MARCH 2016
LEARNING, FAITH & LEADERSHIP A Kennedy Catholic Lancer Publication
COMMUNI-K PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I was recently asked to speak on behalf of Fathers at the annual Father/Daughter Dinner Dance. Always an honor, I humbly accepted, not because of my amazing wisdom and understanding. Quite the contrary, I am learning from my daughters every day. It is more about discovering the very essence of what that relationship can become if only I open my eyes and turn up the hearing. This was my opening remarks and prayer. Good evening, Dads, close your eyes and describe the dress that your daughter is wearing. Now, describe the way her hair is worn. Open your eyes. How did you do? Daughters, think of the most amazing time you had with your dad. Dads, try and guess which amazing time it was.
Mike Prato - President
When I think of my three daughters, 26, 14 and 13, I often see them as toddlers, at birthday parties, soccer games and helping with algebra homework. How often, I overlook the amazing beauty, talents and gifts each of them have! Just yesterday, I discovered the importance of eyebrows. Daughters, your dads are probably not aware of the amazing times you’ve shared. It is not that we don’t care or are, by nature, oblivious. We just get busy. So, you have to demand our attention and give us permission to notice, especially now! Tonight is a date night for the two of you. Time to gather in prayer, discuss what connects you with each other, to reminisce and have fun. For Mykelanne, Lara and Catherine, date night with Dad by themselves means undivided attention, time for important questions or answers to challenging situations, or opportunities for Dad to learn more about the importance of eyebrows. Good and gracious God, you have given to us fathers, evidence of your love for us, those beautiful examples of fatherhood. Dads should be so lucky. Thank you for the gift of fathers, the protector, the listener, for taking the time to be present to me. Let this relationship grow tonight, with your Holy Spirit in the middle, in the form of love, wisdom, gentleness and a forgiveness of our lame efforts to dance. The next day, I had a sophomore girl come up to me and share with me that this was one of the most amazing times she has ever spent with her father. “He [her dad] got really emotional when he couldn’t guess my amazing moment with him. It was having breakfast at IHOP, just the two of us, after Mass, when my mom was home with a cold. It was a little thing, but a big thing to me because it was the first time we ever talked about anything but ‘how was your day.” Dads, look for ways to engage your daughter; regardless of their age. This fatherly moment inspires amazing memories. Daughters, demand time with your dad, alone. Ask him the tough questions or simply, enjoy strawberry waffles together. To read a complete recap of the evenings events, click here.
Kennedy Catholic High School
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www.kennedyhs.org