#MyMassTakeaway: Mustard Seeds and Father’s Day

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We went to Mass at our new parish today. I was nervous about the kids in a new church. What they behave? Would they be welcome? Would there be other families or would we stick out like a sore thumb? We walked to the front and found our pew. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed brought tears to my eyes. Every seat had a hymnal and a missalette – and a children's book! Every. single. seat! I felt welcomed. Encouraged. Loved. I felt like our family belonged right here in the pew. Not in a crying room, not relegated to a different parish, not left back at home, but right here. Right here with Jesus. Let the little children come to Him. Come to Him like little children. On this Father's Day, I'm thankful for the gift of family that fathers give us. I'm thankful to my dad for always being there for me. I'm thankful to my husband for being open to having "our hands full" of kids. I'm thankful to our pastor for welcoming us so warmly into the parish family. I'm thankful to God our Father for the gift of life. For the gift of relationship. For our Family, the Church. For reminding us, through His Fatherhood, of the importance of children. For holding children up as a model for us to learn from in our faith. These children of mine – these rowdy, energetic, totally trusting, love-filled, fierce children of mine – they ARE the Church. I'm proud to bring them to Jesus and to learn from them how to be a better, fiercer, more faith-filled Catholic. Thank you, fathers everywhere – biological, spiritual, God our Father – for nurturing your flock. Please continue to love your children and lead them always closer to Christ. #MyMassTakeaway #fathersday2018

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Jun 17, 2018 at 7:27am PDT

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Kicking off Father’s Day with Mass at the parish where my husband was baptized. In his homily, the priest said, “Love is a four-letter word spelled w-o-r-k.” Always good advice—and very fatherly. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and prayers for all for whom this is a difficult day. #mymasstakeaway

A post shared by Rita Buettner (@ritaatopenwindow) on Jun 17, 2018 at 8:20am PDT

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My dad was an elementary school librarian. During the summers he worked a number of odd jobs, including a stint for the NC Ferry Division. This buoy belonged to the Emmet Winslow, one of the Hatteras model ferries dad worked. It now hangs on the back of my mother’s house as a reminder of two things: the sacrifices my father made to support the family he loved, and the steadfast faith he exhibited during the rough seas of family life. My dad had faith the size of a mustard seed. Looking back, it’s pretty clear it bore great fruit. #mymasstakeaway #mysundaybest

A post shared by Ginny Kochis •Not So Formulaic (@ginnykochis) on Jun 17, 2018 at 10:51am PDT

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#MyMassTakeaway Our priest gave an amazing homily, but something else caught my attention. A toddler started getting a little fussy during the Consecration. His mom took him into her arms and directed him to the altar saying "Look, it's Jesus!" He immediately went quiet as his face broke out in a huge grin. My takeaway as that I should approach Jesus with the same joy and childlike faith. And let us remember that Mary is our mother and acts just like that mother – consoling is and directing our attention to Christ. #Catholicblogger #Christianblogger #CatholicsOnline #CatholicsofInstagram #livetheword #SundayFunday #FaithBlogger #shorthairdontcare #churchreflection

A post shared by Kate Hendrick (@stumblingtowardsainthood) on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:56am PDT

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Happy Father’s Day, Robert! 💛 You are amazing! “He makes high the low tree.” “God works in small ways while we sleep.” #masstakeaway #mymasstakeaway #catholicconnect #Rosary #fatherhood #catholicfather #fathersday @catholicwifecatholiclife @catholicconnect

A post shared by JENNIFER McCOLLUM ☘️ (@jennifer.chronicles) on Jun 17, 2018 at 10:03am PDT