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Grandparents' Week begins on Sunday 24 September, offering a range of wonderful opportunities for our schools and parishes to celebrate grandparents across the Diocese. In his letter to celebrate the second annual Grandparent’s Day, Pope Francis said:

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“Many people are afraid of old age. They consider it a sort of disease with which any contact is best avoided. The elderly, they think, are none of their concern and should be set apart, perhaps in homes or places where they can be cared for, lest we have to deal with their problems. This is the mindset of the “throw-away culture”, which leads us to think that we are somehow different from the poor and vulnerable in our midst, untouched by their frailties and separated from “them” and their troubles. The Scriptures see things differently. A long life – so the Bible teaches – is a blessing, and the elderly are not outcasts to be shunned but living signs of the goodness of God who bestows life in abundance. Blessed is the house where an older person lives! Blessed is the family that honours the elderly!”

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Our Diocese honours the very great role that grandparents and the elderly play in the lives of families, and in the handing on of the precious gift of faith to their children and grandchildren with a week of prayer and celebration.

During Grandparents' Week, we take time to celebrate the wonderful contribution that grandparents make to the lives of the children in our schools – both in practical help and support and in sharing and passing on the Catholic Faith. There are a number of ways to celebrate this important week:

- Invite grandparents to a special Mass or Liturgy.

- Invite them into school to work alongside their grandchildren, sharing a favourite story or hobby together or working on a collaborative project e.g., creating a special outdoor garden or prayer area.

- Set up a 'pen-pal' letter writing activity which could include writing to local care or nursing homes.

We know that our community will be wonderfully creative with lots of ideas for ways to celebrate this special week, we invite you, as always, to share your celebrations with us.

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