How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society! – Pope Francis
Grandparents are vital to the New Evangelization! Grandparents desire to pass on what is most important to their grandchildren—their faith in Jesus Christ. The Archdiocese of Dubuque is committed to helping parishes minister to grandparents to help them leave a legacy of faith, whether their grandchildren live next door, across the country, or in their own homes.
For recommended resources for Catholic Grandparenting, click here.
Many of these resources could be used for parish grandparent small groups or prayer groups.
For the Archdiocese "Grandparenting in the Domestic Church" Pinterest board, click here.
For a prayer card with a prayer for your grandchildren, click here.
For the Grandparent Ministry pamphlet, click here.
For the Grandparent Ministry Parish Manual, click here.
For a blessing of grandparents from the USCCB, click here.
For information about the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, click here.
Memorial of Sts. Anne and Joachim
July 26th is the Memorial of St. Anne and St. Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus. Grandparents make up a significant segment of the parishioners in our parishes. They provide tremendous support to today’s families and are a valuable part of parish life. The weekend before or after this memorial is an opportune time to recognize and affirm their important role in passing on the faith with a special blessing and by including prayers for grandparents in the General Intercessions and the parish bulletin or other communications. Click here for options for blessings of grandparents, an intercession, as well as prayers for grandparents that could be included in bulletins or other communications. The social media tiles below could also be used to recognize the important role of grandparents.
St. Monica Book Club Study
This book study, created by Teri Rosendahl, is based on the book The Saint Monica Club: How to Wait, Hope, and Pray for Your Fallen-Away Loved Ones by an author whose pen name is "Maggie Green". Like many Catholics today, St. Monica wrestled daily with the pain of having a loved one fall away from the faith. After nearly two decades of prayer and tears, her son, St. Augustine, joined his mother in holiness. St. Monica's sacrifices, prayers, and pain finally won for both of them the crown of sanctity. "Maggie Green" is a Catholic wife and mother who is hungering for some of her own adult children to return to the Catholic faith. Through the pages of this book, and the study guide which can be downloaded below, discover how, with the souls of our loved ones at stake, it is worth the effort...and worth the wait.
Book Club Study Guide (full size)
Book Club Study Guide (for printing in booklet format)
Grandparenting Pray and Play
The following resources were developed for the Grandparenting Pray and Play event that could be replicated at parishes or utilized between grandparents and grandchildren to foster a deeper relationship:
Social Media Tiles
These may be shared to draw attention to the importance of grandparents.
Grandparenting Conference Talk Video
The following is a video of a talk given by Mary Pedersen during the Grandparenting: Leaving a Legacy of Faith conference on August 25, 2018.