Be Our Guest / Mark Hummer

On Father’s Day, don’t forget to thank Dad for all the cherished memories

Moms have always been a strong pillar of strength and a firm foundation in our life, especially in those critical years of growing up in this day and age that we live in.

But also in this fast-paced world and modern society that we live in, our children more than ever need the presence of a strong father in their life and in the household, especially when it comes time for making life’s decisions. More than ever, there is so much peer pressure on our young people from the media or Hollywood stars telling them to go ahead and do what they want to, live for today, do it because it feels good or go ahead and do what everyone is doing with no consequences.

I am 51 years old and a proud member of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis. My wife, Siming, and I have three daughters—Ava, Lillian and Valarie, and I am proud to be a Cardinal Ritter High School Raider.

And like dear old dad, I am proud to pass on the heritage of my Catholic faith and upbringing to our children.

In 1997—shortly after we moved to Indianapolis from the Toledo, Ohio, area for my wife’s medical residency—I began working for the Adult Day Services Program in Indianapolis under the auspices of my role model and mentor, Providence Sister Susan Dinnin. She will be moving to the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods area near the end of June, but her much-needed ministry will still go on with her there to serve the sisters and the families of that part of the state.

Those were 10 great years, which also led to my being able to work with my wife and serve a wide-age-range population in her private psychiatric practice at IU Hospital West in Avon.

Growing up as a youth in Genesee County, Mich., our family belonged to Holy Redeemer Parish in Flint, Mich.

Along the way on my journey to Indianapolis, I was a member of St. Charles and St. Jude parishes in the Fort Wayne area. And for eight years, I was a member of my all-time favorite church, Corpus Christi Parish at the University of Toledo in Ohio, under the watchful care and wisdom of Father Jim Bacik from Sandusky, Ohio.

Of course, none of the above or much else in life would have been attained without the guidance of my dad all these years.

So on this Father’s Day 2012, let’s hear it for Dad and relive some of those glory days with him, and be sure and thank him for all the memories that come to mind.
 

(Mark Hummer is a member of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.) †