Father Jim Grogan, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, holds his grandson during Mass July 27 as the Church marked the fifth annual World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. Father Grogan pursued the priesthood following the death of his wife. Facebook photo.
The Church celebrated the fifth annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 27. In the Diocese of Trenton parishes from each county celebrated the annual event with special Masses, blessings and gatherings to honor grandparents.
PHOTO GALLERY: World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in our parishes
“The birth of my first grandchild, just this past May, influences the way I look at every single day,” said Father James Grogan, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown. After serving as a married permanent deacon, he pursued the priesthood following his wife’s death and was ordained 10 years ago for the Diocese of Trenton.
“I tremendously look forward to reading the first papal document, exhortation, etc. that Pope Leo may write,” he said, which “will also be shaping the world in which my grandson Jack will grow up.”
Papal Encouragement
Instituted by Pope Francis in 2021, the celebration falls each year on the Sunday closest to the Feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus.
This year’s theme, announced by Pope Leo XIV, was taken from the Book of Sirach: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope.” (Sir 14:2). The Holy Father spoke about the importance of honoring grandparents during a June 1 Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly.
Pope Leo called on grandparents and the elderly to “watch over your loved ones with wisdom and compassion, and with the humility and patience that comes with age. … Families are the cradle of the future of humanity.”
Local Celebrations
From intergenerational gatherings, family photos after Mass and special activities designed to foster meaningful conversations between grandparents and grandchildren, the day served as a powerful reminder of the vital role elders play in passing on the faith.
Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Hightstown, praised the elderly of his parish in his weekend message.
“We turn our hearts with love and gratitude to those who have walked the path of life longer than us,” he said. “We celebrate the wisdom they have accumulated, the years they have faithfully served, and the love they have so generously shared.”
The parish invited all its grandparents, elderly and sick members to attend a healing Mass June 26, followed by a complimentary breakfast exclusively for these parishioners as a token of gratitude.
Father Grogan helped coordinate with his son and daughter-in-law to have baby Jack in his arms for his July 27 homily.
“He was able to cuddle with me, made a few noises at the right points when I made jokes,” he said. “After about four minutes I could see that he was done … as I handed him back to my son, Will laughed as he said to me that all priests should be holding an infant as a timer for their homilies!”
Father Grogan delights in spending his time differently now. “[Jack] shapes how I look at my plans for spare time, making sure I have ample opportunity to visit him, to hold him, to see his smile.”
Even the way he celebrates Mass recalls his special connection with his grandson, as the way a priest he admired held the chalice during consecration was “as if he was cradling the head of an infant … the first time I celebrated Mass after Jack was born … I remembered my grandson, as if I could cradle him at the same moment that I cradle the Precious Blood. In so many ways, he is always on my mind and in my prayers.”
In St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, Julia Cullen, the coordinator of religious education and parish catechetical leader said that grandparents are honored every summer on The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
After noting that each year, the Holy Father presents a different theme for each observance, Cullen said that grandparents are celebrated during Mass and then a continental breakfast is served for grandparents and their grandchildren. There is also discussion about Jesus’ grandparents – St. Anne and St. Joachim.
She said that sometimes the parish presents the grandparents with a certificate with handprints, but this year a questionnaire was distributed. Also there were two speakers who were parishioners and grandparents, speak about passing on the faith to grandchildren, Cullen said.
“We asked them to speak about what that means to them and what they do,” she said.
Father Chris Picollo, pastor of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, shares a joyful moment with a parish family as they celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. Facebook photo