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Grandparents' Week began on Sunday 24 September. The week offers an important opportunity to recognise the gifts that the older members of our families have given us, and to celebrate the contribution that grandparents make to the lives of the children in our parishes and schools – especially in the role of handing on our faith. Speaking about this important annual celebration in the life of the Diocese, our Marriage and Family Life Adviser Katherine Bergin said:

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"We are grateful to grandparents for their witness to the faith - whether they are natural grandparents, or those with the wisdom of years in our parishes and schools. Through their consistency of practice and love of the Lord they teach us the joy of belonging to the faith.

"During this week many schools and parishes will be finding ways to celebrate them. For those without specific activities, this week offers an opportunity to perhaps individually find a time to give thanks to God for all those who have nurtured our own faith."

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There are a range of ways that members of our faith family can celebrate this special week – including the celebration of a special Grandparents’ Mass or liturgy, inviting grandparents to a picnic or cream tea, setting up special Grandparent Prayer Partners in schools, or inviting grandparents in for a special shared story time. You could also pray the grandparents' prayer below:

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