Pope Francis has dedicated Sunday, July 25, 2021 as the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The theme for this first celebration is “I am with you always” referring to the Gospel of Saint Matthew 28:20. Bishop Bambera will commemorate this Day at a Pontifical Mass at 10:00AM Mass in the Cathedral on July 25.

We encourage you to celebrate this event in your parishes as well.  The USCCB and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life offer many helpful and easy to incorporate resources.  These include:

  • Pastoral Kit
  • Message of Pope Francis – printable version
  • Message of Pope Francis
  • Prayer for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
  • Pastoral Guidelines
  • Liturgy notes
  • Words from Pope Francis
  • A video message by Pope Francis
  • Resources for Social Media

 

To access these resources, please go to:

USCCB: https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/elderly-grandparents

Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life: http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/amoris-laetitia/pastoral-resources-world-day-for-grandparents-and-the-elderly21.html

The Office for Parish Life has also prepared a resource for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.