Dear Friends:
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY: We seem to be getting more people at our Sunday Masses. The retreatants attending the 10 am Sunday Mass is one reason. I also notice more young people at Mass and young couples with their babies attending. Today, I wish all fathers a “Happy Father’s Day.” I thank them for the leadership they show their families with their fidelity to Sunday Mass. When I told my Dad I wanted to attend the Passionist Prep seminary in Dunkirk, NY for high school. He said: “You’re too young. Wait till after high school.” I was very disappointed and prayed. Sometime later he came to me and said: “I’ll let you try it. Promise me the minute you are unhappy. Call me up and I’ll drive up and bring you home. It’s 499 miles from Jersey City and it’s very cold there.” Later that summer before I left for Dunkirk, my father took me to a very good store and bought me a good pair of gloves. That was the summer of 1958. When I was coming to Pittsburgh from North Carolina eight years ago, I threw out a lot of stuff. I had an old pair of gloves with a hole in them that should have been thrown out. However, I put them in a shoe box with polish for my good shoes.  I didn’t have the heart to throw them out. They are still there. I probably won’t throw them out when I move from here either. They remind me of a father’s love I experienced when I was 13 in the summer of 1958. Today, we thank all the Fathers for the tender love you show your families. Happy Fathers’ Day!