On the day the Catholic Church around the globe celebrated the second annual World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis focused on how “grandfathers and grandmothers are those who have handed on history, traditions, customs – many things.”
“Young people need contact with their grandparents, to go back to them, to their roots, not to remain there, not, but to carry them forward,” like a tree that draws nourishment from its roots to flower and produce fruit, the Pope said July 24.
Such sentiments were on the minds of those around the Diocese of Camden, too, in the days leading up to the celebration, which the pope decreed in 2021 would be recognized every year on the fourth Sunday of July.
Jeff and Debbie Lyons of Church of the Incarnation Parish, Mantua, said being blessed with a long life gives them more opportunities to hand down the faith to their three daughters and 14 grandchildren.
“We lead by example, what we were taught [about Catholicism] our whole lives, and then we pass it along to our children and right down the line,” said Jeff Lyons. “That keeps the Church going strong.”
That is the case for Linzey Boyer, 12, of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville, who told her grandmother, Trudy Ward, she knows she is a faithful person by the way she lives her life.
Ward, 75, is a retired teacher and volunteers with the parish’s religious education program. When an aunt was ill in the hospital, Linzey explained, “You made food for her and everyone else. That showed me how faithful you are. Plus, you always go to Mass and you pray.”
Fellow parishioner Carly Audio, 12, had a similar story, sharing that she sees her grandmother, Mary, regularly pray the Rosary. Carly said she would like her grandmother to help her learn more about the Marian devotion, as it would help her learn more about Jesus.
“Maybe that’s something we could do together,” Mary Audio, 71, responded. “You could learn the different mysteries. It’s a beautiful prayer.”
Audio, a retired teacher who taught in Catholic schools for nearly 30 years, explained that it was her mother and father who passed on the faith when she was a child.
“Growing up, we had family prayer, family Rosary, grace before meals … and we went to Church every Sunday,” she said. “That was important to me. I also went to Catholic school for 12 years. That was a good foundation. I’ve always felt that is what I needed to do – to learn about my religion.”
Asked Carly, “What do you hope I find in our faith?”
“I find peace, calmness in a hectic world, and I know that Jesus is there if I need him,” her grandmother responded. “I hope that is something you would feel, too.”
Ward said it’s important for her to see her granddaughter receive all her sacraments in the Church. “I realize how important my faith is in my daily life. As I got older, it was even more important because I knew I had to be a role model for my family – for my three daughters and my grandchildren.”
Looking toward Linzey, she said, “I hope you’ll [continue to] realize how important it is to have God in your life.”
Linzey said she already has some knowledge of that importance, admitting that sometimes when she has a question, she asks, “What would Jesus do?”
“One time at school, my friend was being picked on, and I remembered what Jesus said: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ I stuck up for the person, I told a teacher, and the problem got solved. My friend felt a lot better,” Linzey said.
Ward encouraged her granddaughter to always feel free to ask her questions about their faith. “How can I be better at teaching you?”
“You’re already very good,” Linzey responded. “I just hope you keep furthering my knowledge about Jesus.”
Catholic News Service as well as video interviews from digital media manager John Kalitz and staff photographer Dave Hernandez contributed to this report.
Coming in August
Grandparents discuss on video how they are influencing their younger family members as they sit down with grandchildren to discuss living one’s faith. Visit VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services of the Diocese of Camden at vitality.camdendiocese.org.
Save the Date
What: Centenarian and Nonagenarian Mass, sponsored by VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services
When: 11:30 a.m., Sept. 11, with a luncheon reception to follow
Where: Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Saint Isidore the Farmer Church, 1655 Magnolia Road, Vineland
R.S.V.P.: By Sept. 2 to Karen Fisher at 856-583-6121 or Karen.fisher@camdendiocese.org or at VitalityEvents@camdendiocese.org
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