Saint Aloysius Church and Mary Mother of Mercy pastorate offer seminar for grandparents

St. Aloysius Church and Mary Mother of Mercy pastorate have joined hands with a world-wide organization, Grandly, in a bold new vision for grandparents to pass on their faith to their grandchildren. A free 5-week diocesan wide grandparent seminar will be offered at St. Aloysius in Sauk City with two different time options. Both Tuesday evenings Oct. 15 -Nov. 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. or Wednesday mornings Oct. 16-Nov. 13 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. will be offered for the seminar. Each class will include a 40-minute video with the recommended option of staying for small group discussion, as well as sharing, bonding and praying with other grandparents. The fee for the $40/person seminar has been generously waived by Grandly with the option for donations at the final class. In his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis reminds all of the importance of grandparents in family life and how their role can be fundamental in transmitting the Catholic faith to future generations. “Very often it is grandparents who ensure that the most important values are passed down to grandchildren and many people can testify that they owe their initiation into the Christian life to their grandparents”, noted the pope. Grandly (www.grandly.org) was started in 2015 to help grandparents fulfill their God-given role to pass on their faith to their grandchildren. The Do It Grandly Seminar brings over 50 years of youth-work expertise together with hundreds of years of experienced grandparenting to craft a bold vision for how grandparents can become effective “youth workers” with their own grandchildren. Their videos will give grandparents vision, hope, ideas and methods, drawing on the principles of youth work and insights shared by other grandparents. There is a great tug-of-war going on as culture threatens to overwhelm your grandchild. As a grandparent, you must never give up. You must be willing to be the anchor and strength in your family. Your strong leadership and faith will be your family’s compass for their journey. What if the most important thing you will ever do in your entire life is still in front of you? Where is God calling you right now? Many grandparents are concerned about the spiritual welfare of their grandchildren. If you are one, you can find inspiring and helpful information by attending the seminar and join other grandparents in Room C in the basement of St. Aloysius Church, 115 Madison St., Sauk City for the seminar. Nick and Kay Ringelstetter and Ginny Wyttenbach will facilitate the event. Although not required, we would appreciate hearing of your interest for refreshments and seating purposes. Please email grandparentsdivinemercy@gmail.com if planning to attend or if any questions. We invite all in the diocese to these inspirational opportunities.