Fathers: Making an Impact
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Fathers: Making an Impact

The past celebration of Father’s Day reminds us of the importance of those male role models in our lives. Fathers come in all shapes, sizes and colors – and, of course, all different depths of spirituality.

Archbishop Listecki


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

 

The past celebration of Father’s Day reminds us of the importance of those male role models in our lives. Fathers come in all shapes, sizes and colors – and, of course, all different depths of spirituality.
 
If we examine the deterioration of our urban areas, it doesn’t take a social scientist to see that the absence of a father in the lives of many of our families is a major contributing factor in that deterioration. The breakdown of the family is the root cause of many of our urban difficulties. This is not just an urban problem, but also one that demonstrates a void that is too often filled by gangs, drug lords, predators or older influential males who do not always consider the best interest of their younger associates.
 
I was not raised in a “Father Knows Best” household.  For those too young to remember “Father Knows Best,” it was a weekly TV show that starred Robert Young, playing a dad who spouted wisdom and wore a smoking jacket. My home was closer to Jackie Gleason’s “The Honeymooners.” If my Pa Pa wore a jacket, then it was a formal occasion, and that jacket would have been eliminated as soon as he returned home. His common dress in the house was a t-shirt. It was a given that he loved and supported my mother, and he expected us to love Mom and not embarrass the family, and if we were right, he would defend us with all his might. There was little doubt in the minds of my sister, Penny, and I that our father would lay down his life for us.
 
When I was ordained a priest, the term “Father” was immediately bestowed upon me. Although I was still “Jerry” for many and “Jerome” for immediate family and close friends, I was “Father” to the Catholic communities I served. I was especially aware that I was a spiritual father to some who were decades older than I was. Although feeling inadequate to the task of fatherhood, I was ordained to care for the “family,” the Church, and to use my position to support, challenge, defend and foster a loving concern. I was their “father.” One thing I definitely hoped was that the communities I served would understand that I would not hesitate to lay down my life for the Church, as my father would willingly lay down his life for the family.
 
There have been other male figures in my life who have contributed to my development: uncles, cousins, priests, teachers and heads of families that I have served, and have been privileged to be associated with, who have contributed characteristics important to my development. I have been blessed to draw upon their wisdom and examples. I hear their voices echoing in my decisions, as well as captured in my actions.
 
I love attending the “Men of Christ” conference and celebrating Mass for all the fathers, grandfathers, brothers, sons, uncles and cousins present there. As their archbishop, I am very proud of their willingness to witness the faith to members of their families, in solidarity with the Church. If we want our society to change to be more responsible, then we must “man up.” In our urban, suburban and rural areas, we need those male figures to take seriously their positions of leadership and create examples for our younger generations.
 
If we pay attention to Jesus Christ, who is the perfection of all males, then perhaps it is most important to follow his command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
 

 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the June 18, 2019 "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.

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