This year, Pope Francis' instituted World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be held on the fourth Sunday of July (25 July for 2021), close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus (26 July).

Pope Francis instituted the World Day because ‘grandparents are often forgotten, and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on’ what the elderly have received.

According to Vatican News, he emphasised the importance of grandparents and grandchildren getting to know one another, because ‘as the prophet Joel says, grandparents seeing their grandchildren dream’, while ‘young people, drawing strength from their grandparents, will go forward and prophesy’.

Usually, many grandparents visit Townsville at this time of year. In a typical year, we have traditionally held a special assembly in Term 3 to honour grandparents and those senior adults who fulfil such a role for our students. If you have attended this assembly in the past, you will know how well it is attended and it is evident that grandparents aren’t forgotten, they are in fact very significant in the lives of our students. We are currently looking at how to schedule such an event in recognition of this essential group.

In our school community, grandparents fulfil a variety of roles from driving children to and from school, caring for children when they are sick to assisting in the tuck-shop and at key events in the life of our school.

To all of the grandparents and significant elders in our community – take a bow! You are valued and appreciated. May God continue to enrich your lives as you watch your grandchildren develop.

God bless,

Geraldine