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June 18, 2021Father’s Day is June 20
In his apostolic letter entitled Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.
Fathers and their families in the archdiocese talk about fatherhood and their importance in the Year of Saint Joseph.
Fred Frederickson – Ada
Fred Frederickson was born and raised in Nebraska where he followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a rancher. He has ranched in Wisconsin and Arizona. He also owned roping arenas in Ruidoso, N.M., before moving his family to Oklahoma in 1978. Frederickson has been married to Collean for 62 years and has been blessed with seven children and 31 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
“He always accepted life’s trials and God’s blessings. In the evening he would read bible verses to the family,” Collean Frederickson said.
He said his faith is strong and his aim in life is to serve God, attend Mass and care for his family. Frederickson is active at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ada and has served with the Knights of Columbus and prison ministry.
Frederickson’s children worked together to write the following statement about their dad.
“Dad gave his best in raising us together with mom given what he had. He taught us the value of hard work and was diligent in passing on the Catholic faith to us through the example of praying the Rosary, attending Mass and reading the scriptures. We all feel blessed to be raised in a home that was devoted to the Catholic faith.”
Kyle Craddock – Ardmore
Kyle Craddock has been married to Megan for seven years and they are the proud parents of two children, Blakely and Carter. Craddock works in the family funeral home business in Ardmore.
Deacon Juan Jimenez, from Saint Mary Catholic Church in Ardmore, said, “Despite many young families staying away during the COVID crisis, you always could count on Kyle and his family being in church every weekend.”
“Kyle has been a rock to me when times get tough,” Megan Craddock said. “We prayed for our babies throughout both pregnancies and always placed our trust in God. I went into labor with our first while we were attending 5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass. I looked at Kyle during the sign of peace slightly panicked and he was ready to get to the hospital. I told him we needed to go receive communion and then we would go straight to the hospital after. It helped to give us strength to get through the 28-hour labor and c-section that were in store for us.”
She added, “Kyle has a passion for funeral directing and I have been approached by many people who he has helped during loss, and they always comment on how kind and caring he is. They always say how comfortable he made them feel and that they really feel that he cares for them and their loved ones.”
Craddock’s 6-year-old daughter Blakely said, “I love my dad because sometimes he squishes us when we are grumpy. He gives us piggyback rides and I love playing with him.”
His 3-year-old son Carter added, “I love playing with Paw Patrol with my dad. I love when my dad helps me take off my socks and helps me eat.”
Juan Velarde - Sulphur
Juan Velarde’s family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when he was 7 years old. He has six siblings and said he learned a lot from his dad.
“He taught me how to work for what I have, and to put God first, family second and myself last. He taught me how to use tools to get the job done and that money also is just a tool. He taught me that to love God is to love my wife, and to love my wife is to love my children. He taught me that recreation is re-creation. I hope to be like him someday, and that my boys will want to follow in his footsteps too,” Velarde said.
Velarde and his late wife Robyn married in 1996 in Scottsdale, Ariz. They have three sons, Mason, Bridges and Van. In 2002, they moved to Sulphur and joined Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He started teaching religious education classes and has been involved in parish life ever since.
His wife died three and a half years ago.
“She made our house a home. She reminded us of our calling when we would forget. Now, that is all on me. I try to fill in for her, but I fail often. It is not easy being an only parent, but it is what the Lord has given me, and I am grateful for the time we had together and that I still have my sons,” Velarde said. “I've really enjoyed being a dad, because, well, my kids are great, but also because I feel I can help bring Christian values back to the culture by raising good men.”
Mason Velarde said, “Our dad has been our ballast through many rough times, but most impressively through the death our mother. His mission is raising us to be great men. Although some of us will find different paths, we carry the same flame in our hearts. Our dad has shown us what it means to love like Christ.”
Bridges Velarde added, “My dad, an immigrant to the United States, the hardest worker I know, jack of all trades, dedicated to family, and father to me and my brothers (and many of our friends who have told me about his fatherly role in their lives) could be nothing less than an image of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of immigrants, workers, families and fathers.”
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
