From the Bishop
‘In Their Old Age, They Still Bear Fruit’ A homily given by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, July 23 and 24
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he Holy Father gives a public audience every Wednesday in Rome. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world attend to hear his message and receive his blessing. Perhaps some of you have had the occasion and opportunity to attend. Since Easter of this past year, Pope Francis has devoted his audience talks to the theme of being elderly. At the age of 85, he speaks from the experience and blessing of a long life and, no doubt, wants to share a bit of wisdom about what growing older means to him. Last year, Pope Francis gave a great gift to the Church when he established the first “Annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly” to be celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of Saints Joachim and Ann, the parents of the Blessed Mother Mary and the grandparents of the Lord Jesus. In creating this annual celebration, the Pope reflected that “grandparents are often forgotten, and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on what the elderly have received.” He addressed the importance of grandparents and
grandchildren getting to know one another: grandparents see their grandchildren dream while young people draw strength from their grandparents to go forward and prophesy (Inside the Vatican, January 31, 2021).” In my own life, I was blessed to know three of my four grandparents. They were beautiful and loving people. Today, here in our parish, I am delighted A Message from to see so many BISHOP DAVID M. grandparents and O’CONNELL, C.M. elder members of this community of faith. Your presence today, as the whole of your lives, bears witness to the great faith that has brought you to the present moment. So many years! So many memories! So many joys and sorrows! So, much of a life that has been – through it all – God’s gift to you! And, as our Holy Father has quoted from the psalms, “In their old age, they still bear fruit.” As we celebrate the length of years and all the love that has filled them, we also give thanks for them and with them. It is Continued on 8
A senior couple in St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, holds hands for recitation of The Lord’s Prayer during the July 24 Mass Bishop O’Connell celebrated for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Mike Ehrmann photo
August 2022
THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 7