Diocesan News
This year’s theme chosen by Pope Francis, ‘Blessed are those who have not lost hope’ (cf. Sir 14:2), fits into the context of the Jubilee of Hope and invites us to recognise in the elderly not only recipients of pastoral attention, but witnesses of hope and active protagonists of ecclesial life. Their life and faith experience is a valuable heritage, capable of enriching new generations and strengthening the community fabric.
The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, established in 2021, is becoming a tradition that teaches our communities to increasingly put the elderly at the centre, not in an extraordinary or occasional way, but in a regular and structural way. It is a pedagogy that teaches us to recognize their irreplaceable role as keepers of memory, witnesses of faith and teachers of life.
A Story from Colac
Leading into the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, we had a get together after Friday morning Mass in Colac for a discussion that was both beautiful and confronting. We started with a handful of little tots who described their grandmother as fun, nice and good at cooking. What followed was a reflection from other grandparents and great aunts who now have so much more time to be the “fun, nice and good at cooking” older person in the lives of little ones. How they wished they hadn’t been so busy a generation ago. That’s the reality. Parenting can be break-neck busy. Grandparenting is such a wonder and such a joy, but it still wears you out.
Recently in Colac there is angst about the delivery of home-help in the district. The providers have changed, and so the format has changed. Some are receiving home cleaning monthly rather than fortnightly. That’s prompted much discussion. Monthly visits are a long time in-between for cleaning, but also for company and welfare checks. There will be more spoken about that. A blessing for the people who have to figure those things and fit them into budgets.
Consensus that Fr Kevin Arundell is the grandfather every parish needs to have. Since his first retirement he has been such a gift to our parishes of Colac and Cororooke, especially in helping us with Sunday Masses. At Easter this year Fr Kevin retired properly, and good on him, but now we have fewer Masses in the monthly roster. This has been an upheaval, especially for the Colac 9 o’clockers who lost their Mass. Some travel to the outer churches for 9am. Most come to 11am in Colac. Like people in most parishes, everyone has been a bit upended, but we know we’re fortunate to still have weekly Masses in the district. At Easter we had a cuppa both to grieve the change to community and to thank Fr Kevin for being him, for us. A blessing for the grandparents and for all of the elderly!
Fr Andrew Hayes
The Secretariat from the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life have provided resources for the celebration for the fifth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Included in the kit are pastoral guidelines, liturgical guidelines, a prayer and catecheis on old age.
Jubilee Celebration with the elderly unable to physically make the Pilgrimage
On the occasion of the Jubilee of Hope, we suggest involving parish communities to facilitate the participation of all elderly people – even those who rarely leave home – in Jubilee pilgrimages. For all those for whom it will not be possible to participate physically, based on what is established in the norms for granting the Jubilee Indulgence, we suggest that they carry out a Jubilee celebration in the places where they live.
Prayer for the
Fifth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
July 27, 2025
‘Blessed are those who have not lost hope’ (Sir 14:2)
How beautiful are these words of yours, Lord!
Help us to continue our pilgrimage through time,
animated by the hope that comes from You!
Help us in this divisive world,
to bring the hope of communion.
Help us in this world, wounded by wars,
to bring the hope of peace.
Help us in this world, which is dehumanizing,
to bring the beauty of an ancient smile.
Help us to be, for our grandchildren, for our loved ones
and for everyone we meet,
the memory of your tenderness.
Help us to bring, in a world distracted from You,
the Hope of a new life that only You can give!
For in You, Lord, nothing is lost
For in You, Lord, everything begins again! Amen