Pastor's Corner July.27.2025 - World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday, we join the universal Church in celebrating the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, a day close to the heart of Pope Francis, who reminded us that the elderly are not leftovers from a past age, but living witnesses of God’s faithfulness. This year, we also lift up in prayer and thanksgiving the special vocation of Godparents, spiritual companions in faith.

Our grandparents, elderly parishioners, and godparents are living treasures among us. They are the ones who have walked the path of faith before us. They have prayed for us, taught us, and loved us through life’s seasons. Their wisdom, born of life’s joys and sufferings, is a gift we too often overlook in a world that rushes forward without pause.

Pope Francis once said that the elderly are like “roots of a tree,” grounding us in memory and reminding us of who we are. Godparents, similarly, help root us in the family of faith. They promise to walk with us in our spiritual journey — not as perfect people, but as faithful guides pointing us to Christ.

Let this day be a reminder to honor, cherish, and visit our grandparents and elderly loved ones — to listen to their stories, to learn from their lives, and to thank them for their enduring presence. Let it also be a call to godparents: to rekindle the fire of their spiritual role and renew their commitment to accompany their godchildren in prayer, love, and example.

At St. Mary’s, may we continue to be a parish family that treasures every generation — from the wisdom of our elders to the energy of our youth. Together, we are the Body of Christ, each part necessary, each one beloved.

With gratitude for all those who guide us in faith,

Fr. Joseph D Souza OP