The Catholic Weekly 4 September 2022

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 4, September, 2022 GONE ARE the days of fathers being expected to “provide, protect and punish”. Today’s dads want more hands-on in- volvement with their kids, and that’s a great thing, says au- thor and co-founder of me- nALIVE, Robert Falzon. Speaking at the first of three Raising Fathers eve- nings hosted by Eastwood, Liverpool and Berala parishes last week, he encouraged the 60 dads present to embrace their vitally important task and vocation as life coaches, mentors and role models to their kids. Good fathering is a strong social predicator for healthy, well-adjusted people in adult- hood and yields a healthy, ro- bust society and Church, he explained, yet fatherhood is in decline in many ways. One in three families don’t have a father present in the household, and around 40 per cent of teenagers grow up in a house without a biological fa- ther present. Meanwhilemore than one million Australian children go to sleep at night without one parent, usually the father. Fatherlessness through physical or emotional ab- sence, anger, alcoholism or other addiction, or be- ing anonymous is linked to increased poverty, lower academic performance, in- creased crime and incarcera- tion, drug abuse, child abuse and mental and physical health problems, he said. But many of us have been wounded deeply by our fa- ther’s actions or absence. “There’s something about fatherhood that makes us or breaks us. And it’s our choice, because what we do not re- solve is repeated. And what is not transformed is transmit- ted. It’s our choice to let grace turn our story into grace and glory and beauty.” Kids do best with dads who How today’s dads are smashing old stereotypes and ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Raising fathers are present, patient, affec- tionate, who will hold them to account for their behaviour and speak with them honest- ly about difficult subjects like pornography, drugs and bul- lying, Mr Falzon said. “We need to teach our children how to live, which includes many things; how to ride a bike, mow a lawn and take the rubbish out, and much more important things like how to treat others, how Be strong in love and service: Robert Falzon speaks to men at the first of three Raising Fathers evenings conducted in Sydney last week. The events were organised by the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Centre for Evangelisation. PHOTOS: ALPHONSUS FOK to treat women and other men. “Your life actions and ways, good or bad, will be their training.” He encouraged the men to draw upon each other’s support and especially their spiritual heritage and Father in heaven. Director of the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation Daniel Ang, who contribut- ed a chapter to Mr Falzon’s latest book Raising Fathers, Fathering from the Frontline: 12 men’s stories said that it caused him to reflect on how his relationshipwith his father had changed over time from turbulence during his teenage years to a close bond today. “I understand where my dad was coming from and I will love him to the end,” Mr Ang said. “The ways in which my dad has shaped me has led me to I n this edition News Sport Archbishop’s homily Faith, books, movies Editorial & Letters Classifieds, jobs 1-11 8-9 24-25 21 26-27 28 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 Adam Wesselinoff (02) 9390 5400 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5250 The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by Spotpress Pty Ltd, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204. Hell, madam, is to love no longer. - George Bernanos, author of Diary of a Country Priest QUOTABLE CatholicWeekly The DOWNLOAD THE OUR FAITH OUR WORKS APP Your one-stop location for Mass and Confession times, spiritual reflections and meditations, podcasts, local Catholic news, the Go Make Disciples mission plan, and much more. To download the app visit ourfaithourworks.org/app or scan the QR Code. Celebrating loved ones for over 90 years Trevor Lee & Son is a family business that has helped families celebrate and remember their loved ones for over 90 years. ♦ Intimate and personal funeral services ♦ Professional, compassionate staff, available 24 hours a day ♦ On site or in the comfort of your own home ♦ Servicing all areas of Metropolitan Sydney and Country NSW ♦ Pre-Paid Funerals available Contact Bernadette (nee O’Hare), Trevor or Darren Lee on 9746 2949 to arrange an appointment. Participants raise hands in answer to a question, above. Ivica Kovac, Mens Ministry Coordinator at the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation, at right, talks to men about the spiritual foundations of fatherhood.