HONG KONG (SE): “God is with you. The Church is with you. We love you, care for you. Before difficulties and struggles, you are not alone,” Father Jojo Peter Ancheril told the elderly who gathered to attend a Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, Tai O, on July 25, marking the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
The chapel organised a whole day programme under the theme of “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20), which is the title of Pope Francis’ message for the day.
Speaking to the Sunday Examiner, the Claretian priest said many of the nearly 50 elderly people who took part in the Mass were non-believers, so he kept his homily simple and direct. He believes they were attracted by the the day’s programme as the chapel has developed a good relationship with the villagers through some of its usual activities such as handing out food packages and planting trees.
Father Ancheril said that while talking to the senior citizens before the Mass, he felt they were quite lonely as many expressed the wish that their children would spend more time with them, besides giving them money to spend.
A week before the day, the parish invited people to write down messages to their grandparents and the elderly in a book adorned with forget-me-not flowers. The book was placed on the side of the altar during the Mass.
According to Father Ancheril, the chapel is inviting more people to write articles about their grandparents and plans to print a booklet to celebrate the day next year.
The afternoon programme, including singing, dancing and the distribution of gifts, attracted around 100 grandparents, some of them brought their grandchildren with them.
Father Ancheril believes the programme has helped the chapel to develop a closer relationship with the elderly in Tai O, as many of them dropped by the chapel to look at its exhibits or to chat with one another a few days later and some even brought along some food for the priest.
“I receive them with joy and gratitude as they are symbols of friendship,” he said.
On the same day, St. Edward’s parish, Lam Tin, hosted a talk for grandparents and invited Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing to speak about the faith of St. Joseph.
The event began with an action song glorifying Jesus along with the prayer for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, led by assistant parish priest Father Heribertus Hadiarto.
Bishop Ha highlighted St. Joseph’s faith in acting on God’s will after receiving instructions in a dream to marry the pregnant Mary, to flee to Egypt and to return to Israel when it was safe.
Bishop Ha said that it is important to have dreams and achieve them with faith in Christ. He believes young people tend to have many dreams which may remain unfulfilled as they become parents and get busy with many duties as well as nurturing of the faith of their children. He told those present that as grandparents, many of their responsibilities are completed and it is time for to fulfill their own dreams with prayers and faith.
He remarked that St. Joseph was calm in the face of the warnings of the impending danger in his dreams and finally finished his mission in God’s salvation plan. He encouraged people to regard every trial, even if it is a serious sickness, as a blessing in disguise as it can give them a chance to learn the importance of relying on God and family for support.
At the end of the talk, Bishop Ha led people in reciting the prayer for the Year of St. Joseph. Afterwards, the bishop, together with Father Hadiarto, blessed the elderly and presented them with gifts.
