News

Dad to speak on the spirituality of fatherhood

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Diocese gathers What: The Gathering of the Church of Green Bay featuring more than 130 sectional presenters. When: Oct. 6-7 Where: St. Norbert College, De Pere Why: To come together with Catholics from around the diocese for intellectual, spiritual and fellowship enrichment. Registration: For more information, call (920)437-7531 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 3; or go to www.gbdioc.org

Dan Driscoll would like to write another book, but it is not in his plans for the near future. He is too busy raising four kids, running a school and speaking at conferences, including The Gathering of the Church of Green Bay, Oct. 6-7 at St. Norbert College, De Pere.

Driscoll, who serves as head of Good Shepherd Montessori School in South Bend, Ind., a school he founded with his wife, Felicia, will make three different presentations at the 2006 Gathering. His presentation "Spirituality of Fatherhood" stems from his book Daddyhood: This Changes Everything!, published in 2002.

"When we started having children, my wife was involved in different mother groups," he said. "There was a spirituality of motherhood, but I couldn't find a spirituality role of the father and the responsibility of that relationship a man has with his children and with God."

"I was studying at Notre Dame and our first baby came in the middle of that," he added. "When it actually happened, it first felt like an interruption. It certainly wasn't interrupting anything. It was enhancing my life. We need to appreciate the gift of this spiritual experience. How do we make fatherhood a prayer each day?"

Driscoll, a graduate of The Catholic University of America, incorporates his vast experiences into his ministry. He has served as a social worker, youth minister, teacher and editor in addition to school administrator, author and speaker.

"My undergrad degree is in social work," he said. "I first worked with nursing home residents. Working with that population really formed me. It was a humbling experience. I then worked with high school students, which was a completely different experience. What is most important with all age groups and in all circumstances is community. In all forms of ministry, when living out our gospel values, you really have to have that community support."

Driscoll, a native of Rochester, N.Y., who grew up in New Jersey, presents JustFaith introductory workshops throughout the country. He will discuss the program in a sectional at The Gathering. JustFaith is a small-group program of prayer, reading, viewing videos, discussions, retreats and visiting action ministries to increase awareness of Catholic Social Teaching. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Newton introduced JustFaith this past year.

"It (JustFaith) is a remarkable opportunity for transformation," said Driscoll. "Parishes report that it has had a profound effect. There is more involvement and the effects are lasting. It provides a great learning experience for Catholic Social Teaching, which is our best kept secret."

Driscoll's third presentation will explore living in the right relationship with God. The call to live in right relationship is a call to social justice, he said.

"There is an ongoing concern for myself and many people about how you save the world while remaining in right relationship as father, husband, school administrator, but I feel most capable of doing works of justice because of these roles in my life. Our children need to see us as models and see us caring for the poor. It's not just a charitable mood I choose when I have time. It's a way of living at all times."