WEST PALM BEACH - On Jan. 31, Pope Francis established World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, which will take place every year on the fourth Sunday in July, coinciding with the feasts of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
A Vatican News statement reported that Pope Francis, recalling the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – when the elderly Simeon and Anna encountered the child Jesus and recognized him as the Messiah –said, “the Holy Spirit even today stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly.” The voice of the elderly “is precious,” he said, “because it sings the praises of God and preserves the roots of the peoples.”
This is a Christian value that students at St. Ann School in West Palm Beach recognized and honored during Catholic Schools Week in late January 2021. During Catholic Schools Week, one day is dedicated to celebrating the value grandparents bring to the Catholic faith and family life. Schools typically invite grandparents to visit campus on this day for a special Mass, luncheons and special school activities.
Since many students could not celebrate with their grandparents due to COVID-19, Danielle Twist, a second grade teacher and religious director at St. Ann School, collaborated with classroom teachers to create video greetings for grandparents living near and far.
“Since St. Ann is the grandparent of Jesus, she’s also the grandparent of the Church. I thought it would be nice for us, as a school, to give grandparents the opportunity to see their grandchildren and preserve those relationships, even if in a small way,” said Twist.
To read the full Florida Catholic Media article, click here.
