Al's Outreach Outtakes

As I was preparing to write this article I began to think about St. Joseph. He’s my go-to guy whenever I feel like I need some extra help being a better Dad or husband. Not much is known about him other than a few references in the Bible. From those references, however, we can fill in a lot of blanks and it’s all good.  From the very beginning where he listens to the angel and accepts Mary even though she is carrying Jesus in her womb to the anxiety he felt as he searched for his lost twelve year old in the temple, we know he was always there. It seems like every reference is about his love and care for his family. I can think of no better example for each of us to follow and to teach to our own children and grandchildren.
 
St. Joseph  is actually pretty popular. He is the patron saint of the dying, and of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers (pregnant women), travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers, and working people in general. He is so special he has two feast days; March 19 for Joseph the Husband and May 1 for Joseph the Worker. He is considered to be the patron saint of many countries around the world. Not bad for a guy we know so little about.
 
So Dads, know that you do not need to be a rock star, a world class athlete or some big celebrity. If you are, that’s great; use your platform to change the world. But if you aren’t you can still make a difference. If in doubt, think of humble St. Joseph and all that he did so quietly. Serving God and family doesn’t require a big splash. Faith, humility, compassion and obedience go a long way!