Grandparents are a gift, and every fall, the Padua Franciscan High School community recognizes this in a special way. Grandparents and other special guests came to Padua for the annual Freshmen Grandparents Day Mass and Celebration on Friday, November 6, 2026.
For the first time, grandparents and students began their day by celebrating Mass in the new Zavagno Athletic Center. Then, each visitor and their student family members enjoyed refreshments and toured the school. The students had the opportunity to show their grandparents their lockers, classrooms and interact with their favorite teachers.
Including the 227 first-year students, more than 500 people attended the event.
Padua Chaplain Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM presided over the liturgy and was assisted by Fr. Stephen DeWitt, OFM and Fr. William McIntyre, OFM. During his homily, Cafiero reminded grandparents of the important roles they have in the lives of their grandchildren.
“The Gospel ends with the line, ‘And Jesus went down to Nazareth with them, and He was obedient,’” Cafiero said. “The Son of God, who just amazed the Temple teachers, goes home. He sits at the family table. He learns carpentry from His dad, and He’s formed by ordinary people in ordinary time.”
“I ask the freshmen here, what formed you? Today, sitting next to you are the people who were your first and best teachers, your parents and grandparents. Most of what you believe about love, about faith, about loyalty, you have seen in someone whose hands are older than yours.”
To further his message, Cafiero encouraged the students to be more like Jesus and ask questions of their elders, treat them as the gift they are, and to learn about the importance of faith by putting down modern technology and asking their grandparents:
- What was the hardest thing you’ve ever been through, and what got you through it?
- What did you pray for when you were my age?
- What do you wish someone would’ve told you when you were 14?
Cafiero then thanked the grandparents not only for attending Mass, but for all the prayers for their grandchildren, as well as the sacrifices for the family that no one recognized.
“Your grandparents carry the history and the stories of the family,” Cafiero said. “They know what your parents were like at 14, and this is invaluable (laughs). They know recipes with no measurements. They carry prayers…St. Francis understands that faith gets passed down like that. He didn’t write a long theological book. He lived the Gospels that it was magnetic for people. Your grandparents are handing the faith to you in the same way.”
Following Mass, Padua President Dave Stec ’86 spoke to the students and their grandparents. He reminisced about family influence in his life and explained how memories made with loved ones can bring joy long after the moments have passed.
Then, Stec encouraged the grandparents to continue being the support systems their families need to succeed.
“For grandparents, I have two requests,” Stec said. “First, keep showing up. Keep attending our games, our school events and the celebrations, and when we open the new Wayne F. Miller Center for the Performing Arts, come back to see the concerts, performances and the shows. You will be delighted. Your presence matters more than you could possibly realize.”
“Second, continue to support our mission here at Padua. Be ambassadors for what we are doing, share your pride in the school, encourage others to be part of our community, and continue investing in our mission by forming young people who will make a difference in our world. That is a most worthy cause.”
“We are grateful for the trust you place in us, and we never take that responsibility lightly. I want to leave you with this line…Parents give children their roots. Grandparents often help you understand just how deep those roots really are. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your grandchildren. Thank you for your continued support and the ways you help us understand who we are.”
