't require or expect that last 10% of the other ever, remembering it is impossible to determine just where the line of that 10% could be, too, but don't be afraid to ask, to talk. Respect that 10% at all times. Cherish that other's own perhaps diametrically opposed different-ness, regardless of how it goes (within some limit...oh baby)

The other could be giving so much more than the receiver be noticing...or not enough be given, so if asked, if it any way possible, just go ahead and fork it over. Release it. Give it up. Smile and remember the 10's sacrosanct. Love the sacredness of that in the other. Love their 10%, their own unique being. Don't try and make that change...

That sort of thing, but I'm expanding upon the formula as outlined...which may be why that sort of thing can work between two people of at least moderate intelligence(?). otherwise, if one less than bright, or having difficulties, anything... that would show the other right where to give to the one in need of most any sort, with there being safe place to apply to the other in fullest consideration the 90% which belongs to that other. Reserving one's own 10%

In my FR habit of frequently including music selection, one comes to mind which could be accompaniment, carrying Christian theme as to the issue. Though not exactly a "how to" make a man holy, if One portion remained could help make both man and wife more holy, together. It's kinda' hippy-dippy preachy, but I do have a soft spot for it. Wedding Song

reminds me of the story of two older Irish women who listened to a sermon by a priest on Marriage.

Ah yes, wasn’t that a lovely sermon, says the one.

Yes it was. And I wish I knew as little about marriage as he does.

Sorry, I didn’t marry a “holy” husband: I married a sexy one.

Great post!

A Prayer for Fathers

A Prayer for Fathers

Most gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for our earthly fathers, those to whom you have entrusted the responsibility to provide loving protection of their families and guidance of their children. We thank you, also, for our priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood is so vital to the faith of your people.
May our earthly fathers imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world.
Assist all fathers of families, all spiritual fathers, and all Christian men, that through your Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge and understanding of your Truth. May they generously impart this knowledge to those who rely on them.
As you, our Heavenly Father, so loved the world, sending your only Son to be our Savior and Redeemer, we ask you to help all men to imitate His fatherly gentleness and mercy toward those who are weak; His humility, perfect obedience to your Will, and fearless witness to your Truth. May their lives be examples to all of heroic faithfulness to you.
We ask your blessing on all those to whom you have entrusted fatherhood. May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and strength, fidelity and self-giving love. May they receive your Grace abundantly in this earthly life, and may they look forward to eternal joy in your presence in the life to come.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and Our Lord, AMEN.
o o +++ o o
Prodigal Son - Pencil drawing by Helen Hull Hitchcock

"Be a Dad!" by Fr. Larry Richards

"Be a Dad!" | Fr. Larry Richards | Adapted and excerpted from Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be | Ignatius Insight

You are going to die!

It doesn't matter how rich we are, or how popular we are, or how powerful we are: we are all going to "kick the bucket" one day. Isn't that a nice thought?

What we have to do is take some time to sit and meditate about taking our last breath. What do you want your wife to say about you? What do you want your kids to say about you? Once you've decided, "Okay, when I am taking my last breath this is what I want", you can start living your life with your end goal in mind. You will start living in such a way that when the day of your death happens, the people who know you will say what you want them to say.

Death is the ultimate thing that takes control out of our hands. Even if we commit suicide, we cannot control what happens after we die. Not one of us had control over our own birth and not one of us has control of what happens after we die.

I have been to a lot of deathbeds throughout my priesthood, so I know what it is going to be like when you are dying. While you are lying there, the thing that is going to be most important to you is your relationships—the people that you loved and the people that in return loved you.

Then why don't we live every day with that in mind? Make the decision to never let your wife or your kids go to bed or walk out the door without telling them first that you love them—life is just too short! It will change your family. It will change the world.

Continue reading ""Be a Dad!" by Fr. Larry Richards" »