​Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 
Dear parish family and friends of St. Julia,

​This Sunday we celebrate the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.  Pope Francis’ chosen theme for this year’s World Day is “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50).
 
This World Day that we are celebrating today can help us to understand that all of us, young and old, grandparents and grandchildren, whether or not we belong to the same family, are “one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call”.  This awareness comforts us and shapes us as a people as we gather around the altar on which the Lord multiplies the bread of life and the Word of our salvation.  The elderly (or the young at heart) − like the young − are important.  Without them the body of the Church lacks something.  That is why it is necessary for them to have their rightful place within each of our communities.  It is crucial that we share in the lives of older people in the same way that the Lord, in giving us his Body and Blood, has made us sharers in his own.

To showcase this theme, the CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life, in tandem with its Office, produced a 30 second video which captures a group of high school students visiting the elderly at a retirement home. The heartwarming interaction of old and young wonderfully represents this year’s World Day theme and inspires us to find concrete and creative ways to draw near to the elderly. 
 
As the themes of “Love of God” and “Love of Neighbour” continue to resonate in the back of our minds, consider calling that grandparent or “young at heart” person in your life, to let them know that they are loved.  Reassure them that we are united together at the celebration of the Mass, and that in a special way they will be prayed for at our Masses this weekend at St. Julia.  And if that someone special has gone before us, remember that they continue to hear our prayers, and that they are praying for us.
 
Click here to read Pope Francis’ Message
 
May God continue to bless each of you and those that you love, and I look forward to you joining me for the celebration of Mass this weekend.

Fr. Greg