Fathers of Saint Joseph – Meeting Notes [10th Jan 26]
- Marcelo Bastos
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Fathers of Saint Joseph – Meeting Notes
Date: Saturday, 10 January 2026
Location: St. Mary’s, Pope’s Quay, Cork (T23 P8ER)
Context
We began the morning with a period of Eucharistic Adoration, creating a quiet and prayerful space before moving into our reflections.
Reflection Reading
Book: LEAD: The Four Marks of Fatherly Greatness by Devin Schadt
Pillar 3: Assume your authority (embracing charitable authority)
Reading: No. 124, The Most Insidious Enemy (page 297)
Key Notes from the Reading
Continuation of previous "The Duties of a True Leader": Protect, Provide, and Teach.
Two types of enemies were discussed:
The enemy outside the camp, who is visible and identifiable.
The enemy inside the camp, who appears to be on our side and is often harder to recognise.
When a person does not receive the recognition or honour he expects, he may become resentful and, in extreme cases, turn against those closest to him. Betrayal often causes deep and lasting damage. Judas Iscariot was given as a clear example.
Applied to fatherhood, when a father invests time, effort, and resources into his family but feels unrecognised, he may withdraw or act in ways that harm his family. In doing so, he risks forgetting his vocation: to lead his wife and children toward heaven.
A father who becomes lukewarm in faith, or who no longer fully believes in Christ and in God, can quietly pass this attitude on to his family, distracting them from their ultimate purpose.
Even when recognition is lacking, fathers remain called to a heroic duty: to confront the traitor within themselves and to remain faithful defenders of their families and of the faith, even to the end of their lives.
Call to Action
We were invited to reflect honestly on this question: When was the last time I spoke with my family about final judgment, heaven and hell, and the consequences of sin?
Associated Reflection
From page 448, The Authority to Protect, we considered the question: Do I protect my children by resisting the temptation to live vicariously through their lives?
Shared Thoughts from the Group
Several members reflected on how some fathers become troubled by the success of other men and begin to see their own families as obstacles rather than gifts.
There was a shared sense of sadness when speaking about broken families and the deep wounds such situations create for everyone involved, especially children.
Personal Reflection and Final Thought
As a young professional, I was very focused on success. Over time, I came to see that every pursuit has a cost. At certain points in my career, I realised that some choices limited my ability to build a family and to be present for them physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
This led me to redefine what success truly means. Faith helped me understand my role and responsibilities more clearly, and a new path opened before me. Success is not measured by status or achievement, but by being a role model for my children, a protector of my family, and someone willing to sacrifice for them as they journey toward heaven and communion with the Lord.
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