Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

I just finished reading “41: A Portrait of My Father,” a biography written by George W. Bush, or “Bush 43,” about his father. It was obvious that this son held his father in high esteem and with great affection. I resonated with Bush 43’s assessment of his father and on one level, I felt the same esteem and affection for my father.

Now, my father did not graduate from Yale University, nor was he ambassador to China, the head of the CIA, Vice President or President of the United States. Harry Edward Listecki was simply my father. He didn’t even graduate from Bowen High School – rather, he was the owner of taverns for the first five years of my life and supported the family by driving a CTA bus for 38 years until his retirement.

I was recently talking with my friend Kevin O’Brien, one of the instrumental founders of Men of Christ. This organization supports men in the practice of their faith and in their responsibility to be “good fathers.” I have offered a number of Masses for Men of Christ over the last five years and I can tell you how proud I am personally of the fathers and their sons, grandfathers and grandsons who make the effort to witness their faith. This is a visual model for their children. Imagine what it means to the children of a family, to have their dad practice the faith. Our society often works against the role model of father and especially the father that supports their children in a true relationship with God.

As I explored my assessment of Bush 43’s biography of his dad, Kevin and I started to examine why there was a similar identification and admiration for “fathers” who were so different. I offered the following observations. First, they were “there.” The presence of a father and the male image in the home is most significant. It doesn’t matter what size, shape, level of intelligence or social standing there is. He was “there.” His presence made a difference.

Second, he loved my mother. There was little doubt in my family about the respect and love that was owed my mother. Testimony was given to this fact in the way my father would act and the deference paid to mother’s opinion. Third, he loved me. I always felt supported. I was his son and that would never change. Whether I would make mistakes or achieve accomplishments, I was his son.

There are some men in our society who worry about whether or not they have the ability to be good fathers. It can be scary in this modern world to raise children – if you haven’t been blessed with a good role model, it can make you insecure. I have encountered men who have had terrible home situations and yet are terrific dads. They are there, they love their wives and they love their children. In addition, for many, they are not afraid to depend upon God and practice their faith.

As we approach Father’s Day on June 21, remember the dad who was there. If he’s alive, give him a call, write a note or send him a necktie (that oftentimes meaningless gift given by children to their dads on any occasion). If he’s passed away, say a prayer for his soul – thank him and give praise to God, the “Father” of us all. Just remember, the Father’s Son demonstrated His love for us in sacrificial obedience and He tells us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the June 9, 2015 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.