This Sunday is Father’s Day, where we give thanks to the fathers, grandfathers and uncles and father-figures in our lives.
We spoke to three fathers in different stages of their fatherhood journey about this special day.
Steve Boulus
Father of two adult children
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville
Steve Boulus with his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law. Image: Supplied
How will you be celebrating Father’s Day?
Steve Boulus: Father’s Day will be a low-key celebration this year with a BBQ at home with the immediate family. We’ll finish off the day by going to 6pm Mass. This is an opportunity to thanks God for my family as well as being grateful for the week that’s passed
What gifts are you hoping to receive for Father’s Day?
SB: I haven’t asked for anything in particular for a gift, but being with my wife, children, son-in-law and sharing a meal together is a special gift.
What is the most joyous thing about your vocation as a father?
SB: A real joy of my vocation as a father is being able to see my children grow and develop and to be able to celebrate their successes with my wife as we feel that we’ve done a good job. The love and connection you have with your children is very important. I’m grateful to God for everything we have.
What role does your faith play in your role as a father?
SB: Faith is important in our family. We’ve instilled faith in our children from a young age. Over generations on my side and my wife’s side of the family, we’ve gone to Mass and been involved in the Church. We’re very fortunate that our kids too want to be strong in their faith and be committed to serving the Church, which is a wonderful thing. I truly believe that anything you do for the Church, you receive lots of blessings from God in many ways.
How can the life of St Joseph inspire our father figures across the Diocese?
SB: St Joseph is an inspiration to fathers. He no doubt helped and encouraged Jesus in His early endeavours and significantly influenced Him in His life on earth. We too can look up to St Joseph as an outstanding role model when interacting with our own children.
Trinh Dinh
Father of two young children
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta
A composite image of Trinh Dinh and his family. Image: Supplied
How will you be celebrating Father’s Day?
Trinh Dinh: We celebrate the fathers on our life by spending quality time with them. This year, we’ll be going to Mass and having a picnic afterwards. I believe that being present with your family and showing appreciation for each individual builds stronger bonds and love for one another.
What gifts are you hoping to receive for Father’s Day?
TD: For Father’s Day, I want the gift of family. I want to be with them, regardless of whatever it is that we are doing. Memories last a lifetime, especially for my sons.
What is the most joyous thing about your vocation as a father?
TD: Being a leader for our family, protecting and guiding them and seeing them happy makes me very joyful as a father. As a father, I find joy when I see God working through my family, as guiding them towards heaven is the end goal.
What role does your faith play in your role as a father?
TD: My faith sets the standard as to what love is. It gives me a source of nourishment and rest when parenting two under 2 can be very chaotic. I believe fathers shape their children by how they treat their wives, with St Joseph setting the example for all fathers. Agape is ‘the highest form of love’, the love that God has for us all – the standard for love has been set and I strive every day to love just how Christ loves us.
How can the life of St Joseph inspire our father figures across the Diocese?
TD: St Joseph was a man of very few words, but his actions helped foster a loving environment for Jesus and Our Lady. Stepping up as parents, loving husbands and fathers can help save the world.
Paul Stephens
Father of four adult children and nine grandchildren
St Margaret Mary’s Parish, Merrylands and St Michael the Archangel Parish, Belfield
Paul Stephens with seven of his nine grandchildren. Image: Supplied
How will you be celebrating Father’s Day?
Paul Stephens: This Father’s Day is about spending as much time with my children and my grandchildren as I can, so we’re planning an afternoon tea and then an early tea with my son and his children. I’ll also speak with my dad and my brother and wishing them a happy Father’s Day.
What gifts are you hoping to receive for Father’s Day?
PS: I look forward to receiving cards from the grandchildren, because you know that they’ve put a lot of time and effort in, and they get such a thrill when they give it to me. It’s a real blessing because it’s coming out of love.
What is the most joyous thing about your vocation as a father and grandfather?
PS: Our eldest son has just had a little boy and he’s called him Paul Augustine, which was very emotional for us for the family to have that recognition in that way and my daughter had a son and called him Marcel Vincent which is significant for us as Vincent was my older brother who passed away a few years ago.
There’s a certain joy when you get called dad, but then, being called ghiddi (granddad) is also a great thing. Being a father has its responsibilities and with a grandfather comes a lot of joy and pleasure. With both Annette and I raising our children as a team, our grandchildren have become fruits of the labour.
What role does your faith play in your role as a father and grandfather?
PS: With faith, it’s a seed that you plant that is nurtured, cared for and tended to before it becomes a fig tree. Faith was always front and centre of what we did as a family unit, teaching them to be grateful, to be thankful and to know that if you have Christ, you have hope.
How can the life of St Joseph inspire our father figures across the Diocese?
PS: As fathers and grandfathers, we are modelling on St Joseph, one of the greatest fathers. His loyalty and strength is inspirational. As we know, St Joseph wanted to run away, but then he knew what his role was and he embraced that role and was able to persevere and become an important figure in Christ’s humanity.
We wish all the fathers, grandfathers, uncles and father-figures a blessed and wonderful Father’s Day.
