“Pro Familia, Ecclesia et Patria”
On Saturday morning, September 27, 2025, the St. Alphonsus Hall looked a little different than usual. One by one, the neatly arranged chairs began to be filled by the Catholic fathers of the parish. The atmosphere felt warm, a mix of curiosity and excitement filled the room.This event took place in St. Aloysius Gonzaga’s Parish, Jakarta, Indonesia.
That day marked a historic moment: for the very first time, the Catholic fathers gathered together in one fellowship. They came with a simple yet profound purpose: to share stories about their lives, their roles, and their vocation as fathers, husbands, and men of faith. The chosen theme carried a powerful message: “Friends to one another, role models for the family, strong pillars of the Church, and witnesses of Christ’s love in society.”
The gathering began with the Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Fr. Willy Ngongo Pala, CSsR. The Mass served as a solid foundation, reminding everyone that all the roles and struggles of a father are deeply rooted in God’s love.
After Mass, the event continued with a short introduction from the moderator, who spoke about the vital mission of fathers in building families, supporting the Church, and witnessing to Christ in society. His words opened a path for the fathers to rediscover and embrace their calling.
Then came the most anticipated part: small group sharing. The fathers sat in circles, exchanging stories about their lives as fathers, husbands, and workers. Laughter broke out at times, moments of silence followed heartfelt stories, and many experiences brought encouragement. From these sharings grew a new sense of brotherhood: they realized they were not walking alone.
What made the event even more special was that it was facilitated by the parish’s young leadership team. Their presence brought fresh energy, bridged the generations, and highlighted the beauty of collaboration within the Church.
A total of 79 fathers attended the gathering—an impressive number for a first-time event. Their presence was a clear sign of a genuine longing to unite and support one another.
The gathering concluded with some important agreements. The fathers decided to maintain fellowship by meeting every three months for prayer and sharing. They also committed to being more active in parish liturgy, including forming a choir for weekly Eucharistic celebrations.
And of course, as is the tradition of our community, the day ended with a joyful meal together. The table was filled with laughter, stories, and a deeper sense of fraternity.
On that day, a new fellowship was born: a community of Catholic fathers who aspire to be friends, role models, pillars, and witnesses of Christ’s love.
It was a small step—but one full of great hope for families, the Church, and the nation.
Fr. Willy Ng Pala, CSsR.
