MANILA (UCAN): In January, Pope Francis established World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to take place annually on the fourth Sunday of July.
The Church in the Philippines has launched a series of events to mark this year’s event which falls on July 25.
The Sacred Heart Parish in Quezon City, Metro Manila, launched a drive to being toiletries and groceries to the elderly and sick in their community. “We have a list provided by social workers of the poorest in the parish. I think we can help at least 100 of them,” Maria Fabros, a parishioner, explained.
In the Bicol region, in the southern part of Luzon Island, people planned to accompany a priest who will administer sacraments of healing such as confession and anointing of the sick. “Not everything that we need is material. We should also help the sick and the elderly by giving them the sacraments they need,” Megan Coronel, from Albay province, said.
She said the group would observe Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic protocols by undergoing Covid-19 tests before making visits.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has released a pastoral statement about the special day.
The bishops reminded Catholics to listen to older people because they were “full of wisdom.”
They said, “The Holy Spirit still stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly today: their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards the roots of peoples. They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young,” the bishops said, quoting Pope Francis.
The bishops also reiterated the pope’s warning that grandparents are often forgotten and overlooked.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
“As a country blessed by 500 years of Christianity, let us make sure that grandparents remain and feel they are cherished members of our families, communities and nation,” they said.
