Cultivating Strong Fathers and Strong Families
The Dads Group at Stella Maris offers fathers the opportunity to build a supportive community, one where they can grow together in the essential virtues of fatherhood. Through this initiative, fathers are equipped to navigate the challenges of modern parenting, strengthening both their families and the broader community.
The Jesse Model is a significant inspiration for the Dads Group, drawing from the father of King David, whose lineage led to the birth of the Savior. Just as Jesse’s legacy shaped the future of salvation, the Dads Group aims to shape the future of our children through strong, virtuous fatherhood.
Key Virtues of Fatherhood
1. Hope: This virtue empowers fathers to maintain a positive vision for the future, even in the face of adversity. It inspires resilience and unwavering commitment to nurturing their families, encouraging fathers to persevere and instill hope in their children.
2. Magnanimity: Magnanimity calls fathers to pursue what is truly significant in life, fostering a spirit of ambition and determination. By setting high standards for themselves and their families, fathers inspire greatness in all aspects of life.
3. Virility: More than a physical attribute, virility is the embodiment of responsibility, initiative, and leadership. Fathers who embrace this virtue lead their families with purpose and decisiveness, shaping the lives of their children with integrity and care.
4. Concord: This virtue reflects the essence of “loving together.” It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and harmony in family life and beyond. Fathers who embody concord know how to engage others in discussions about what is genuinely significant for the common good, promoting a culture of cooperation that benefits both the family and society.
The Importance of These Virtues
These virtues are fundamental for fathers to live out their roles with strength, purpose, and grace. By cultivating hope, magnanimity, virility, and concord, fathers can navigate the complexities of parenting with confidence, enriching their families and the community. This collective growth also strengthens the bonds between fathers, fostering a robust, supportive network that benefits the entire school community.
Additional Activities
To foster camaraderie and healthy bonding, the Dads Group participates in various activities, including:
• Soccer: Thursday evenings
• Basketball: Saturday mornings
These activities provide opportunities for fathers to connect with one another outside of formal settings, building lasting friendships and reinforcing the spirit of teamwork and support that defines our school community.
At Stella Maris, we believe that strong spiritual and familial bonds are key to developing well-rounded, faith-driven individuals. We invite parents to join these enriching groups, where they can grow in faith, form lasting relationships, and play an integral role in the spiritual and personal development of their children.
