By Fr. Justin Fulton
“They remind us that old age is a gift, and that grandparents are the ring linking generations, to transmit to young people the experience of life and faith. Grandparents, so many times, are forgotten, and we forget this richness of safeguarding and transmitting roots.”
- Pope Francis
Last week I had an opportunity to pray morning Mass with some of the diocese’s retired priests at the Bonacum House. It was a joy to see some of the “old-timers” renewed in their vigor by participating in the greatest gift of all: receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Praying that simple, 18-minute morning Mass with them has stuck out in my heart and memory these past few days.
The fellas at Bonacum are all retired. Many are in their upper 70s, 80s, and even 90s. It struck me as we prayed Mass what all of their eyes have seen: World War II. Korea and Vietnam. The War on Terror. The development of television, radio, and mass communications. More wars. Droughts. Floods. Putting a man on the moon. Civil unrest. Peace.
And also what really struck me was thinking about the amount of Baptisms performed, weddings, reconciliations heard, funerals, Masses prayed, anointings, souls saved, and Holy Communion distributed collectively between those men over all of their years.
There is a wealth of wisdom, knowledge, experience, and life in the halls of the Bonacum House, along with all of our religious sisters in the Diocese as well. Think of all of the prayers offered, students taught, and life experiences those strong women have lived through! We should pray for those guys and ladies and if we have a chance, maybe write them a letter too. The pandemic has been tough on them as well.
Did you see that Pope Francis instituted a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly? It will be held the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of the grandparents of Jesus, Saints Joachim and Anne. What a way to celebrate life! Many times Francis has taught us that we should always cherish our elderly. Too often they are neglected and forgotten about. Francis has called on society to cherish the elderly as a source of wisdom and experience and he has lamented a “throwaway culture” that puts them aside because they are no longer productive. Older folks have a large volume of generational wealth that is waiting to be transferred to those who are willing to learn from them.
It is our hope and wish at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska that we all celebrate the precious, immaculate gift of life. Remember our elderly. Celebrate them. Talk with them. Learn from them. Respect them. Pray with them and for them. They are treasures in God’s Kingdom. And let us always remember the words of Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by a life that is just.”
Thank you for the gift of you. Thank you for your prayers and support of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. And thank you for your faith in Jesus Christ. May God bless us always!
