A  MOVEMENT OF PRAYER OF GRANDPARENTS FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.     Special event: Grandparent prayer and tea on Radio Veritas facebook. http://with the https://www.facebook.com/RadioVeritasSA link

 MARFAM FAMILY WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER 23 JULY 2025 .  

About 15 years ago I came up with the idea of a Movement of Prayer of Grandparents for their Grandchildren, believing that there was a real need for some kind of mutual support. Sharing our stories and praying together could be such a source of support. Not all grandparents are old and there is something uniquely spiritual in this particular family relationship, just as there is with our own children, their parents.   I know that on the whole most grandparents love their grandchildren very much and many have good relationships with them – even though sometimes we do hate them.   But that isn’t always the case.  Even in good relationships there are concerns and worries over time.   We often come across grandparents who are seriously concerned about the grandchildren, young and older and they certainly pray about their concerns all the time, but maybe not have a trusted confidante to share their feelings with.

There are all kinds of realities, from infancy up, medical, psychological, educational, practical and  even spiritual as in the practice of religion, children joining other churches or strange occult groups. One particularly close family I know had a kidney problem with one of the young ones and a parent donated a kidney to the child while everyone was involved. Another example is of grandparents adopting grandchildren because their unmarried daughter who suffered from depression committed suicide, or there might be an accident leaving children orphaned. Often grandchildren find themselves in a step family where there may be conflict with a stepfather or mother. The death of one grandparent can be a real sadness.   Cases of substance abuse,  drinking and drugs are not uncommon in teenagers. Inappropriate friendships, gangsterism, sex, pregnancy, abortions, pornography are among our concerns mainly in teen years but at all ages, even for young adults there can be concerns over their relationships, studies and careers. Some older families experience dementia in one of the grandparents, which also has an impact on the whole family.  Every issue that surfaces in the media concerning children touches the hearts and minds of grandparents while at the same time we are concerned about our own children, their parents. Often we would like to be closer, but they have moved away taking the grandchildren with them.  Some young adults travel on their own and hardly communicate.  Therefore our prayer time is a way and a step in relationship building  

The generation gap can be quite large and we can find it hard to understand one another.    Some older people feel helpless and that they are no longer useful in life.  They often have more time and a greater desire for a deeper prayer life, as an individual, maybe part of a sodality or prayer group.   This prayer life can profitably include praying for children and grandchildren, praising God, expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness and asking for their needs.       

This Movement of Prayer is designed to help us as grandparents to recognize the important contribution we can still make in the lives of our families, no matter how far away.   Meeting with a small group of other grandparents, sharing our stories, listening lovingly and praying is a way to offer mutual support, which is also promoted through  the new synodal way.  There is no formal structure, or counselling.  How often, where and when to meet can be decided or left open. It can be combined with some other form of prayer, e.g. the rosary but that should not detract from the objective of the focus on grandparents and grandchildren as a special aspect in family spirituality. I believe that the valuable part of this movement is in strengthening our relationship with God and with other grandparents and our grandchildren through the awareness that is created and the love that can blossom.    

While MARFAM’s year planner has had a grandparent focus in July for many years, linked with the feastday of St Joachim and St Anne on 26 July,  Pope Francis initiated the formal DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY in 2020 at the end of July every year, with a particular theme.  The 2025 theme, appropriate for the Jubilee year is “Blessed are they who have not lost hope.”  Pope Leo has adopted this and in his message for the Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in which focuses mainly on the elderly in general he focuses on signs of hope. May we, oldies, be and remain signs of hope while our family members, the Church and society play their role in becoming and remaining signs of hope for all the elderly.      TR  family weekly 23.7.2025

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

July 23.   Grandma Beatrice had become very health-conscious. She also worried a lot about the grandchildren’s eating habits as they grew older, especially Jocelyn who seemed to be sick too often.  “You should eat properly,” she told the girl, “I better feed you at least once a week and teach you, so you don’t depend on take-aways after work.” “Thanks gran, I do appreciate your concern, but I’m really Ok” was the reply as she muttered under her breath. “I love her but she is such a fuss-pot.” 

Scripture: The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel, say to them ‘at twilight you shall eat flesh and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”   Exodus16:1-15. Pope Francis: “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.  You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy and it shall go well with you. Al 8.  In the home where husband and wife are seated at table, children appear at their side like olive shoots,  full of energy and vitality.  AL 14. JUBILEE: Echoing the age-old message of the prophets, the Jubilee reminds us that the goods of the earth are not destined for a privileged few, but for everyone. The rich must be generous and not avert their eyes from the faces of their brothers and sisters in need. SNC16. Act and pray. For the needs of families, especially grandparents and the elderly.