With Father’s Day approaching, my thoughts turn to those of you in this group who are the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, Godfathers, and all who are “stand-in” fathers for one reason or another.  On the radio yesterday, I heard Steve Wood, the man who started St. Joseph Covenant Keepers.  He was sharing his eight steps for fathers to follow so that they might pass on the Catholic faith to their children.  While his words make good sense, I couldn’t help but think about all of you who did all the right things as your children were growing up.  You did spend time with them and have fun with them.  You did work, pray, and share your faith with them.  But somehow, when they grew up, in spite of your best efforts and your prayers, a child turned away from the practice of his/her Catholic faith.  Please know that there are many men who have experienced the same surprise, pain, and disappointment at the actions of a beloved child.  I’m sure the father of the Prodigal Son wasn’t pleased either when his son walked away from everything he had done for him and the example he had set, and walked into a world of trouble.

            The question becomes not “why” but “what”.  What do you do now?  Hopefully, you pray for your children and love them unconditionally.  You ask God to open eyes and soften hearts—both theirs and yours—to help everyone recognize the truth.  You turn to the example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for a model for your own family to live as a holy family, even as an extended family when your children have homes of their own.  So, you strive to trust God in all things, to believe that He is working even when you cannot see it, and to believe that prayer will make a difference in the lives of your children.  You recognize that you don’t know what it will take, or how long it will take, for a child who has strayed from the Faith to find the way back home.  But, you pray for the strength to endure in prayer and the love to be there with open arms when they do.  You remember that you cannot change someone’s heart, even your child’s.  You know that only God or the person themselves, can do that.  Above all, you realize that faith is a gift from God—one that you ask be given to both yourself and to those you love.

            There are no easy answers for those of us who hurt because a loved one is no longer a practicing Catholic.  But, there is comfort and strength in the collective wisdom of this group.  Gentlemen, let us hear from you this week.  What is the story of your beloved prodigal and yourself?  Have you seen the hand of God at work(either in in tiny, subtle ways or huge, visible ways)?  Do you have any suggestions to share with your fellows on how to live with the situation?  We need the wisdom of the men of this group.  Please share some of yours by emailing a few words to pray@marianmantle.com.  As always, all names will be kept private.

                        Let us all continue to exercise our “silent strength” and live in peaceful hope, while we wait for our time to speak those glorious words:  “The child for whom I have prayed has come home!”

Peace,

Dear MaryAnn,

            You mentioned Pentecost miracles.  One of my dear friends in our prayer group has had the annulment of her previous marriage granted after more than 30 years of trying to get this done.  She visited with our bishop a while back and he told her it would be accomplished by Pentecost.  She got word a few days after Pentecost Sunday.  This same woman saw a Christmas miracle when her sister returned to the Sacraments.  God is working!  ~Kansas Prayer Group Coordinator

Dear Mary Ann,
            As for prayers working YES your prayers have helped my children a great deal. and Especially Stephen who has turned for the better. However I ask that you continue to pray for him that he never lose touch with GOD and respect all those who are around him. I love him very much as I do the rest of my children but he has been my toughest to deal with. I also Love All Of YOU who have prayed for my children and myself and I truly appreciate it. Again Thank You. and please never stop praying for us as I will never stop praying for then entire group. ~Elizabeth

Dear MaryAnn,
            My son Thomas has started to go back to church and now wants to baptize his two little ones. :) My prayers offered also for everyone in the group. Great to hear Mary Ann is doing well.

Dear MaryAnn,
            Since I've received a physical healing thro' the Eucharist I too feel very bad when people leave the Eucharist and the Catholic Church and keep jumping from 1 denomination to another.  From my parish, half the people of late have been baptized into a Pentecostal denomination. I feel very hurt an upset; please pray for this group too.
            I shall offer your prayer group during the daily mass and while reciting the rosary and the divine mercy chaplet daily.  ~New member from India

So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.   ~Luke 15:20