From the Pastor

Dear friends in the Lord,
 
     Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced a new celebration in honor of all grandparents and the elderly, who are so important to our parishes and our Church. This new World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday in July, beginning next Sunday, the Sunday nearest the feastday of Sts. Joachim and Anna, Jesus’ own grandparents.
 
     In his message for this special commemoration, Pope Francis begins: “‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20): this is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends. ‘I am with you always’ are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone!” You can see the Pope’s full message at https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-06/pope-francis-world-day-grandparents-elderly-message.html.
 
     The Holy Father has also granted a plenary indulgence to grandparents, the elderly and all those who participate in a celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, as well as to those who spend time (actually or virtually) with an elderly brother or sister in need. Read more about the indulgence at https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-06/plenary-indulgences-apostolic-penitentiary-world-day-grandparent.html.
 
     Like most of you, my own life has been richly blessed by the grandparents I had the joy of knowing as a young man, and by the memory and witness of the grandparents who died before I was born. And of course, our parish—every parish!—would immediately crash to a halt were it not for the prayer and generosity and witness of our seniors.
 
     To all grandparents and seniors, your pastor (like the Pope, “an elderly person like yourselves”!) sends his love and blessing.