ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY
  • Renewal
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • MASS TIMES
  • Jubilee 2025

His mercy is from age to age

7/20/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
My 95 year old mother did not know a grandparent, a cousin, an aunt or an uncle growing up.  But it is like the Lord is making up for what she did not have, as now there are close to 90 of us with our families and children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Truly, the blessings of abundance are bountiful!

Celebrating the third World Day for Grandparents and the elderly is especially heartwarming for me this year. First, to be a grandparent to 11 on earth, and to have my own mother still with us as a grandmother and great grandmother is truly a blessing.
​
The alignment of the World Youth Day preparations with the celebration of this day serves as a reminder for young adults to appreciate the gift of their grandparents. As they participate in the festivities in Lisbon, Portugal, this year's World Day for Grandparents and Elderly theme, "His Mercy is from age to age" (Luke 1:15), echoes a message that God’s eyes are always on us. Taken from the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, this verse speaks volumes of the generations who celebrate in this Mercy.
Picture
The connection between the young and the old is vitally  important. Whether it is being there as a grandparent to offer support and wisdom, or whether it is accepting the outstretched hand of the young offering help, both are so very necessary. Even if your grandparents are no longer with you, there are many elderly waiting to receive the touch of a grandchild figure, or for them to be a grandparent to a child.
​
During the pandemic when care facilities, and other living accommodations were closed off to visitors, our family came up with an idea to be able to see mom everyday by using FaceTime.  This allows us to pray the daily rosary with her, to bring to prayer those who had special needs, and to remain connected.  For over 2.5 years we have continued the practice as a family, and those who are able to join in can do so on any given day.

There are countless ways to maintain strong connections with our elderly loved ones, and each small effort can make a significant difference. Looking for ideas?
  • Invite your elderly loved ones to Mass or rosary prayers in your community, especially this Sunday, July 23, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Be sure to share the message of our Holy Father to them for the World Day. 
  • Enjoy outdoor activities with the elderly - a leisurely stroll or a picnic can offer quality bonding time.
  • Virtual visits (via FaceTime, Zoom, etc.) have become easier to navigate due to COVID. Many elderly individuals are now zoom-savvy, and some can ask friends or neighbours for help setting up these platforms.
  • Play games! Engage in board games, card or online games (like Pogo or even Minecraft). You can help set it up on their iPad or computer, and let the fun begin! 
  • Cooking together is a wonderful activity to engage in with grandparents or elderly loved ones. Compile favourite recipes with your elderly loved ones and cook them together. It's a fun way to spend time together while preserving family traditions. 
  • Assisting the elderly with errands - such as grocery shopping, driving to appointments, household repairs, or garden pruning - is a gesture that they're sure to appreciate greatly.
  • Write letters to your elderly loved ones - The art of writing letters may seem archaic, but its charm is timeless. The experience of holding and reading from a piece of paper filled with personal thoughts and sentiments can be deeply moving. It's a unique way to share your life and express your love. 
  • Last but not least, make the time to call your grandparents or someone elderly, and engage in a sincere conversation. This seemingly small act of connection will undoubtedly be cherished.

Picture
Picture
As grandparents  we experience the joys and sufferings of each of our children and grandchildren.  There are special needs, and there are many ways that we can be a blessing to our grown children and our grandchildren. I always recall with great gratitude the many times my own parents took our children, and the mercy shown to us when we were  young parents. It is this boundless mercy shown to us that I desire to pass on to our own children and grandchildren.  Those blessings that we received as young parents are still felt today, as I reach out to, and try to provide a place of secure welcome to our own grandchildren.
​
To witness to, and to be there for our grandchildren, as our presence is required, allows our grandchildren to receive so many benefits of family living united in the hope and the promise of the gospel message.

We are called to be there, and to especially be there for our aging parents / grandparents. To be a sign of hope in a culture that wants to cancel people is so very important.  It means taking a stand and to pray through our current culture, while keeping our focus on what brings life. To be people of hope, when all hope seems diminished stands as a beacon for the world.  God’s plan is so much bigger than what we can imagine, and we can be that sign of hope for others.  It is not about a “perfect” life, it is about allowing God’s will and His plan to unfold for our lives, having the cross at the centre. It is about caring for those that God puts in our path. The love and respect given to and from grandparents can never be diminished.

When cultures are cancelling the weak and the vulnerable, it is time to stand up, and be counter cultural. Let us be the “voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3). Do not be afraid to be the one to show His Mercy, and to respect the life we have been given from conception to natural death.

My grandfather, when asked how to raise children, simply said, “teach them their faith, and use good common sense.” Today this is still sound advice, so simple and yet so true. His words of wisdom have stood the test of time.
​
As we navigate through this complex and unforgiving world, let’s revisit this advice, and may we proclaim with boldness the message of mercy to our grandchildren.

Written by Mary Ann Donaleshen for #CatholicYYC. Mary Ann is a wife, mother, and grandmother, and has been married to Roland for 43 years. Mary Ann and Roland are parishioners of St. Joseph's Parish in Calgary. They have 4 children and 11  grandchildren. Mary Ann retired after working 15 years for the Diocese of Calgary, and spends her time caring for the needs of family, and volunteers for refugees coming from Turkey. Photos courtesy of Mary Ann Donaleshen.
Picture

Picture

Has dishonor crept into the way we relate with our elders?

Join Archbishop Richard Smith for a discussion about his grandparents, the art of storytelling across generations, the troubling societal trend of neglecting our elders, how older Bishops have mentored him, the connection between World Youth Day and strengthening the relationship between different generations of Catholics, and much more.  https://caedm.ca/upfront/
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    Advent & Christmas
    Art
    Bereavement
    Bishop Emeritus Henry
    Bishop McGrattan
    Book Review
    Care For Creation
    Catechetics
    Catholic Charities & Development
    Catholic Education
    Catholic Pastoral Centre
    Catholic Schools
    CCCB
    Children
    Christian Unity
    Climate Change
    Communications
    Consecrated Life
    Consecrated Virgin
    Conversion
    Covid 19
    Culture
    CWL
    Development & Peace
    Devotions
    Diocesan Event
    Disci
    Discipleship
    Ecumenical
    Elizabeth House
    Environment
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Faithful Living
    Faithfully
    Family
    Feed The Hungry
    From The Bishop's Office
    Fundraising
    Funeral
    Grieving
    Health
    Health Care
    Homelessness
    Hospitality
    Indigenous
    In Memoriam
    Interfaith
    Jubilarians
    Jubilee
    Jubilee 2025
    Lay Associations
    Lent
    Lent & Easter
    Liturgy
    Marian
    Marriage
    Mary
    Mass
    Men's Ministry
    Mental Health
    Migrants
    Miscarriage
    Mission Mexico
    Movie Review
    Music
    One Rock
    Online Formation
    Ordination
    Palliative Care
    Parenting
    Parish Life
    Pastoral Care
    Pastoral Renewal
    Pastoral Visit
    Permanent Diaconate
    Pope
    Pope Francis
    Prayer
    Pray For Peace
    Priesthood
    Prolife
    RCIA
    Reconciliation
    Refugee
    Religious Education
    Religious Freedom
    Religious Life
    Resources And Guidelines
    Sacred Art
    Safe Environment
    Saints
    Scripture & Reflection
    Seminarians
    Seniors
    SFXC
    Social Justice
    Stewardship
    St. Joseph
    St. Mary's University
    Synod
    Vatican
    Vocation
    You Are Called
    You Belong
    You Matter
    Youth And Young Adults
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

GET TO KNOW US
Our Bishop
Offices & Ministries
​Our Staff
Read our Blog
Catholic Community
​Lay Associations
CONNECT WITH US
If You Choose To Talk About it
​
Contact us
​Careers
​Parish Boundaries
​Mass Times

Volunteer Screening
NEED INFO ON
Becoming Catholic
Marriage Preparation
​Vocations
Annulment 
Sacraments Prep
Catholic Funeral
GIVE TO
Diocesan Ministries
Together in Action
Feed the Hungry
Elizabeth House
Your Parish Church​ 
​Other Ministry
REPORT ABUSE

Catholic Pastoral Centre  | 120 - 17th Ave SW, Calgary, AB  T2S 2T2 | ​Phone: 403-218-5500 | [email protected]
Charitable Number: 
10790-9939-RR0076​. Donate Now.
Photo from aronbaker2
  • Renewal
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • MASS TIMES
  • Jubilee 2025