Father's Day is seen as a secular holiday, a time to get good ol' Dad a tie and a card.

But the idea of fatherhood is important enough for the Roman Catholic Church to designate a patron saint of the holiday, and a big gun at that: St. Joseph the Just Worker, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus.

The church considers St. Joseph a the model of fatherhood, said the Rev. Nicholas Argentieri, pastor of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 660 N. Main St. Ext.

In fact, Argentieri said, he encourages fathers and fathers-to-be alike to pray to St. Joseph.

“He's the patron of workers, known as 'the just worker.' He inspires men to do the right thing at work and also at home.”

Argentieri said St. Joseph's devotion to his family can serve as an inspiration to modern fathers.

“I encourage men to pray to St. Joseph. He's a good role model for fathers,” he said.

During Sunday's Masses, he added “I definitely plan on acknowledging fathers in the parish and will give a special blessing to all the dads at the end of the 11 a.m. Mass.”

“At the end of the 11 a.m. Mass I will also be doing a baptism, which seems appropriate for Father's Day,” said Argentieri.

The Rev. Andrew Fischer, a priest at St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church, 2535 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, said he will also highlight fathers on Sunday.

Fischer said, “I will tie fathers into the homily, and after the homily I will ask the fathers present — fathers in whatever capacity, godfathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, reverend fathers — I will ask them to stand and give them a special blessing.

“I ask the children no mater the age to hug their fathers,” he said. “It's always very moving to see that when I give the blessing.”

Fischer said, “I also say a prayer for the deceased. After noting those who have died during the week, I ask the congregation to name the fathers or the grandfathers who are deceased.

“We go by section, and I say a little prayer at the end of those names. That's a very solemn moment right there,” said Fischer.

The Rev. Philip Farrell, the episcopal vicar for region four, will also take note of Father's Day Sunday when he will be celebrating Masses in New Castle.

Farrell said, “What we generally do at the end of the Mass is extend a blessing to fathers or anyone filling a fatherly role. I invite the whole congregation to join me in invoking God's blessing on these fathers.”

Farrell noted there are many ways and many people taking on a paternal role, that father is just a strictly biological term.”

Fathers attending any one of the six weekend Masses at St. Killian Roman Catholic Church, 7076 Franklin Road in Cranberry Township, will receive a special blessing at the end of the service, said the Rev. Charles Bober, pastor of St. Killian Parish.

Bober said his father bequeathed him a strong work ethic.

“I think that for most of us, we learned a work ethic from our parents, mostly from our dads,” said Bober.

“And we learned to multitask, to do so many things at one time. That takes skill,” Bober said.

Farrell said of his father, “He taught me patience. And he continues to teach me patience.”

Fischer said, “My dad came here from Slovenia when he was eight years old. He served in the Navy.

“I was very proud to have served in the Naval Reserveres and follow in my father's footsteps,” he said.

Fischer added, “My father is a very gentle man and a gentleman.”

After having worked in construction his whole life, his son said his father “can build anything, fix anything even at his age.

After his official duties, Argentieri hopes to take care of some familial ones, too.

“I am fortunate in that my own father is still living and I hope to see him on Father's Day,” he said.

“My dad had unconditional love for me. I told me I was a success in life before I was ordained.

“He told me 'You are a success in my eyes.' That was really touching,” said Argentieri.

Farrell also plans to spend some of Sunday with his 96-year-old father, Daniel.

“The fact is that my father has always been supportive, he's not been overly outgoing, but he's been a supportive person,” said Farrell. “He's become a friend.”

Fischer said his parents, Andrew and Dolores Fischer of O'Hara Township in Allegheny County recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

“They'll be coming to the 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday,” Fischer said. “When I give that blessing I will go put my arm around my father.”

“I'll give him his gift and his card and it will say 'Dear Father Andrew' and I will sign it 'Love, your son, Father Andrew,'” said Fischer.

And do the fathers have any advice for new fathers or fathers-to-be?

Bober said, as a priest he's “not being a father in a biological sense, but you realize being a father is an awesome responsibility, it's something that you can't take lightly.”

Fischer said, “I tell them to spend time with their children. Love them, support them, but it's important to spend time with them.

“As a priest, fathers should pray with their children, teach them about Jesus,” he said.

“Fathers should bring their children to church and fashion themselves to model Jesus,” Fischer said.