Remembering My Dad and Praying for All Fathers on Father’s Day

Today I remember my dear Dad, Jack Meehan, a devoted father whose love, sacrifice, and joyful spirit were a blessing in our family’s life.

In 1956, my parents, Jack and Bridie Meehan, made the courageous decision to leave Ireland and bring my brothers Patrick and Sean and me to the United States so that we could flourish and have opportunities that were difficult to find in our homeland at that time.

Dad worked three jobs to provide a better life for us. With the support of our wonderful Aunt Molly, our family was blessed with opportunities, including a good education and the chance to pursue our dreams. Yet what stands out most vividly in my memory is the reason we left Ireland in the first place.

Dad often reminded us that he did not want our family to be separated in order to survive. In those days, many Irish fathers had to leave their families behind and seek work in England to support loved ones at home. Dad wanted something different for us. He wanted our family to stay together. And that is exactly what he made possible.

In Ireland, Dad worked as a porter in a bank and played music with Billy Ryan’s Band. After immigrating to the United States, he earned his engineering license and worked in building maintenance while also leading a band that performed at congressional and embassy events throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

My brothers and I learned from Dad not so much through his words as through his example. We grew up in a happy home, largely unaware of how hard he worked because his joyful spirit, generous heart, and unwavering love were what shone through.

Dad also supported me throughout my journey as a sister, priest, and bishop. Even when my path led me to serve on the margins of a Church not yet ready to embrace the ministry of women priests, he encouraged me to follow my conscience and live my dreams.

On this Father’s Day, I give thanks for my Dad and for all fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, godfathers, mentors, and father figures whose love, sacrifice, and guidance have blessed our lives.

May all fathers know how deeply they are appreciated. May those who have died rest in the embrace of Divine Love. And may we honor their legacy by building families, communities, and a world rooted in love, compassion, and hope.

Happy Father’s Day!

Our last Father’s Day Celebration with Dad

https://jackbridgetmarymeehan.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-post.html?m=1

Dad plays at American Legion in 2005 in. Sarasota 

https://youtu.be/LUCo9MV1ppw

See Video below of Jack Meehan in Ireland with Family on Video that Aired on TV in DC/VA. area.

https://youtu.be/SJK6kwq3d8s

Features beautiful landscapes of the Aran Islands, the breathtaking mountains and lakes of Connemara, Cliffs of Moher. Explore sacred sites of Celtic Saints such as St. Enda's well, St. Gobnait's Church and St. Patrick's holy mountain.   Jack  narrates  the characteristics of Celtic spirituality through the lens of our Irish family heritage. Enjoy some beautiful Irish tunes like Galway Bay, Danny Boy, the Rose of Tralee and many more played by Jack and Dan Hallissey.  This program aired on Godtalk on public access TV in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC . I wrote a book about Celtic spirituality, Praying with Celtic Spirituality, available on online retailers including
amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/Praying-Celtic-Women-Bridget-Meehan/dp/0764809296/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8

— Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan