For fathers young and old (Fr. Bernard Healey)

God our Father,
we give you thanks and praise
for fathers young and old. 

We pray for young fathers,
newly embracing their vocations;
May they find the courage and
perseverance to balance work, family,
and faith in joy and sacrifice. 

We pray for our own fathers
who have supported and challenged us;
May they continue to lead in strong and
gentle ways. 

We remember our fathers around the world
whose children are lost or suffering;
May they know that the God of compassion
walks with them in their sorrow. 

We pray for men who are not fathers
but still mentor and guide us
with fatherly love and advice. 

We pray for our spiritual fathers, our priests,
who lead us in faith and draw us to you;
May their own faith remain strong
and their love abundant. 

We remember fathers, grandfathers, and
great-grandfathers who are no longer with us
but who live forever in our memory
and nourish us with their love.

Amen. 

—Fr. Bernard Healey 

Happy Fathers Day
from Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mill Valley!

Image source: Joseph holds Jesus, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mill Valley, https://www.facebook.com/mountcarmelmv
Quotation source