Greetings from Fr. Dave

Happy Father’s Day to all our dads! I always have some folks wish me as a priest “Happy Father’s Day”, and I take that as a huge compliment and challenge.

Being a father, in the fullest meaning of the word, is an awesome calling. I am personally blessed in having a father who was always deeply committed to my mom, to us kids, to our country (World War II vet), and to his profession as a teacher. He modeled for me incredibly well the qualities necessary to life fully and to give oneself fully to service of others. I am deeply grateful for his continued impact in my life! God bless all our fathers!
 

I will be making my annual retreat this week. The word “retreat” takes on many meanings in todays culture, but the distinctively Christian meaning of retreat is quite specific. Let me explain. The common way to think of retreat is to withdraw from the world to rest, recharge, and be away from normal
distractions and activity. That for sure is part of being on retreat. The unique component of retreat in our Catholic tradition, especially coming from the desert fathers and mothers in early centuries, was more specifically about a time/place of conversion: a time for deeper openness to the Holy Spirit, deeper surrender, dying to self, letting go, and being wide open to where one is being led. Please pray for me this week.
 

Congratulations to Euri Oh and Dylen Hoagbin, who were married here on June 15 ^th. Blessings to you both, and to all of our married and engaged couples!
 

Last week, funeral services were held for Ronan Smith. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.