Tag: blessing

Bishop dedicates and blesses new Parish Activity Center in Lakewood Ranch

Posted on by Bob Reddy

With hundreds looking on and cheering their support, Bishop Frank J. Dewane dedicated and blessed a new Parish Activity Center on March 30, 2025, Laetare Sunday, for Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch.

“We dedicate this Parish Activity Center of Our Lady of the Angels,” Bishop Dewane said. “We bless and open it today for the education and wellbeing of the present and future students and parishioners as they grow in faith, hope, love, and learning. May it be a place where students and parishioners will search for the wisdom that guides the Christian life and strive wholeheartedly to stand by Christ, their teacher, Your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns forever and ever, Amen.”

Father Sebastian Szczawínski, Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels, said the new Parish Activity Center and rectory were made possible thanks to the enthusiastic support of the families who make up the Parish community.

“I am extremely grateful for your support, prayers and contributions,” Father Szczawínski said. “This activity was greatly needed for the various ministries but more importantly in faith formation, because we have more than 500 students.”

Bishop Dewane remarked that the new activity center is beautiful from the outside but what will make it most beautiful will be when the 500 students are settled in.

The Bishop also encouraged all to pray for those will enter and be educated for generations to come. “This building will be here for a long time. It is an accomplishment all of you have undertaken. Thank you for that.”

Following the dedication ceremony, the Bishop walked through the building, blessing each of the meeting rooms with Holy Water. Father Szczawínski also joined in the blessing of the building.

The faithful closely followed the Bishop through the building, with many taking photos or videos. All expressed their joy and wonder at the new building, with many remarking about how wonderful the facility will be for the students in religious education.

The activity center is more than double the size of the original facilities and will service the needs of an ever-growing community. The activity center will be a one-story building and will house 10 rooms of various sizes for use in ministries and programs. The new structure will serve the needs of the more than 500 1st – 12th grade Faith Formation students and support the more than 40 outreach ministries and groups of the Parish. The Parish Hall will remain and continue to be used for meetings and events as needed. A celebratory reception for the new activity center was held in the Hall.

The new 12,580-foot Parish Activity Center is located on the west side of the Parish property. In addition, there is a new duplex rectory for the Pastor and Parochial Vicar in the northwest corner of the property.

Our Lady of the Angels serves 3,730 registered families in the growing Lakewood Ranch community with seven weekend Masses offered during the peak season. Bishop Dewane recently decreed that a new Mission Church of Our Lady of the Angels be erected. That future Mission (St. Benedict) will be constructed on Diocesan-owned land at Lorraine Boulevard and University Parkway. For more information about Our Lady of the Angels, please visit olangelscc.org.

Ground broken for Phase 1 of Donahue Academy expansion

Posted on by Bob Reddy

With the entire student population and many supporters present, ground was broken on Feb. 10, 2025, for Phase I of an expansion at Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane led the Rite of Blessing for the expansion which includes permanent portable classrooms which will increase the capacity of the school by 175 students in the 2025-2026 school year, bringing the total student population to 615.

“It is exciting to see what is happening here at Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Parish,” Bishop Dewane said. “We do this ceremonial groundbreaking to respond to a need that exists in the community. I have the responsibility to not just educate the students who are here but to make room for all those who desire to be here according to the 10 Commandments and the Gospels of Jesus Christ. We turn to the Lord to give thanks for the beautiful sight of the students who make up Donahue Academy and do what we can to offer the knowledge of Our Lord to the students in the future.”

Donahue Catholic Academy Principal Dr. Marc Snyder thanked Bishop Dewane, Father John Belmonte, SJ, Superintendent of Catholic Education, Father David Vidal, Pastor of Ave Maria Parish, and all of the parents, grandparents and benefactors of the school. He thanked them all for making the first phase of the planned expansion possible in just 18 months, as well as for being part of this special moment in the 18-year history of Donahue Catholic Academy.

“We will not just be opening the doors to a modular building, we will be opening our doors to Christ for our students,” Snyder said. “It is our moral imperative that we do this. These students deserve a Catholic education, and a Donahue education where we emphasize an encounter with Christ in pursuit of excellence. This is an education with Christ at the center of all things.”

Snyder went on to explain that the new space for 175 students is already filled, and future expansion plans are in the works, including a second modular classroom, an airnasium (covered outdoor sports facility and playground), a gym expansion, chapel, and a three-story wing to the existing school building.

“This is a new day for Donahue Academy,” Snyder concluded. “Donahue’s foundation is strong. Our Mission will never change.”

Father Belmonte said there is much to celebrate at Donahue Catholic Academy and within the Diocese of Venice school system.  There are currently more than 6,500 students, the most in Diocesan history, and in the past five years growth has reached 44 percent, the fastest in a Catholic school system in the country. The result is that all 15 Diocesan Catholic schools are at 100 percent capacity with each having extensive waitlists.

“There is much to boast about,” Father Belmonte said. “None of this would have been possible without the guidance of Bishop Dewane and the confidence our parents have in the Diocese providing a Christ-centered education to students at all grade levels.”

During the Rite of Blessing, the Sacred Scriptures were read and prayer intentions for the new building and its future occupants were offered. Bishop Dewane then blessed the modulars, which were being staged ahead of installation, and the ground upon which they will stand.

The groundbreaking ceremony included Bishop Dewane, Father Belmonte, Principal Snyder as well as Kevin Iepson, a member of the school board. The next group included Bishop Dewane and Snyder along with students representing each grade.

One parent expressed his joy about the expansion, noting how the future of the school is being secured for the next group of students who will call Ave Maria their home. “It is wonderful to see this. This town needs Donahue to be a centerpiece of Catholic education for everyone who lives here.”

A second-grade student said she was impressed by the blessing and groundbreaking ceremony with the Bishop sprinkling holy water on the ground and then shoveling dirt. “That was fun. Having the Bishop here is special.”

The blessing and groundbreaking ceremony was preceded by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the students which was celebrated by Bishop Dewane.

Prayers, action as Diocese responds to Helene

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Bishop Frank J. Dewane called upon all to pray as Hurricane Helene approached the Diocese of Venice and put into action plans to ensure the safety of all and recovery after the storm.

“As people of Faith, we are called to pray to Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of peril,” Bishop Dewane said. “May we find comfort in the Lord as Hurricane Ian threatens, and that our suffering brothers and sisters quickly find safety and comfort in the Lord.”

As Hurricane Helene approached, Bishop Dewane met with members of the Diocesan Emergency Response Team on Sept. 24 and 25, 2024, at the Catholic Center. The first of these meetings was to review and then implement existing emergency plans for all Parishes, Schools and other entities within the Diocese. The storm approaches the region near the second anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Ian. That hurricane caused widespread wind, storm surge, and flooding damage throughout the Diocese. Some of those recovery efforts are ongoing.

These emergency plans were established to ensure an ease of preparation when tropical weather threatens. Policies, checklists and basic guidance have been established to ensure that the people and the buildings within the Diocese are secured and rendered as safe as possible before a storm arrives. In addition, the emergency plans also direct actions needed to respond to the impacts of a storm.

By implementing these plans, Parishes, Schools and other entities first follow local emergency management guidance, and using this as a base, start making plans to close offices, secure and limit access to buildings and take other necessary actions.

All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Sept. 26, and again on Sept. 27, following public schools, and each will reopen as soon as possible. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, said “any decision to reopen will be made when the Diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for our students and faculty.”

Diocesan Parishes follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several cancelled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed. Parishes in areas which have limited impact (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen quickly.

In addition, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is prepared to respond and set Points of Distribution (POD) in areas of greatest need. These POD locations, preplanned and established in coordination with county and state emergency management officials, will include the distribution of water, ice and food.

After Hurricane Helene passes, those interested in volunteering to assist, donating unused hurricane supplies, or offering financial support for the recovery effort can visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for details on how to help.

The Diocese of Venice will also be updating the website (www.dioceseofvenice.org) and posting to social media where the greatest need is and how people can help.

Please continue to pray for the safety of all involved and in the path of Hurricane Helene.

 

 

Bishop blesses new state-of-the-art gymnasium and science and engineering center

Posted on by Bob Reddy

To cheering delight of parents, supports and students the new state-of-the-art gymnasium and center for science and engineering was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on Sept. 21, 2024.

Bishop Dewane celebrated Mass before the blessing and dedication, praising the faithful at St. Charles for their sacrifice in helping to make the school project come to fruition. This new building includes a gymnasium, bleachers, and four classrooms which will be utilized as science and robotics labs.

“Know the joy that your generous support provides to so many young people,” Bishop Dewane said. “We remember in prayer those who have sacrificed through the 25 years of this project and all everyone gave to make today possible.”

The new gymnasium and center for science and engineering boasts a full-sized basketball court with bleacher seating, a state-of-the-art sound system and six retractable basketball goals. In addition, there are two ground floor classrooms that will be used for math classes, and two upstairs rooms, one is a fully equipped science lab, and other will be used as a robotics and STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, math) lab.

Bishop Dewane explained how the classrooms are more advanced and will be used to help the young students meet the demands of the world.

“It is the role of Diocesan Catholic schools to prepare students, in conjunction with their parents, for the world mentally, academically, physically, but most importantly spiritually,” Bishop Dewane said. “I am most concerned about the spiritual aspect, and I am grateful to the community for supporting these efforts. Continue to be the doers of your faith for this Parish and this school. You are the blessing for which I come to thank today.”

To the delight of the assembled faithful, following the Mass, each student present for the Mass came forward and stood before the altar to thank everyone. Afterwards, everyone proceeded to the gymnasium for a dedication and blessing prayer service.

During the prayer service, in a symbol of honoring God’s people first, Bishop Dewane used Holy Water to bless the students, parents and supports, and then the building. A reception followed.

Father John Fitch, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, also thanked everyone for their generosity and patience as the concept for the project dated by more than 25 years. “You made this possible for the children of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School here today and for many years to come. Thank you!”

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School was established in 1960 and is the only Catholic School serving Charlotte County.  It serves children from Pre-K through 8th grade and has an enrollment of 344 students.

The School states as its mission: “St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School is a place where every child is spiritually and academically nurtured to their fullest potential, creating lifelong learners who value and live our Catholic Faith.” For more about St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, visit https://www.stcbs.org.

Bishop blesses new additions to St. Joseph Catholic School

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Great things are awaiting the students at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bradenton when they arrive for the first day of school in the coming days. There have been upgrades to different classrooms but most importantly there is a new Early Learning Center for pre-school children, as well as a new playground and school bus.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane lead a prayer ceremony and blessing for the enhancements to St. Joseph Catholic School on July 31, 2024. Present for the ceremony were supporters of the school, as well as faculty, staff, and two select students.

“The Diocese and St. Joseph Catholic School are blessed and grateful to the teachers, faculty, staff and supporters, each for their desire to be part of the mission of instilling faith and knowledge in not only what is worldly but what is spiritual,” Bishop Dewane said. “Here at St. Joseph, you make them a greater person; individuals who will go forth and excel in the next step of their education, and in life.”

St. Joseph Principal Deborah Suddarth said every milestone in enrollment, upgrade to a classroom, or new equipment, makes the school and its students stronger, and is only made possible thanks to the generosity of the Bishop, the Diocesan Education Office and all the supporters of Catholic education including members of the school board, the Knights of Columbus, and many others.

“The portable classrooms, the new playground, the new bus, and so much more are the answer to a dream and help to make St. Joseph well-positioned to continue to grow in the future,” Suddarth said.

In addition to Bishop Dewane, other clergy present for the ceremony were Jesuit Father John Belmonte, Diocese of Venice Superintendent of Catholic Education, Father Rafal Ligenza, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Father Jim Simko, St. Joseph Parochial Vicar, and Father Sebastian Szczawinski, Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch.

The new portable classrooms will house the Early Learning Center and will include six classrooms (each with their own bathroom), and will be used for pre-school students. The new structure replaced an old building that had been on the northwest side of the school campus for many years and had fallen out of use. With classes starting Aug. 12, the buildings will have a direct connection to the main school building with a covered walkway to allow protection from the sun and rain.

The new playground, which is next to the new portables, uses recycled materials with the surfaces padded for added safety and is also for use by the pre-school students. The new school bus will allow more flexible options for the school sports teams, field trips and possible transportation to and from school for families who live father away.

Principal Suddarth said the school also has a new covered basketball court, which will be used not only for basketball but also for pickleball and tennis. The STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math) lab also received upgrades to include new 3D printers.

“All of these improvements have been made possible thanks to donors who had a dream for our school and our students, and then helped to make those dreams come true,” Suddarth said.

Bishop breaks ground for a Parish Activity Center in Lakewood Ranch

Posted on by Bob Reddy

With hundreds looking on and cheering their support, ground was broken on Nov. 4, 2023, for the new Our Lady of the Angels Parish Activity Center and rectory in Lakewood Ranch.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane led a brief prayer service and blessing before picking up a shovel to take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

“This Parish Activity Center is something that could not have been imagined just a few years ago, and now it is something that is needed for your growing, faith-filled Parish,” Bishop Dewane said.

Father Sebastian Szczawínski, S.A.C., Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels, remarked that he was very grateful for the support and prayers for the campaign which made the groundbreaking possible.

“This is for children and adults who are going to learn about Jesus – how to live a good life, how to live a proper life, connected to Christ,” Father Szczawínski said.

The new 12,580-foot Parish Activity Center will be located on the west side of the Parish property. In addition, there will be a duplex rectory constructed for the Pastor and Parochial Vicar in the northwest corner of the property. The project is expected to take 12-16 months to complete.

Under the guidance of Bishop Dewane and Father Szczawínski, the Parish ran a “Building Our Future” capital campaign during the past two years to help make the Parish Activity Center and rectory a reality.

The new activity center will more than double the existing facilities and will service the needs of an ever-growing community. The activity center will be a one-story building and will house 10 rooms of various sizes for use in ministries and programs. The new structure will serve the needs of the nearly 500 1st – 12th grade Faith Formation students and support the more than 40 outreach ministries and groups of the Parish. The current Parish Hall, which was recently renovated, will remain, and be used for meetings and events as needed.

The construction of a rectory will bring the clergy from off-campus living arrangements to be on-campus and within walking distance of Our Lady of Angels. The new duplex will be a two-bedroom, two-bathroom structure.

The architect for the project is PRA Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP – John Holtz, partner, and the general contractor is ME&S general Contractors, Inc.

Joining Bishop Dewane and Father Szczawínski in the groundbreaking were priests and Deacons who serve the Parish. Members of the Parish Finance Council also turned dirt, as well as many others who were pivotal in making the project a reality.

Our Lady of the Angels serves 3,138 registered families in the growing Lakewood Ranch community with up to seven weekend Masses offered during the peak season.

For more information about Our Lady of the Angels, visit olangelscc.org.

‘Blessing of Animals’ delights

Posted on by Bob Reddy

As the school day wound down at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers the sounds of barking, meowing and the stir of critters small and large echoed across the sports field.

It was Oct. 4, 2023, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, which has become synonymous with the “Blessing of Animals.” According to history, the 12th century patron saint of animals and the environment spoke to the animals and treated them as members of his family.

Students at St. Francis Xavier brought their dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, frogs and much more. These creatures were well loved and an important part of each family but also part of God’s creation, explained Parish Administrator Father Steven Clemente.

Father Clemente led a brief prayer service and read a special prayer which recalls the words of the Old Testament Books of Genesis, Exodus, Kings and Jonah.

As Father Clemente went through the crowd of students, parents and parishioners, each animal was blessed with Holy Water. The students shrieked with delight when the Holy Water blessed their animals, one student with a toothy grin said, as she hugged her furry dog, “So happy!”

At St. Ann Catholic School in Naples, Pastor Father William Davis, OSFS, blessed a wide assortment of animals, including a horse.

Similar animal blessings took place throughout the Diocese, with many Parishes opting to host the blessings during the preceding or following weekend.

For example, at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Naples, Pastor Father Gerard Critch led a blessing on Oct. 7, with a large crowd of people, as well as their furry, feathery and scaled companions.

At Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School in Venice, for the Feast Day, kindergarteners made bird feeders in honor of St. Francis.

In addition, at Bishop Verot Catholic School in Fort Myers, members of the St. Francis of Assisi House were allowed to have a “dress out” day, where they wore the house colors in place of their regular school uniform. The house system allows students in each grade to foster a sense of community while participating in various school activities as a unified group.

Affordable housing community blessed in Zolfo Spring

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The recently completed Casa San Alfonso affordable housing community with 21 single-family homes in Zolfo Springs was blessed by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on Sept. 28, 2023.

“Housing continues to be a vital concern and need for people throughout Florida,” Bishop Dewane said. “We’re pleased to support Zolfo Springs with affordable rental housing that will provide comfort and a sense of belonging for local residents.”

The Diocese of Venice partnered on the project with National Development of America, Inc., and supported by Zolfo Springs and Hardee County.

“We’re very grateful for our partnership with the Diocese of Venice and the strong support from county and city officials to help bring this project to fruition,” said John Raymond, director of real estate for National Development of America. “Casa San Alfonso is the perfect example of how a community can come together to achieve something impactful.”

Zolfo Springs Mayor Rod Cannon was overjoyed by the project and complimented the quality of the work noting that there were nearby tracts of land available if the Diocese was interested in expanding the project.

“This is beautiful. I am really overwhelmed by it,” Cannon said. “I have been excited about this whole project from the moment I learned about it to this day. We are blessed to have it, especially as it is available to families who might not have any other housing options in our community.”

Justin Smith, with the Development Group in Hardee County, said the county initially did not have a policy in place to support affordable housing but was able to back the housing project through grants to help make the finances work.

During the ceremony, Bishop Dewane offered a special thank you to the faithful of St. Michael Parish in Wauchula for their support of the project. Casa San Alfonso is located on repurposed land that was once used as a Mission of St. Michael.

Representing the Parish at the ceremony were Father Wilner Durosier, CS, Father Juan Lorenzo, women religious of the Servant Sisters of the Blessed Virgin of Matara, as well as many of the faithful.

Father Durosier said he was excited about the project and promised to promote the housing opportunities to the faithful.

The Diocese of Venice and National Development embarked on Casa San Alfonso in 2020 to address the growing demand for affordable rental housing in Hardee County. Additional affordable housing projects within Hardee County are already in the development process.

National Development of America will manage Casa San Alfonso which will provide affordable housing for qualified residents – those who make 50-60% of the Average Median Income. Monthly rents range from $673 to $976.

The community features 17 – 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom homes, and 4 – 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom homes, complete with new appliances. Amenities include an onsite clubhouse with a computer lab, and charming walking trails throughout the neighborhood, which is situated on a large outdoor greenspace of 12 total acres.

Casa San Alfonso is now leasing. Interested applicants should submit a leasing form at form.jotform.com/231163616210140 or email alfonso@ndcassetmanagement.com for more information.

 

OLPH reopens with celebration

Posted on by Bob Reddy

It is fitting that the formal reopening of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (OLPH) in Venice was a Mass, with a blessing of the new Chapel altar.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane presided over the Mass on Oct. 1, 2023, marking the official recovery of the retreat center after Hurricane Ian caused extensive flooding damage a year earlier.

“When the hurricane passed through, we knew there was much to be done,” Bishop Dewane said. “This had to be a priority to be fixed up, opened up, and functioning again, because of what this holy ground represents.”

“OLPH is a positive experience for so many people, where they have come to discover or receive God’s Mercy,” the Bishop continued. “This retreat center is a blessing to the Diocese and it has had struggles and highlights. We are now going through a new highlight.”

During the Mass, Bishop Dewane formally blessed the new altar first with a prayer of blessing and then with Holy Water and incense. Following the blessing, the altar was formally dressed, and the Mass proceeded.

OLPH Director Father Mark Yavarone, Oblate of the Virgin Mary, thanked the many present for their support in the recovery process. Father Yavarone pointed out the leadership of Bishop Dewane and Diocesan Chancellor Volodymyr Smeryk as the impetus to getting the retreat center open so quickly. The retreat center has been hosting retreats since late August and is very busy. In fact, a men’s Cursillo group was at OLPH for the weekend of the reopening celebration.

Large portions of the clean up after the hurricane and the rebuilding was made possible thanks to the help of many benefactors and volunteers. The financial support helped a great deal, but it was the volunteers whose expertise and love was put into helping with landscaping clearing and replanting, as well as the construction of the new furniture, saving OLPH tens of thousands in added expenses.

“We could not have survived without you,” Father Yavarone said to those gathered. He also praised his small staff for overcoming the many obstacles and logistics to get OLPH back to functioning fully in less than a year.

Father also reflected upon his first visit to the property by kayak a few days after Ian, witnessing the destruction up close, with all seven of the major buildings flooded. This included the Chapel, conference center, dining hall and four residential buildings. It was not until 10 days after the storm when the damage could be surveyed by foot.

“When I first came back on property on foot and saw all of the mold and destruction, I had an unsettling thought – ‘I wonder if the Bishop and Chancellor are going to pull the plug?’ But, I never heard a discouraging word. The question was ‘How can we rebuild to make the retreat center better than it was?’ and the focus has been on achieving that goal to where we are today,” Father said.

Bishop Dewane lauded Father Yavarone for his own leadership in guiding OLPH in its recovery process, doing off-site retreats at Epiphany Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice and San Pedro in North Port, all to ensure the ministry of the retreat center still reached many people, even if the physical buildings could not be used.

“Father never lost heart, because as we all know, OLPH has been a positive experience for so many people through the years and will continue to do so for many more to come,” Bishop Dewane said. “Thank you, Father Mark, for all you have done.”

Those gathered gave Father a standing ovation.

In addition to benefactors and volunteers, also present for the reopening were Carmelite Father J.J. McCarthy, former director of OLPH, and Sister Carmella Decosty, Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, who helped establish OLPH with Redemptorist Father Charlie Mallen in 1995.

A reception was held in the conference center and guests were offered a tour of the rebuilt facilities. At the reception, the faithful were also introduced to Father Greg Cleveland, the new OLPH assistant director.

OLPH offers a variety of individual and group retreats as well as Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.

For more information about OLPH, or if you would like to offer financial support, please visit www.olph-retreat.org or call 941-486-0233.

A Father’s Day Tribute from Bishop Dewane

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on June 18, 2023. Below, a message from Bishop Frank J. Dewane, is offered below in English and Spanish:

Let us honor all fathers, living or deceased, on this day. Happy Father’s Day!

The divine Fatherhood of God is the source of human fatherhood; this is the foundation of the honor owed to fathers, today and every day. May the Fatherhood of God, our Heavenly Father, inspire all fathers to great love. Remember that it is out of God’s love for us that he gave of His only Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Let God, our Heavenly Father, be the role model, and source of inspiration, for all fathers.

Inspiration can be found, too, in the example of Saint Joseph, patron saint of fathers, workers and the Universal Church. Saint Joseph’s obedience to God, his courage, and the love and care shown to Mary and Jesus make him a model of earthly fatherhood. As a father, Saint Joseph guided and accompanied Jesus so he could grow in wisdom and grace. This is what all fathers must do – teach your children to grow in God’s grace and to become wise in the ways of our Lord.

Best wishes for a blessed and happy Father’s Day.

Honremos a todos los padres, vivos o fallecidos, en este día. ¡Feliz Día del Padre!

La Paternidad divina de Dios es la fuente de la paternidad humana; Este es el fundamento del honor que se debe a los padres, hoy y todos los días. Que la Paternidad de Dios, nuestro Padre Celestial, inspirar a todos los padres a un gran amor. Recuerde que es por el amor de Dios por nosotros que dio de Su único Hijo, Jesucristo, para nuestra salvación. Que Dios, nuestro Padre Celestial, sea el modelo para seguir y la fuente de inspiración para todos los padres.

La inspiración se puede encontrar también en el ejemplo de San José, santo patrono de los padres, de los trabajadores y de la Iglesia universal. La obediencia de San José a Dios, su coraje y el amor y cuidado mostrado a María y Jesús lo convierten en un modelo de paternidad terrena. Como padre, San José guio y acompañó a Jesús para que pudiera crecer en sabiduría y gracia. Esto es lo que todos los padres deben hacer- enseñar a sus hijos a crecer en la gracia de Dios y a ser sabios en los caminos de nuestro Señor.

Mis mejores deseos para un bendito y feliz Día del Padre.

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