With the growing attacks on marriage and family, the role of mothers and fathers must be affirmed more than ever.  New studies confirm what we already know: That fathers are central to healthy children, and a healthy society.  So if we want to rebuild a Civilization of Love, we need to start cherishing the role of real men, and especially fathers.

Dad matters.

It is said that children see God through the eyes of their father – and that a father has a bigger impact on whether or not children continue to go to church as adults.

That’s why it is so important for Catholics to build up fathers. And to push back against all these stereotypes found in our culture today.

Credo in unum Deum Patrem omnipoténtem, factórem cæli et terræ, visibílium ómnium et invisibílium. Et in unum Dóminum Iesum Christum, Fílium Dei Unigénitum, et ex Patre natum ante ómnia sæcula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lúmine, Deum verum de Deo vero, génitum, non factum, consubstantiálem Patri: per quem ómnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos hómines et propter nostram salútem descéndit de cælis. Et incarnátus est de Spíritu Sancto ex María Vírgine, et homo factus est. Crucifíxus étiam pro nobis sub Póntio Piláto; passus, et sepúltus est, et resurréxit tértia die, secúndum Scriptúras, et ascéndit in cælum, sedet ad déxteram Patris. Et íterum ventúrus est cum glória, iudicáre vivos et mórtuos, cuius regni non erit finis. Et in Spíritum Sanctum, Dóminum et vivificántem: qui ex Patre Filióque procédit. Qui cum Patre et Fílio simul adorátur et conglorificátur: qui locútus est per prophétas. Et unam, sanctam, cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam. Confíteor unum baptísma in remissiónem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam ventúri sæculi. Amen.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation he came down from the heavens. And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son. Who with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

let’s not forget what it’s all about.

Thank You Lord for all that You’ve done for us!

The Most Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of Springfield and Fr. Donald Lapointe, head of the Diocese of Springfield Deliverance Ministry, along with  Sr. Melinda Pellerin SSJ, Chris Sterns and lay witnesses will be joining us for the two day event.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase; hot dogs, hamburgers, chips soda, fried dough, and more. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable seating. There is no charge for this two day event; a free will offering will be taken up each night. This is a two evening event with different topics and speakers each night, so please come both nights for the entire experience.

This event is sponsored by the Hampden West Deanery and the Diocese of Springfield Catholic Charismatic Renewal.