The Padua community gathered as one to celebrate Freshmen Grandparents Day on Friday, November 8.
The students and grandparents first celebrated Mass in the Padua gym, and then, enjoyed refreshments in the cafeteria and library. Each family had the opportunity to see their students’ lockers, classrooms and interact with their favorite teachers. Including the 217 first-year students, more than 550 attended the event.
Friar JohnPaul Cafiero, OFM and Deacon Matt Harley presided over the liturgy. During his homily, Cafiero reminded grandparents of their roles as influencers in the lives of their grandchildren.
“The most truly important influencers in our lives are not on TikTok or Instagram or YouTube or the television,” Cafiero said. “They are the ones that are found in our family, especially our parents and grandparents. They influence us more than anything outside of our homes today as we celebrate you as grandparents.
“My sisters and brothers, we know how critical it is that we celebrate our grandparents today, those who are with us and those who celebrate life in the Kingdom of God. We not only remember the holy influence of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, but we must realize that each one of us, no matter how old we are, are called to influence one another. We’re called to influence our families, and especially our country and our world.”
To further his message of being a positive influence in the lives of others, Cafiero used scripture passages about the Miracle of the Wedding at Cana, as well as Joseph leading his family into Egypt to protect his family from a decree from King Herod.
“We get influenced by one another,” Cafiero said. “They influence Jesus’s mind, but Jesus also influenced them. Jesus grew in wisdom and in knowledge. We are told that He went in this temple and He was influencing those older men, those teachers of the law. Jesus was 12, and they listened to Him and to His message. While Mary and Joseph were influences in Jesus’s life, He also was an influencer on them.
“In our gospel, Jesus influenced all those who heard His message to change their lives. How many left their livelihood, their daily living and followed Jesus because He influenced them because of His message? His influence continues down to this very day. We have to ask ourselves, ‘Do we allow our lives to be influenced by the Lord, by Jesus, who we receive through bread and wine, the presence of our living God? Do we allow what we have received to influence and change our lives?’”
Following Mass, Padua President Dave Stec ‘86 spoke to the students and their grandparents about memories of the past with loved ones and how they bring joy long after having taken place.
Then, Stec encouraged the grandparents to continue being the support systems their families need to succeed.
“You are the pillars of our families,” Stec said. “Your presence brings us warmth and joy and the sense of belonging. You’ve been through the ups and downs of life, and you share the wealth of knowledge to make us better.
“We have just a wonderful, wonderful group of students. Your tales of grit, sacrifice and trying inspires us to face challenges head on and never give up. Your unwavering support, your unconditional love, have given us confidence to pursue our dreams, and to go even farther. Your wisdom and your advice are a treasure, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from you, and to carry forward the traditions and values that you have instilled in us.
“As grandparents, you are the embodiment of love. Your hugs provide us comfort and reassurance. Your smiles light up our lives, and your laughter is our joy. You have taught us the importance of cherishing family and the values that continue to help us be quality people, people of value and morals. Though some of our grandparents are only able to be with us from Heaven above, we feel and know your presence in our hearts, and their continued love and care for us echoes in your memories often. As grandparents, you are our role models teaching us the virtues of patience and kindness and compassion.”
