Empowering Grandparents in Sharing the Gift of Faith Parish Ministry Conference - Oct. 20, 2018 Mary Kay Boase, Holy Family Parish Whitby Racquel Sevilla, Office of Formation for Discipleship
Prayer for Grandparents (1/2) Lord Jesus, you were born of the guardian of noble domestic Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints ideals, living treasuries of sound Joachim and Anne. religious traditions. Look with love on grandparents the Make them teachers of wisdom and world over. courage, that they may pass on to Protect them! future generations the fruits of They are a source of enrichment their mature human and spiritual for families, for the Church and for experience. all of society. Lord Jesus, help families and society Support them! to value the presence and roles of As they grow older, may they grandparents. continue to be for their families strong pillars of Gospel faith,
Prayer for Grandparents (2/2) May they never be ignored or humanity for the great embrace of excluded, but always encounter life without end. Amen! respect and love. Help them to live serenely and to - Pope Benedict XVI feel welcomed in all the years of life which you give them. Mary, Mother of all the living, keep grandparents constantly in your care, accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage, and by your prayers, grant that all families may one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland, where you await all
Grandparent Vocation Pope Francis’ Prayer Intentions for Dec. 2017 https://youtu.be/c44wGdqHsUs
Grandparent Vocation “Grandparents, who have received the blessing to see their children’s children (cf. Ps 128: 6), are entrusted with a great responsibility: to transmit their life experience , their family history , the history of a community , of a people; to share wisdom with simplicity, and the faith itself — the most precious heritage! Happy is the family who have grandparents close by! A grandfather is a father twice over and a grandmother is a mother twice over.” - Pope Francis’ Address, Meeting of the Pope with the Elderly, Sept. 28, 2014
Snapshot: Grandparents in Canada • Grandparents are experiencing longer relationships with their families than ever before. • As grandparents live in the same household as their younger generations, they play important roles in child care and family life . Source: http://vanierinstitute.ca/snapshot-grandparents-canada
Grandparent Roles • Storyteller – family history and traditions • Mentor and teacher – guidance, skills & talents • Nurturer – emotional support & love • Role model – faith, morality & integrity through their witness • Playmate – fun & adventure, mutual interests - The Catholic Grandparents Handbook, Lorene Hanley Duquin
HOLY FAMIL ILY PARIS ISH Grand Camp! Family ly! F Fun! F Fait ith!
Holy Family Grand Camp Prayer Grandparents: I pray that my grandchildren will always know how much God loves them and enjoys hearing them call His name. Grandchildren: I pray that my grandparents will always know how much their love taught me about God. Amen.
Today’s objectives: • Outline the planning and ideas for running a Grand Camp • Share the experience of Holy Family, Whitby • Highlight the impact on relationships built through the camp • Inspire others to pursue opportunities for intergenerational experiences of faith at their churches HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
Topics: 1. Team – leadership, volunteer, parish, 2. Registrations – forms, information, waivers 3. Advertising – early, different forms 4. Plans – overall, themes, week, daily, equipment, space, handouts HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
1. The Team • Core leadership: passion, availability, complementary skills • Volunteers: youth, adults, recruiting, training, specific roles • Parish: furniture, cleaning staff, office staff HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
2. Registrations • Forms: specific information – allergies, photo waivers • Multiple platforms: accessibility, convenience, sign-ups • Collate information: spreadsheet, age groups, family groupings, t-shirt sizes HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
3. Advertising • Early! Repeated! Specific! families book summer camps early • In the church: bulletin, announcements, website, personal invitation • Outside the church: parish schools, social media, invitation cards HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
4. Planning • Themes: overall, time of year, local resources • Weekly plan: schedule, balance, • Daily plan: timing, flow, movement, supplies, equipment, guests HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
…and more things • Family! time together, shared activities, invite the parents • Fun! ice-breakers, variety, open-ended, safe to enjoy • Faith! prayers, preparation for Mass, bible stories • Follow-up! HOLY FAMILY PARISH - Grand Cam amp!
The Smartie Box Take turns choosing a smartie from your box, then answer the question according to colour of the smartie. Then eat the smartie! Remember one thing about your grandparent/grandchild that you learned that you can share in the circle. yellow - an activity you really like to do alone orange - an activity you really like to do with others pink - what you like about learning red - favourite holiday/time of year green - favourite place to go blue - what you like to say to God purple - what Jesus teaches you brown - what you wish you could do for someone else
Holy Family Grand Camp - Day 2 words fam amily ily farm WindR ndReach each Far arm God’s animals hayrid ride flowers crea eation tion gentleness so kindness ndness hor orses ses soil il cows pigs gs chicken ckens shee eep babies Plant bunnies lamb mbs nt Holy Family Grand Camp - Day 5 words Mary Mass discipl disc iples es sisters ers children memories parents ents parables Je Jesus us passo sover ver celebrat lebrate faith fa th love ve sacrifices pray ayer er light ht relation ionshi hips ps thanks broth ther ers sho how th
Writing intercessory prayers for Mass is about asking God to hear our requests, and usually follows a list of prayers for certain things: We pray for our church leaders ___________________________ _____________________________________________________ We pray for our world leaders ____________________________ _____________________________________________________ We pray for our families _________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ We pray for a particular world event/circumstance ____________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ We pray for those who are sick / suffering ___________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ We pray for those who have died __________________________ _____________________________________________________ We pray for ___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Now choose and circle one of your intentions to share at Mass. Hand your whole sheet in.
Saint Ann, I am an anxious grandparent who worries and prays for my grandchildren. They are confronted with a life full of obstacles, dangers and difficult issues. They are not always aware of them. I beg you to take them under your maternal protection, because you took such good care of your Grandson, Jesus. Together with your husband, Saint Joachim, you taught your daughter, Mary, to observe the Commandments and to love God and neighbor. Now I entrust my grandchildren to you. How delighted you were when your Grandson Jesus was born! Out of that same love for Him, please extend your protection to my grandchildren. Some are still young while others have grown up and are facing life’s responsibilities. Bless them all. Help them discover the importance of prayer, the beauty of Christian values and love of the Lord! Keep them from danger, harm, temptations, and all obstacles to their true happiness! Good Saint Ann, please keep all grandparents and grandchildren in your loving, motherly care. Amen We’d like to say thank - you to… • our children and their spouses for providing the joy of the grandchildren who have blessed our home. • our parents who taught us that the role of a parent is to leave a good legacy while a grandparent leaves good memories. • our grandchildren for the way they make our hearts smile
What can parishes do to assist grandparents? 1 2 3 Promote their Develop their Equip them with the spiritual and faith forming knowledge & skills religious skills for grandparenting growth today - Lifelong Faith Associates, Reimagine Faith Formation Workshop 2 Handout
Ideas & Resources for Parishes • Pray for grandparents (e.g. Grandparents Day in Sept or the Feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne on July 26) – USCCB Blessing of Grandparents – Grandparents’ Prayer • Host a grandparent gathering (e.g. speaker event, retreat) • Host grandparent-grandchild gatherings that include faith, fun and family time – GrandCamp (usually week long, day camps) – Seasonal gatherings (e.g. Lent/Easter, Advent/Christmas)
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