Sunday, July 26, is the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. This observance occurs every year on the fourth Sunday of July, near the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (7/26), the grandparents of Jesus. The theme for this year’s celebration is “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). Find Pope Leo’s message for this event here (English, Spanish). (Note that the U.S. bishops have approved the transfer of this celebration to the Sunday after Labor Day in September.)
Recognizing the importance of grandparents in the lives of their grandchildren, Pflaum offers the guidance of Dr. Marylin Kravatz-Toolan for home study by parents and grandparents (English, Spanish).
Dr. Marylin, the grandmother of eleven, shares ideas for supporting grandparents in the faith formation of their grandchildren. Through her love of teaching, Dr. Marylin offers ideas for including grandparents in the religious ed/catechesis/faith development of their grandchildren and providing support for parents as they journey together as the primary educators in faith.
To grandparents, she writes: “Thank you for responding to the invitation to recognize your honorable place in the family. Thank you as well for realizing that you can offer so much to your family not only in what you already do as a parent/grandparent but also as a disciple in handing on the faith.”
Image credit: © CatholicGrandparentsAssociation.org
