“It’s important for children to see people they love practicing their faith, spending time with them and learning about God in a way that may be different from the rather hurried life of family life,” said Mary Anne LeGall. “… It is important to tap into that lived experience that grandparents have of seeing God acting in their lives and share with them all the different miracles that have occurred … to help them really look forward to that relationship with God.”
A multigenerational family stands by the statue of St. Joseph and the display of photos of grandparents in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, West Trenton. Elise Stankus photo
LeGall shared thoughts about grandparenting following the July 28 Mass celebrated in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, West Trenton, as part of the fourth annual observance of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Ever since Pope Francis declared World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021, Our Lady of Good Counsel is among a number of parishes from around the Diocese to remember their elderly parishioners with special blessings, prayer intentions and words of gratitude. Many Our Lady of Good Counsel parishioners attended the celebratory Mass and reception that followed, where grandparents and the elderly received a special blessing from their pastor, Father Ariel Robles, as well as enjoyed refreshments with their families and each other. In their conversations, parishioners shared memories and wise insights about the importance of the elderly to the vitality of today’s Church community.
“It is important to have the succession of generations, to see that things are not always the same, they are not always the way they are now,” said Claude LeGall, a parishioner and grandfather.
Community Builder
Members of the Grandparents Guild in St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, stand with a depiction of Sts. Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Blessed Mother. Courtesy photo
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which is celebrated on the Sunday nearest to the Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus, has also impacted the parish community of St. Denis, Manasquan, through the development of their Grandparents Guild, an initiative born from the vision of parishioner Veronica Garrett, said Father William J.P. Lago, pastor.
Father Lago referred to Garrett as “a devoted Catholic and a loving grandparent. Her inspiration came from her own experiences and her deep faith. … The Guild began as a way to support grandparents in their unique role within the family and the Church,” he said.
The parish was very supportive of the Guild, noted Father Lago, saying, “We quickly realized the importance of such a group, especially since grandparents play a crucial role in the spiritual upbringing of their grandchildren. Our first major event was a special Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell.”
The Mass, celebrated for the second annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly observance, was held in St. Denis Church, July 23, 2023. On that occasion, Garrett described the Guild’s ministry as being “devoted to modeling a Christian way of life for our grandchildren,” she said, noting that the ministry includes persons who may not be grandparents, “but serve or have served as role models for so many of us.
“I see the role of grandparents and the elderly, with their wisdom and experience, as vital for the spiritual development of our youth. In light of what the secular world has to offer, we need to respect and support them always,” Father Lago said.
Longtime Guild member Carol Kobes reflected that over time, after facing some initial challenges, “the Guild has really grown into a supportive community.
“We meet regularly to pray for our grandchildren, share ideas and discuss how we can better engage them in their faith. …” She noted that one of the group’s key events centers on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, distributing handouts, offering prayers and inviting new members to join them through personal outreach.
But Kobes pointed out, the Guild’s contributions go beyond the events, bringing “a deeper understanding of the role of grandparents within our parish community.
“The Guild draws inspiration from saints like St. Anne and St. Joachim, which help us all to appreciate the sacredness of this role,” emphasizing also their “vital role in their grandchildren’s lives, especially when parents are busy with work,” she said.
Beloved Tradition
Father Brian Butch, pastor of St. Anselm Parish, Wayside, served as principal celebrant and homilist of the July 26 Mass for the Feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim in St. Anthony Church, Hamilton. Mike Ehrmann photo
Michael Ehrmann
Another parish that has held an annual commemoration of the Feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim for the past five years is Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton. The event is prepared by the parish’s marriage ministry and brings together their parishioners as well as those from the other parishes of the Lumen Christi Cohort – St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton, and St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square.
This year’s Mass was celebrated July 26 in St. Anthony Church with Father Brian Butch, pastor of St. Anselm Parish, Wayside, as principal celebrant. Concelebrants included priests from the Cohort parishes.
“This is the fifth year of this celebration with no sign of waning interest, and that speaks of the regard the parishioners have for the Mass,” said Barbara Dohrenwend, a member of the marriage ministry who helped coordinate the Mass.
Dohrenwend sees the Mass as a way for grandparents and grandchildren to share their faith. Before Mass starts, she explained, grandparents can write prayer intentions on cards for their grandchildren. Prayer cards are available for grandchildren to write in their grandparents’ names for prayers. The intentions are brought up with the gifts and placed on the altar. After Mass, the celebration continues with a luncheon, activities and crafts for children and a special photo shoot. “When celebrating Sts. Anne and Joachim as Jesus’ grandparents, children can see the importance and love of their grandparents in their lives,” Dohrenwend said.
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