ATLANTA-Approximately 100 fathers of present and former St. Pius X High School students filled the school's chapel for the ninth annual Dad's Day of Recollection Jan. 15.

Father Richard Lopez, religion teacher at St. Pius and chaplain at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, led the day of recollection, where he told the fathers, "There are more than six million kids over 15 living without dads in the United States. Results include crime, poverty, early marriage and divorce."

Father Lopez reminded the fathers of the importance of being present to their sons and daughters, listening to them and sharing the fathers' human side and affection.

He then read from letters that students had written to their fathers in honor of the day of recollection, all expressing the importance of their fathers' love and understanding.

Sentiments included one child's gratitude for understanding a speeding ticket. Another told of the value of a simple note.

"My father said 'I love ya' for no reason at all. He wrote it to me in a letter. He's not good at saying things vocally, but I cried at it because it was heartfelt."

Another expressed the love a father showed after a car accident.

"We, your kids, are glad you dads are in our lives," it said. "Listen and be there, even if it seems we don't care. When I had my car wreck, my dad was not angry. He understood and cared."

One child's response sent a message to the fathers. "Just one time I want to hear my dad say he is proud of me."

Throughout the day, Father Lopez shared stories and statistics with the fathers. In the 1960s, fathers in the United States spent 40 percent more time with their children than they do today, he reported.

"It cuts down on everything from colds to sexual perversion and promiscuity."

Father Lopez, whose father died of lung cancer when he was young, related how his loss affected his life.

"My father's passing had a positive effect on me. It taught me to make right decisions so as not to let my dad down."

He also offered this advice from St. James to the fathers for nurturing the relationships with their children: "Know this, my brothers: Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."