Pope to Elderly: Power and Looks Are Mythicized; You Must Show What Truly Matters

Young people need you, you are essential, so talk to your grandchildren, Francis says

© PHOTO.VA - Osservatore Romano

Today’s world mythicizes power and looks, and thus the elderly have a special mission, Pope Francis says: To give witness to what really matters — the values that remain forever.

The Pope said this Saturday when he addressed some 7,000 elderly, including many grandparents, in Paul VI Hall.

The Holy Father emphasized that the Church looks at elderly people with “affection, gratitude and great esteem.”

“They are an essential part of the Christian community and of society,” he said, adding, “I don’t know if you heard well: The elderly are an essential part of the Christian community and of society!”

The role of the elderly is one of Francis’ favorite themes, particularly on papal visits, and in his address Saturday, he returned to an image he has often used.

The elderly, he said, “represent the roots and memory of a people.”

Experience is a “precious treasure,” he continued, “indispensable to look to the future with hope and responsibility.”

Better future

He said the witness of the elderly helps youth to look to the future with hope: “The elderly, in fact, witness that, even in the most difficult trials, one must never lose faith in God and in a better future.”

The Holy Father praised the role that elderly people carry out in parishes, and also in families, noting particularly how in countries that have suffered religious persecution, it is often the grandparents who transmit the faith.

“In a world such as the present, in which often strength and appearance are mythicized, you have the mission to witness the values that truly count and that remain for ever, because they are inscribed in the heart of every human being and guaranteed by the Word of God. Precisely as persons of the so-called third age, you, or better, we — because I am also part of it — are called to work for the development of the culture of life, witnessing that every stage of existence is a gift of God and has its beauty and importance, even if marked by frailty.”

Caregivers

Pope Francis went on to praise the “persons and structures” dedicated to caring for the elderly day by day.

Institutes that house the elderly are “called to be places of humanity and loving care, where the weakest individuals are not forgotten or neglected, but visited, remembered and protected as older brothers and sisters,” he said, adding that this is a way to show gratitude to those who “have given so much to the community.”

He said that protecting the dignity of the elderly means opposing the throwaway culture, since it marginalizes the elderly as non-producers.

“This idea of being disposable is awful,” he said, as he recounted a story told him by his grandmother. The story is about a grandpa who lived with his son and his family but was moved to the kitchen for meals since he was unable to eat without making a mess.

The father learned his lesson about ostracizing the grandfather when one day his young son was playing pretend, building a table which the boy explained would one day be for his father to eat, separate from the family.

“Children are naturally very attached to their grandparents and they understand things that only grandparents can explain with their life, with their attitude,” the Pope said. “The throwaway culture says: ‘You are old, get out.’ … You are old, yes, but you have so many things to say to us, to tell us, of history, of culture, of life, of values …”

Society needs your smile

The Pope also encouraged the elderly to seek out the younger generations.

Talk with your grandchildren, he encouraged them, even if they do things differently, listen to different music, etc.

“They are in need of the elderly, of this continuous dialogue; give them wisdom too,” he said, recalling how it was the elderly, the “wisdom of the people,” who received Jesus in the Temple.

“Read this [story of Simeon and Anna] in Luke’s Gospel, it’s very beautiful,” he invited.

He concluded: “Dear grandfathers and grandmothers, thank you for the example you give of love, of dedication and of wisdom. Continue to witness these values with courage! May society not lack your smile and the beautiful luminosity of your eyes: may society be able to see them! I accompany you with my prayer, and you too, do not forget to pray for me. And now I invoke the Lord’s blessing upon you and your intentions and plans for good.

“Now we pray to Jesus’ grandmother, Saint Anne; we pray to Saint Anne who is Jesus’ grandmother, and we do so in silence for a moment. Each one ask Saint Anne to teach us to be good and wise grandparents.”

—

On ZENIT’s Web page:

Full text: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-address-to-senior-citizens-caregivers/

 

‘We Need Profound Conversion and Urgent Revival of Faith,’ Says Pope

In this world, we need profound conversion and an urgent revival of faith in Christ.

Pope Francis stressed this when addressing members of the General Assembly of the Pallottine Fathers this morning in the Vatican.

Francis began his discourse praising their founder, St. Vincent Pallotti’s, great charism, noting, “he has become an enlightening and inspiring beacon in the Church,” especially how it “calls upon the faithful to actively engage in Gospel witness.”

The Holy Father underscored how he wished to remember their founder in a special way in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, for the saint recognized that Jesus is “the Apostle of the Father, Who is rich in and full of mercy.”

“This mystery of God’s fatherhood, which opens to every man, through the work of the Son, His heart full of love and compassion, acquires special significance in our times,” Francis said.

Before daily scenes of violence and brutality, Francis told the priests, “we need to remind ourselves of that Father, whose heart thinks of all and desires the salvation of every man.”

The Pontiff urged that each member of their Pallottine Family to keep Christ and the faithful following them always as its core.

“Contemplating the life of Jesus and looking at our life as pilgrims in this world with so many challenges, we feel the need of a profound conversion and the urgency of reviving faith in Him,” Francis stressed.

“Only then,” he continued, “can we serve our neighbor in charity! Every day we are called to renew our trust in Christ and His life and get inspired to fulfill our mission.”

The Holy Father encouraged them to continue their path with joy and hope, committing theirselves  completely in charity, so their founder’s charism continues ” to bear abundant fruit, also in our time.”

“The Church,” Francis stressed, “is called to operate with renewed vigor to reawaken faith and rekindle charity, especially among the most vulnerable population, poor spiritually and materially.”

Pope Francis concluded, entrusting all of the fathers to Mary’s protection and her model of perfect apostolic zeal and charity, and also imparted on them, his apostolic blessing.

  Dominican Friars in a farewell assembly with Brother Stephen OP

after the Morning Mass (Wednesday 17th August)

 Dominican Friars in a farewell assembly with Brother Stephen OP

after the Morning Mass (Wednesday 17th August)

Dr. Greg Adeyemi, Bro. Stephen Lucas, Mr. Chris Shobande 

at a special Send Forth Lunch by Dr. Greg. during the week.

Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas OP and some good friends of the Young Christian Workers

Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas OP and Friends in a special lunch during the week

Send Forth: Senator Ben Murray-Bruce & Family Members celebrate with 

Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP at the weekend

Send Forth: Senator Ben Murray-Bruce & Family Members celebrate with 

Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP at the weekend. Also in attendance is the 

Pastor and a Dominican Friar from St. Dominic's Parish.

Send Forth Celebration of Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP held on 13th August, 2016.

Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP been ushered in for the occasion in company of friends, members of the Organising Committee, Dominican Friar and a Sister from the Dominican Schools, Mafoluku founded by Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP.

Mr. Chris Mbanewe (L), Chairperson Organizing Send Forth Team, Dame Felicia Okoli (R); President Catholic Women Organization, Mrs. Becky E. (far-R) welcome and celebrate with Brother Stephen Lucas, OP. 

Cutting of the Cake as wife of the Chairman of the Day 

Mrs. Halim guides friends of Brother Stephen, OP.

Brother Stephen Lucas, OP at a special Press Conference held in St. Dominic's Parish Yaba. Also present were the Provincial, Pastor, Dame Felicia Okoli (Chairperson, L. O. C), Mrs. Helen Hunt, Mrs. Esther Ochonogor, Mr. Gaston Santos, Mr. Okechukwu Aniche, Mr. Dotun Labinjo, Princess Funmi Oyalana, Mr. Emmanuel Ozoezi, Mr. Raphael Ezike, Mr. Emmanuel Adekeye, the Young Christian Workers and other prominent delegates including Press Men and Women from Silverbird TV, Super Screen TV, NTA, Lumen Christi, Thisday, Guardian, The Nation, Catholic Herald, etc.

Brother Stephen explained how he was assigned and arrived in Nigeria 57 years ago in obedience and started his missionary work and promoting vocations. Through these years, he founded and developed numerous projects such as the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Jude Apostolate, Society for Vocations Support (SVS), the Dominican Clinics in Makoko, Yaba and Mafoluku, St. Andre Du-Lac Church Makoko for the Egun Community, Dominican Schools in Mafoluku, Veritas Studios, Our Lady of Tarkwa-Bay and so on.

He also advised the Government and the people of Nigeria to be more tolerance and should respect their cultural diversity for peace and progress in the country. According to him, every ethnic group in Nigeria no matter how small is a blessing and that whole unit (Nigeria) must be kept together for progress. He noted that many years ago when he arrived Nigeria, there was no attention to oil in the country and the economy was agro driven. Then, one could see all the beautiful produce from different regions of the country and there was peace. He advised that the country must return to agriculture to achieve her full potential for economic growth as against solely depending on oil.

The Pastor also narrated his vocation journey and how today he is a Priest through the help of Brother Stephen Lucas, OP who now serves as his Spiritual Father. The Provincial also told how he met Brother Stephen as a very young boy in the Parish. Other delegates gave superlative experiences of the humility, sincerity, goodness and care of Brother Stephen Lucas, OP.

Check up publications this week in the news and print media for information on the conference. Our Team is also working on some video podcast for view sometime. 

An Obedient Servant

Reverend Brother Stephen Donald Lucas, OP, was born on the 6th of July, 1932, in Racine, Wisconsin, United States of America. He is fondly called ‘Brother Steve’ by most Dominican Fathers, Brothers and Parishioners alike. His parents were Marcella Kohlman Lucas and Walter Lucas and he has a sister, Virginia-Mary (now Mrs. Norman Chester), who is four years younger than him.

He made his solemn vows on July 29, 1959. When his Provincial called him to inform him that he had been transferred to Yaba, in Africa, he was momentarily stunned, but being the obedient servant that he is, he obeyed and came down to Africa and has stayed right here at St. Dominic’s, for Fifty-Seven years. A lot of Parishioners are distressed at the thought of not seeing Brother Steve again, as he is considered an African in Oyibo skin.

A friend, who has contributed greatly to the Church; St. Dominic (he has  a strong interest in medicine), Society for Vocation Support, St. Jude Apostolate, just to mention a few. We are indeed very grateful to God, for the simplicity, sincerity and humility clearly evident in the life of our Brother. As we say goodbye to a true servant of God and send him forth on Saturday, August 13th, we urge all and sundry to continue to pray for him. As we can be sure, he is praying for us.

Rev. Fr. Felix Onemheghie, OP

Pastor, St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba.

Dear Friends,

Kindly be informed that our Director and Founder of the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus in St. Dominic's Catholic Church, Yaba and St. Jude Apostolate in the Province of St. Joseph the Worker (Nigeria & Ghana) will be returning to the U.S.A. for good.

Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP came on Mission to Nigeria Fifty-Seven (57) years ago. He has worked tirelessly and fruitfully in Nigeria since then. He has just celebrated his Eighty-Fourth (84) Birthday on 6th July.

Brother was sent by St. Albert the Great Province, Chicago U.S.A. to Nigeria. Presently, he is on transfer back to his home Province, St. Albert the Great in Chicago to begin his new assignment. We thank him immensely for his meritorious and selfless service to God and Humanity in the Province of St. Joseph the Worker, Nigeria and Ghana.

We pray that our Good Lord will continue to care, guide and bless him...Amen. Please, remember him in your prayers.

BROTHER STEPHEN LUCAS, OP FAREWELL MESSAGE DELIVERED ON 26TH JULY, 2016 AT THE JULY CLOSING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE THADDEUS IN HONOUR OF 
STs. JOACHIM AND ANNE.

Dear Friends of St. Jude,

Our July Novena of Masses honouring St. Jude ends today. We were blessed with the homilies of Father Samuel Onyiba, OP. thank you for sharing this novena with us. Father Samuel was ordained two years ago today, 26th July 2014 on the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin. Father Samuel, today we all wish you a Happy Anniversary of ordination.

Speaking of sharing, I would like to share something about my own life with you. While I was on home leave in Chicago, just a few months ago, our Dominican Provincial in Chicago and I had coffee together after one of our morning Mass. He told me then that he would like me to return to the States and work with our Brothers there. My being resigned to Chicago was a topic on the table for a long time, so I was not too surprised.

Obedience in the religious life is one of our greatest joys. In fact, if I was not obedient 57 years ago when I was assigned to Nigeria I would have never had the opportunity to know you and also I would have never “founded” the Shrine of St. Jude and the St. Jude Apostolate in our parish of St. Dominic’s. Therefore, I have accepted with joy my new assignment, but somehow, there is sorrow too because I will miss you all. Let’s pray for each other as I begin my new assignment. We will pass out a card with my name on it, please put it in your prayer book, and when you see it, say a Hail Mary for me.

Please remember our candles at the Shrine. Presently we have over 120 white candles burning. You are welcome to join our clients and benefactors in lighting a candle for your intentions, a plaque displaying your name or the name of your loved one or special intention will be mounted below your candle. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle”. Visit the Shrine before you leave the church this morning / afternoon / evening and collect your application form for a memorable candle, to burn for a whole year. Our St. Jude Staff are waiting for you at the Shrine right now ready to answer any question you have for them. REMEMBER, As long as a candle burns in your name, it represents you in prayer.

Father Samuel will bless us with the first class relic of St. Jude at the final blessing of this Mass.

Once again Father Samuel, we wish you a Happy, Holy anniversary of your ordination.

The Boxes in the front of the Church will accept your offering for supporting, and spreading devotion to St. Jude, and our endless love and support for the poor. If the choir would assist us with a song the collection will begin.

May the Giver of all good things bless and keep you now and always … Amen



Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, OP
Director