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The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly each July on the Sunday closest to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. The celebration is July 24 this year. In his video message, the pope noted the high number of older men and women in the world compared to young people and said that today, there are “many plans for assistance for the old age, but few plans for existence.”
Elderly men and women often have “a special sensitivity for care, for reflection and affection” that is sorely needed in today’s war-torn world. The Pope who is struggling with age-related issues himself said, “We are, or we can become, teachers of tenderness. And indeed, we can!” He added, “In this world accustomed to war, we need a true revolution of tenderness.”
The video shows images of an elderly man and woman baking a cake together, which they then share with their grandchildren. Pope said: “Let us remember: grandparents and the elderly are the bread that nourishes our lives, the hidden wisdom of a people. That is why we must celebrate them, and I have established a day dedicated to them.”
Our communities of St. Stephen and CTK are blessed with elderly folks who are true champions of faith and tenderness. Imagine, what our churches will look like if we had no elderly folks. In addition, we are blessed with the ministry of retired priests and nuns, who inspire us with their wisdom and pastoral care. They continue their ministry well into their later years, and only slow down once illness forces them to. I have always believed that with age comes wisdom and our retired priests still have a lot to teach us. I am so grateful for our priests – Fr. Brian Timoney, Fr. Gerry Moran, Fr. Tom Burns and Fr. Mike Dibble. We are also blessed with other retired priests, Fr. Vince Cotter, Fr. Wayne Campbell to name a few.
Our society is getting older and older, and yet it tends to exclude and isolate elderly people, putting their identity and social role in crisis, especially regarding their relations with younger generations. I see young couples making great sacrifices for the upbringing of their children. Will their children take care of them when they are old? Many of you, who are young adults, would have come across such a question in your life. But have we ever realized that our parents would have made similar sacrifices during our childhood?
Philo of Alexandria, a contemporary of our Lord, said, "When old storks become unable to fly, they remain in their nests and are fed by their children, who go to endless exertions to provide their food because of their piety." We live in a time when sacred duties are often turned over to the state. Some Christians expect public charity to do what private piety ought to do. Taking care of an aged parent is simply repaying the love they gave us in our time of need with love in their time of need.
The Pope is inviting us this month through prayer and reflection to embrace our older generation with love and care. Let us join the Pope in praying for the elderly this month. Let our elderly men and women inspire us with their wisdom, their tenderness and loving care.
Fr. Paulson
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