Celebrate World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

plymouth-diocese.org.uk

What do we do for the elderly? How do we take care of them? Do our elderly feel lonely? Do they truly have dignity?

On Sunday 23th July, we celebrate the third World Day for Grandparents and Elderly.

Pope Francis has chosen the theme “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50) connecting the Rome event to the great celebration of the World Youth Day in Lisbon (Aug. 1-6), and in other words to ideally put young and old ‘in dialogue’, as the Pope has always desired. The day will be celebrated with a Mass by the Pope in St. Peter’s Square.

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has insisted on overcoming the “throwaway culture” and embarking on a culture of relationships. Today we all know that we live in a society where the elderly are not at the centre. The Holy Father’s reflection prompts us to ask some soul-searching questions, “What do we do for the elderly? How do we take care of them? Do our elderly feel lonely? Do they truly have dignity?” Here, we have to put the elderly person at the centre and learn from them, and have the desire to think about them and desire to know how they are doing.

Kitchen Prayer

Lord of all pots and pans and things, Since I have no time to be A saint by doing lovely things Or watching late with Thee Or dreaming in the dawn light Or storming heaven’s gates; Make me a saint by getting meals And washing up the plates. Although I have Martha’s hands, I have a Mary mind.

And when I black the boots and shoes Thy sandals, Lord, I find.

I think of how they trod the earth each time I scrub the floor; Accept this meditation Lord, I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love, and light it with Thy peace, Forgive me all my worrying and make my grumbling cease.

Thou who didst love to give men food, in room or by the sea Accept this service that I do, I do it unto Thee.

(Karla Munkres) www.crownofthorns.org.uk email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk

Crown of Thorns

Mission of Hope www.crownofthorns.org.uk email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk

Promoting the Holy Rosary in the U.K. & throughout the world to bring hope, comfort and peace to the marginalised, the oppressed and the imprisoned, enabling wounded hearts to find healing and shattered lives to find breath and space to renew.

Supporting priests and chaplains in their ministry, outreach and welfare.

Crown of Thorns relies on experienced personnel giving their time free of charge to carry out the work of the charity.

Phone: 01342 870472

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