Catholic News and Events

Catholic Charities in Trenton needs your help as we support their efforts at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) to provide aid during the Afghan Refugees Humanitarian Crisis. As they implement a wellness activity plan to provide respite, resilience, and recreation for Afghan guests at JB MDL, volunteers are needed.  You can help with plan implementation tasks such as administration, picking up supplies, setting up rooms, and organizing and supervising activities for our Afghan guests.  If you are interested in volunteering to assist with wellness activities for children and their families or know an attorney who is interested in providing pro bono legal assistance, go to www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org. 

The Holy Father calls on all of us to reverence the lives of our grandparents and the elderly, both living and deceased, who have given us the light of faith and have loved us into being who we are today.

If your grandparents are alive, reach out and show them how much you love and appreciate them. If they are deceased, retell their memory around a family meal. Consider having a Mass said in their memory, lighting a candle in Church, visiting the cemetery, or plant a tree in their memory (see article below).

Perhaps you have an elderly family member or neighbor who lives alone. Reach out to him with a hello, or invite him to be part of your family meal. See the recommendation of the Catholic Grandparents Association in today’s bulletin.

Finally, we have quite a few elderly parishioners here at Blessed Sacrament. Many are still very active in parish ministry. Many of them have given so much to make our parish what it is today. We reverence you, and present to you our gratitude. We will have a blessing of Grandparents and the Elderly at all Masses on the weekend of July 24-25.

Michael Burns Director of Adult Faith Formation , Music, and Liturgy

As part of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Catholic Grandparents Association is inviting families and parishes to ‘Plant a Tree in their Memory’ on Sunday, July 25. By planting this tree, families, and parishes have a chance to remember all those Grandparents and Elders, including elderly priests and religious, who have passed away after a lifetime of dedication, love, and service to their families and parishes. The tree planting could be a small private and prayerful event in the garden of a family home, or it could be something that takes place in the grounds of the local parish church. The planting ceremony could take place after Mass for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. A well-known quote reminds us that ‘Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.'  Not only is this a wonderful way for families and parishes to honor Grandparents and Elders, but it is also a wonderful way to give something to future generations.