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Just as a father must wear many different hats within a family circle, so must an ordained Roman Catholic Father sport a variety of caps within a parish family, according to Rev. Randall Patterson of Our Lady of Victory parish in Troy. 

Noting that priests strive to model their ministries after the example set by Christ, Father Patterson said the Son of God often demonstrated "qualities associated with fatherhood in the finest sense of the word." Key among them: compassion, forgiveness, gentleness, humility, kindness, patience and unconditional love.

In addition to the times when Christ invited children to gather near Him to hear parables from which they might grow spiritually, the Savior was quick to lend emotional and physical support.

"There's a time or a season for everything," reflected Father Patterson. "A time to speak and a time to listen; a time to advocate and a time to be correcting. A time to be joyful and a time to be sorrowful; a time to celebrate and a time to console."

He praised Bishop Howard J. Hubbard as a paternal role model for all of the priests in the Albany Diocese.

Role models
As a youngster, Father Patter-son looked up to two now retired priests: Revs. James O'Neill and Nellis Tremblay. Both, said Father Patterson, "were present and available to talk about issues and concerns. The bonds that formed all those years ago endure to this day."

Rev. Patrick Butler of St. Edward the Confessor parish in Clifton Park was quick to emphasize that nurturing and strengthening the bonds between a priest and the parishioners who call him "Father" is "a two-way street."

As an example, Father Butler said, members of his parish family were there to comfort him when his own father passed away while he was serving at Christ the King parish in Albany. 

He added that when he was a teenager in South Troy in the 1960s, he used to help clean up around the rectory at St. Joseph's. "I could sometimes hear Father Frank Melfe conversing with those who stopped by," he recalled. "Sometimes the visitors needed money for food or to pay the rent."

Family ties
As the future priest overheard the conversations, he was struck by the sense of family that existed between the associate pastor and those with whom he interacted. 

"Looking back, I realize that what I witnessed was the Church as family. We never talked about community in church, but we had it," said Father Butler. "Nowadays we talk about community, but it is harder to have because people are more isolated. We need to reach out to them. The support, goodness and strength we receive in return is tremendous."

One of the ways Father Butler has done this is to invite parishioners who would otherwise be alone on traditional family holidays like Thanksgiving to join him for a meal at the rectory. 

Rev. Edward Deimeke of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Green Island pointed to biblical images, including the one of a shepherd caring for his flock. 

"Our goal is to do all a father would do in terms of providing for his own children," he explained. "Faith - not just of the priest, but of the entire parish family - ultimately provides the food, clothing and shelter for those in need."

As a youngster in Kansas, Father Deimeke looked up to a pair of monsignors whom he regarded as model father figures: "Monsignor Gunning served parishioners on one side of the tracks; Monsignor Mahar served those on the other side. But it didn't matter which side of the tracks you lived on, the monsignors treated you the same."

Deacon Frank Berning, who directs diaconate formation for the Diocese and was recently appointed director of the diocesan Office of Pastoral Planning, as well, noted that the Church today is struggling with vocations to the priesthood.
He urged family members to nourish the seeds of faith planted early in life by priests who have been positive paternal role models.

(06/18/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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