Pope Francis established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time on Sunday 25 July 2021. In 2024, the celebration is this this Sunday, 28 July – the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen… Continue reading
Gracefully is written by Sister Kate Holmstrom, a Holy Child Sister, resident at a care home in Harrogate, who has just turned 85 years old. Sister Kate has contributed a number of pieces to Growing Old Grace-fully. Sister Kate introduces Gracefully as follows: “Many sights, gestures or even sounds may… Continue reading
The third of Growing Old Grace-fully‘s 2024 online sessions is Learning From Each Other: Sharing Experience from Parishes on Thursday 18th July, 7:00-8:00pm. This session is about hearing examples of great work already happening, with contributions from: * Maureen Connolly from Immaculate Heart Parish, Huddersfield * Breda Theakston from the Elizabeth Prout Centre, talking about… Continue reading
This is the reflection, written by Pippa Bonner, from the Growing Old Grace-fully online session Reconciling With Our Past on Wednesday 12th June 2024, which led by Pippa Bonner and Cath Mahoney. Pippa Bonner is a parishioner at St Aelred’s, Harrogate, a widow, mother and grandmother, with a background in social… Continue reading
Growing Old Grace-fully is hosting six online sessions in 2024. The second is Reconciling With Our Past is on Wednesday 12th June, 2:30-3:30pm led by Pippa Bonner and Cath Mahoney. Cath Mahoney is parishioner of Mother of Unfailing Help, mother and grandmother, with a background in community development, a former Growing… Continue reading
This is a one page summary, produced by Paula Shanks, of the Growing Old Grace-fully online session Spirituality in Later Life: Praying Beyond Words, which was on Tuesday 14th May, 7:00-8:00pm with Fr Donal Lucey and Paula Shanks. Paula has a background in teaching and is trained in Ignatian spiritual accompaniment.… Continue reading
Growing Old Grace-fully is hosting six online sessions in 2024. The first is Spirituality in Later Life: Praying Beyond Words, on Tuesday 14th May, 7:00-8:00pm with Fr Donal Lucey and Paula Shanks. The session, with reflections and music, is being led by Father Donal Lucey and Paula Shanks. Fr. Donal is… Continue reading
Resurrection Light Risen Christ, when darkness overwhelms usmay your dawn beckon. When fear paralyses us may your touch release us. When grief torments us may your peace enfold us. When memories haunt us may your presence heal us. When justice fails us may your anger ignite us. When apathy stagnates us may your challenge renew… Continue reading
Introduction It has been a long-standing tradition that especially during Lent, we are encouraged to meditate on and pray the Stations of the Cross. Indeed Stations of the Cross are a prominent feature of any Catholic Church globally. The Passion and Death of Our Lord needs to be seen equal… Continue reading
These beautiful modern Stations of the Cross were sculpted by Ken Thompson for St. Mel’s Cathedral in Longford, County Longford in Ireland, to replace the wooden ones burned in a fire at Christmas 2009. The Cathedral was badly damaged but the beautiful new sculptures are part of the resurrected Cathedral.… Continue reading
