July 28, 2024 brought on the fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated in conjunction with the feast day of Jesus’ grandparents, Sts. Joachim and Anne. To focus our attention on one of his familiar themes – the problem of loneliness in our contemporary culture, Pope Francis chose, as this year’s theme, a line from Psalm 71 – “Do not cast me off in my old age.”
By cherishing the charisms of grandparents and the elderly, and the contribution they make to the life of the Church, the World Day seeks to support the efforts of every ecclesial community to forge bonds between the generations and to combat loneliness. That’s just what the our AJJs (Jeanne Jugan Associates) aimed at doing on this occasion. Well in advance, they themselves asked how they might participate, as has become their tradition. Since this was another chance to reach out to our Residents and to be open to receive from them their own God-given gifts, Mother Celine Thérèse suggested that the Associates choose Residents, send them cards, and come to visit them, even before the day of the celebration. And so the cards and visitors arrived.
Then, on Friday, July 26, at 7 p.m. Pat Lo, AJJ, offered a well-prepared presentation of the history and successive themes for World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly proposed by Pope Francis. An attentive group of Residents from both the Apartments and the Care Unit reacted quite spontaneously. They shared so many grandparent-stories that Pat had to put down her text and just listen. Pope Francis established World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021 to honor older people and to recognize that every generation has much to offer. Our Residents certainly prove this true!
Next came the Saturday-afternoon musical tribute to our Residents. On July 27, Gary and Connie came at lunchtime. Gary played the piano while Connie enlivened to meal service. Before and after lunch, they took time to enjoy chatting with a couple of Residents.
On Sunday, July 28, Holy Mass was offered for the intentions of Grandparents and Elderly. Ten-year-old Jack had said that he wanted to a good deed. His neighbors, Pat and Mike, AJJ, initiated him to dinner service at Holy Family Home. Kindly mannered young Jack won the hearts of Residents. Judy, AJJ, also added her enthusiasm to the feast day dinner.
Sunday, July 28, a three-o’clock. Root Beer Float Social drew just about all the Residents . John and Maria Marley arrived with their grandsons, Peter and Paul plus a generous supply of soft pretzels. Not only did they serve treats to the large group, they also treated the room-bound Residents to a friendly visit.
St. Jeanne Jugan must have been smiling down on this initiative thanking God for the Elderly and bringing young and old together!
