PARISH & MISSION NEWS Fr. Peter Lourdes, kicks off week long preparation for World Grandparents Day 2021 17 July, Kolkata: A week-long preparation for the World Grandparents Day to be held on July 25, was kicked off today by Fr. Gilbert, the Catechetical Director from Don Bosco Nitika through a zoom interaction. Around 90 participants took part in this event.
Fr. Gilbert presented the idea behind dedicating a day for Grandparents by Holy Father Pope Francis on January 31 with the theme, ‘I am with you always.” Pope Francis chose fourth Sunday of July that coincidently falls close to the Feast Day of St. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
Wide celebration of World Day for Grandparents and Elderly at various Salesian parishes The call by Pope Francis to celebrate a day in honour of grandparents and elderly was taken seriously by many parishes in the province who took initiatives to make this day a special one for them. Kolkata: 38 grandparents and elderly were honoured here at Auxilium Parish, Gobra, by organizing a whole day spiritual program. The day was set aside for them, where they were asked to make a prior appointment for the event due to covid restrictions.
The great attraction of the event was the message from Fr. Peter Lourdes, SDB, a 95-year-old Salesian priest who himself was a covid survivor. He spoke about his early years, his educational qualification, the pandemic, ecology, his relationship with God and his old age. “…coming to terms with retirement and old age is a spirituality…,” was a takeaway point from the talk of father.
The program was animated by Auxilium Renewal Centre members under the guidance of Father Ramesh and Sr. Sandhya, FMA. Fr. P.A. John, the Parish Priest highlighted the points placed by Holy Father and pointed out the importance of grandparents in the families. The participants were prepared spiritually with the Rosary service, one hour of Animation by Sr. Sandhya, Adoration service and Confession. Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. PA John, the Parish Priest. The event finally concluded with the giving away of spiritual gifts to the participants as a token of appreciation.
Fr. Gilbert further highlighted on the Day of Grandparents and explained why Pope Francis established this day with his attractive PowerPoint presentation.
Mirik: The Salesian Youth Ministry (SYM) of Don Bosco Parish, Mirik and its subcenters observed the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly today with around 30 Baje-Bojus at various centers. The KNOTS I July-Sept 2021 27
