By CBCP News
July 15, 2021
Manila, Philippines
The bishops’ Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) is hosting a virtual conference to mark the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly next week.
The three-day online event from July 22 to 24 will feature talks, testimonies, reflections and prayers.
The conference will open Thursday at 2:00 p.m. with a talk on the celebration’s theme, “I am with you always”, by Catherine Wiley, the founder and international president of the Catholic Grandparents Association (GCA).
On Friday, participants will hear testimonies of grandparents “who are passing on the faith to their grandchildren in challenging times”.
The 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. session will end with prayers for healing.
On Saturday, ECFL chairman Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa will reflect on “The Dignity of the Elderly and their Mission in the Church” according to Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia”.
ECFL has partnered with the Episcopal Commissions on Youth and on Liturgy, and with GCA for the conference to complement the regional and diocesan programs.
Pope Francis in January announced the establishment of a World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, to take place every year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents.
In the Philippines, the dioceses launched a series of events to celebrate this year’s observance, which falls on July 25.
The bishops’ conference on June 4 also released a pastoral statement about the celebration to honor grandparents and the elderly.
“As a country blessed by 500 years of Christianity, let us make sure that grandparents remain – and feel – that elders are cherished members of our families, communities and nation,” part of the statement read.
DONATE TO CBCP NEWS
CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media. This is non-commercial and non-profit. That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters.
Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button. Thank you.
No comments: