July 27, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Yesterday was the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. They had a famous daughter named Mary and they were the grandparents of Jesus. Sometimes it’s difficult to fathom that Jesus had family members like us. But remember, He was true God and true Man. Pope Francis in his pastoral wisdom has declared the fourth Sunday in July “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.” I was pleased to celebrate last Sunday’s 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. John Neumann Parish in Waukesha. Concelebrating the Mass was the pastor, Father Pat Heppe, and three priests from St. Camillus. In addition to the celebration of the World Day for Grandparents, we also were highlighting the inauguration of a new wellness clinic, which will be located at St. John Neumann. I can envision that this will be a great resource, especially for the senior members of the parish.
The Order of St. Camillus is dedicated to the mission of health care. We are fortunate to enjoy their ministry here in the Archdiocese. The project was completed through the efforts of our community liaison director Mrs. Lydia LoCoco, the parish, and the community of St. Camillus. I am hopeful that this might be a model for other parishes who wish to imitate this type of ministry.
The homily gave me an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of grandparents and the elderly. Before Mass, Father Pat Heppe asked if I might use the term “senior” rather than elderly. Considering the request, I realized that the category of the elderly included ME. So, I readily agreed to the change. I also realized that my high school and college classmates who did not continue in the seminary are all grandparents, a shocking realization, especially for one as young as myself (at least in my mind).
I was never a Mama’s boy, but I readily admit I was a grandma’s boy. My sister will attest to the fact that I was grandma’s favorite. Once, when my mother was not going to be home for our mid-day lunch, we were instructed to go to our grandmother’s for lunch during our school break. My grandmother served me steak and served my sister a “hot dog”. To this day, she has never let me forget that lunch.
Pope Francis, in his reflection on the contribution of grandparents and “seniors,” said they are an integral part of our human family. He used three words to describe their contributions, “dreams, memory and prayer.” The senior members of our community dream the dreams declared by the prophet Joel. It is our seniors who understand the possibility of building a world of justice, of peace, and of solidarity. These dreams are passed on to the young that create new visions. The seniors possess “memories,” especially of the sacrifices and the sufferings they experienced. Keeping their memories alive help us to avoid committing the same mistakes, and to understand the price that many paid for our well-being. When a senior’s physical health is diminished, they still have the ability to join their lives with others for the mission of the Church in prayer. Pope Francis quoted Pope Benedict who said, “The prayer of the elderly can protect the world, helping it perhaps more effectively than the frenetic activity of many others.” Today, Pope Benedict is a model of this prayerful activity.
Our Grandparents and seniors are role models. Their dreams, memories and prayers help us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
