NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A father’s role in his children’s faith journey.
As many parents know, raising kids to have a relationship with Jesus isn’t just one person’s job. Instead, it usually takes a community of friends, clergy, a parish and loving parents.
Pope Leo XIV recently expressed how important the role of parenthood is, even if “families struggle to bear the burden of daily life and are often held back in their plans and dreams.”
“Do not be afraid to welcome and defend every child conceived,” the Holy Father shared during a recent General Audience. “Proclaim and serve the Gospel of life. God is the lover of life. Therefore, always protect it with care and love.”
Orange County Catholic spoke with four fathers in different stages of parenthood and asked them what they want their kids to know about God and the Catholic faith. What came next were messages of support, encouragement and love that anyone can take to heart as they support Catholic youth in their faith communities.
JOSH BECKMAN
When raising his two children Colette and Joshua, St. John the Baptist parishioner Josh Beckman wants them both to know they are “one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me.”
JOSH BECKMAN AND HIS CHILDREN ATTEND A FAMILY EVENT BEFORE FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BECKMAN FAMILY
While he already applauds their “kindness, curiosity” and the way they care for the people around them, the father-of-two hopes they continue to develop their own personal relationship with Jesus.
“More than anything, I want you to know that you are loved so much by mom and me, but even more importantly by God,” he shared in a personal message to his kids. “My prayer is that no matter where life takes you, you always stay close to Him and remember that your faith can guide you through both the good and bad moments. I pray you continue to grow, knowing that success matters far less than being compassionate, humble, faithful and willing to put God first.”
EDGAR MORGADO
Every Sunday, St. Anthony Claret parishioner and Cristo Rey High School parent Edgar Morgado finds immense joy seeing his children Alexander, Valeria, Andrea and Patricia volunteer as altar servers.
EDGAR MORGADO AND HIS FOUR CHILDREN ATTEND MASS TOGETHER AS A FAMILY AT ST. ANTHONY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH ON A SUNDAY MORNING. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MORGADO FAMILY
“God has blessed me tremendously by providing me the opportunity to be your dad,” he said. “You have all chosen to serve our Lord in different ministries in our parish — I’m very proud of that. I love, specifically, to see all of you serving at the altar.”
Edgar continued, “I give thanks to the Lord for all of you every day. You are all my inspiration to wake up every day and to try my best to make this a better world.”
BRIAN PICKETT
When raising six boys — James, Asher, Judah, Silas, Eamon and Ronan— Holy Family parishioner Brian Pickett can’t help but be in awe when he watches his kids “grow into who God has called them to be.”
“Each one of you brings the love of God to our family and to the people around you in so many ways,” he said. “When we love God and love people, we are not far from the Kingdom. You are like arrows in the hands of a warrior, carrying God’s truth, goodness and beauty anytime you allow Him to use you for His glory.”
As his kids grow up, Brian hopes they know that “what this world has to offer doesn’t compare to what God has for you.”
“When the Lord is your Shepherd, there is nothing you shall want,” he continued. “I pray you follow God all the days of your life and stay close to Him. Seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Your Catholic faith will show you how to seek Him so you can find Him. For neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
ALEC MCNIFF
After celebrating his first Father’s Day as a dad, San Francisco Solano parishioner Alec McNiff hopes his daughter, Reagan, knows how much she is loved by both her parents and God.
“Being your dad is the greatest gift God has ever given me,” Alec shared. “Of all the things fatherhood has taught me so far, the most important is what God’s unconditional love really means. Holding you for the first time, I knew that nothing you could ever do would make me love you any more or any less, and that is exactly how God loves you too.”
No matter what great things Reagan accomplishes or mistakes she may make along the way, Alec believes God’s love for his daughter “will never change.”
“It can be neither earned nor diminished,” he shared after baptizing his child in the Catholic Church. “I pray that you come to experience His unconditional love for yourself, and that the Catholic faith we raise you in becomes your own.”