Catholic Dads

From Martin Sheen, we gain some valuable lessons in fatherhood.

Quotes from a cultural icon; one who is Catholic to boot.

“I came back [to the Church] after being alone in the world for a lot of years. I need the structure, the sacraments, the support and nourishment of the Church.”

“I regret that I didn’t raise them as Catholics . . . I didn’t do anything damaging to them, but I didn’t inspire them either.”

“My career and my self were the focal points of my life, not them.”

These are quotes from Martin Sheen in an article on Fathers for Good, a web initiative from the Knights of Columbus.

The quotes are heartbreaking, aren’t they?

And, how many of us can utter the same or similar statements?

Deacon Marques continues his discussion of the parallel between the priesthood and marriage, and threats to this ancient understanding.
Last week’s post (Rethinking a Married Priesthood) began to explore how the Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders are related. We began by building a Scriptural foundation and this week we will look at the eminent Doctor of Grace, St. Augustine and conclude with a few reflections. Hold on, here we go…

Goods of Marriage

According to St. Augustine of Hippo (Augustine), the goods of marriage consist in the bonum fidei, bonum sacramenti, and the bonum prolis.[1] Unlike many of his modern day critics, Augustine believed that the Sacrament of Marriage was very good.[2] On closer inspection, these three marital goods may be found as intrinsic properties to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. [...]

Something one of our priests said in his homily a couple of weeks ago got me thinking about a way I could exercise my spiritual duties as father and husband. Father told an anecdote in his homily about a friend of his who set his cell phone to beep on the hour every day to [...]

While we’re at it, this weekend’s bulletin is now on the parish website for parishioner users. The oldest (he’s 4) was a pretty good stinker at bedtime tonight. Granted, he was tired. But some of the behavior he pulled was unacceptable. So, being the dad, I promptly carried him to his room and put him [...]

“In fact, I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. Although I don’t do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good.” Romans 7:15-16 (Contemporary English Version) My oldest son is newly three, and has [...]

Bishop Broderick Pabillio With Facebook friendsRicky Vines | Create Your Badge Lately, I have been so depressed because of the Church. It started with Abp. Wuerl, Fr. Jenkins then the Ryan report that exposed thousands of priests and religious who sexually and violently abused tens of thousands of children. I looked at my kids and [...]

“Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know, you can’t explain. But you feel it. You felt it your entire life. That there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there. Like a splinter in your mind… driving you mad.” – [...]

I mentioned in passing in a post on this here weblog last month that my wife and I are expecting our fifth child. Today, in fact, is the “official” due date, but with each passing minute, it seems less and less likely our child will be making his? her? debut today, so it appears we’re [...]

It is a sign of societal decay that “sexting” is now common among school children – even elementary schools. In case you don’t know, sexting is sending nude photos or videos via cell phone messages. Chuck Norris (yes, that Chuck Norris) wrote an article about it last week. Girls are now taking these photos of [...]

For the last four days, my wife and I took care of the three daughters of a friend of ours – a 9-year old and 5-year old twins. Adding our own 2-year old daughter into the mix and we had a house full of girls. I was quite out numbered. I wasn’t looking forward to [...]