Friday, July 25th 2025 Established 1905 27 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana Year 120, No. 28
Parishes need to launch ‘revolution VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV called on every parish and church group or association to become part of a “revolution” of care and gratitude by regularly visiting older people. “Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are,” the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, a church celebration that will take place July 27. “In this case, it urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which the elderly are entitled,” he wrote in the message released July 10. The pope’s message expanded on the theme chosen for this year’s world day, which was taken from the Book of Sirach: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope.”
Pope visits elderly at care home - p2 Patriarch’s visit hailed ‘a miracle,’ while parishioners in Gaza feel desperation - p3 A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4 Sunday Scripture - p5 Ireland’s abortion rates rise 62 percent over 5 years; Catholic advocates call it ‘a tragedy’ - p6 Karaudaranau celebrates feast day - p7 Rome to welcome 500,000 young people for Jubilee of Youth - p7 Pressing issues for the Antilles Church - p8 Children’s Page - p9 Growing in Grace Week 64 - p10 88-year-old catechist from Singapore has brought 2,000 people into the Church - p11 PBC Choir of Grenada arrives in Guyana - p12 Is natural family planning finally breaking into US medical schools? - p14 Pope celebrates Apollo 11 anniversary - p15 Catholic Memory Lane - p16
The 2025 celebration marks the fifth edition of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and Pope Leo’s first message for the day. Pope Francis instituted the world day in 2021; it is observed each year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. (please turn to page 10)
Bishop’s Engagements Sunday, July 27th 09:00hrs - Mass at St. Joseph the Worker, Linden (joint mass to commemorate 75th Anniversary) Tuesday, July 29th 18:00hrs – Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting Sunday, August 3rd 07:30hrs – Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
The Guyanese delegation to the AEC Youth Leadership Conference on Sunday July 20th joined His Lordship Bishop John Persaud for Holy Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Fr Joel Thompson SJ
concelebrated with Bishop John. Bishop Persaud, in a Spirit-filled homily, reminded those present that: “The moment we cut off from Jesus, we begin to see how empty we become.”
In photo above are (from left): Ms. Jael Laud, Ms. Graziella Abraham, Fr. Joel Thompson SJ, Bishop John Persaud, Mr. Joshua Van-Sluytman, Mr. David Smith. ❖ (Adapted from Catholic Media Guyana Facebook page).
Francis Alleyne OSB