St.  Thomas Aquinas University Parish

One of the things that I was taught in seminary which has proven to be so true in my years of priesthood is that the greatest thing that I can be called, the greatest thing that I can be known as is a father.  Being a spiritual father has been the greatest blessing of my life especially when it comes to my spiritual daughters.  This Saturday, September 25th is National Daughters Day a day when mothers and especially fathers honor and give thanks for the blessing of the daughters in their lives.  I will be offering up my Mass that morning in thanksgiving to God for blessing me with quite the array, a constellation of wonderful spiritual daughters.  And for all of my daughters I want you to know something.  You came to me because God had arranged it so, with a problem you couldn't quite figure out, or you were looking for someone to understand you, or your heart had just been broken, or you were just trying to find a father-figure to let you know that you were not crazy, that you really were trying to do your best.  In other words, God used me to bless you and to encourage you, but know this:  it was you who blessed and encouraged me.  All of you, my beloved spiritual daughters have made me into not only a better priest, but a better man.  Know that I love you all with the love of God the Father Himself.  It is my prayer that all fathers, even us priests, us spiritual fathers will be blessed as I have been blessed with the daughters that God has given to me.  It has been said that "A man’s daughter is his heart. Just with feet, walking out in the world."  I have been blessed to have my heart, the heart of a father been given out to so many.  All of you know:  you have a father looking out for you, for we all have a Father in heaven not only looking out for us, but blessing us so that we all may be together forever with Him. 

Fr. Michael DePalma