• Celebrating faith and family connections

    On July 24, the Feasts of Saints Joachim and Anne - parents to the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents to our Lord - the Church celebrates the second World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. This year we recognize some of the grandparents in our diocese who seek to live out their faith in their parishes, communities - and, most importantly, with their family.

    Explore this page and read about faith and family connections within the Diocese of Arlington.

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Peggy and Steve Gabriel and family

Peggy and Steve Gabriel lean on their Catholic faith to help get through the difficulties of having a large family, giving them the perspective and insight to help their grandchildren through all their struggles. They strive to live their faith cheerfully as an example for their grandchildren and show actively how to live the faith through prayer and sacraments. To all young people, they wish to say: “Strive to be men and women of prayer. Your friendship with Jesus will make all the difference in your life.”

The Gabriels are parishioners at Saint James in Falls Church, where they teach a Baptism preparation class for parents. Steve has authored a book on grandparenting based on their experience with 35 grandchildren. They get a lot of joy from seeing their grandchildren become good friends.

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Javier and Norma Aguilera and family

On grandparenting, Javier and Norma Aguilera say “it is like seeing your own kids grow up again.” They pass on their faith to their grandsons, Jaiden and Jordan, by teaching them how to pray and by exemplifying patience and understanding. To all young people, they pass on this wisdom: “Be humble and always keep our Lord Jesus as the center of your life. Treat others with respect and don’t be afraid to show that Jesus is the true love.”

The Aguileras are parishioners at All Saints Parish in Manassas. They are both Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and are involved in El Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad (the Cursillo movement). They love being grandparents.

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Bob and Marybeth Neiman and family

Bob and Marybeth Neiman believe it is a great blessing to have adult children bringing up their own children in a solid Christian faith. They value prayer and say that their two-year-old grandson is the first to put his hands together before prayer at mealtime and before going to sleep. They wish to pass along: “Having patience and kindness is a key factor” in being loving grandparents and dealing with others.

The Neimans are members of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Potomac Falls. Bob is the Grand Knight this year for the Knights of Columbus Council and an Usher. Mary Beth supports Knights of Columbus events and is currently a member of the Seven Sisters Apostolate. Their two grandchildren, Benjamin and Madeleine, bring great pride and joy to their lives.

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Elaine and Patrick Malvaso and family

Being grandparents is a source of great joy for Patrick and Elaine Malvaso, as they live only a few blocks from their grandchildren and get to be involved in their daily routine. “We are thrilled that they enjoy our love, the food we make for them, and the opportunity we have to teach them how to just be themselves,” they say. To all young people, they pass on this wisdom: “Never get upset by the people who bother or are mean to you—just say a quick prayer and feel sorry for them.”

The Malvasos are parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary and have been deeply involved with different ministries for over 30 years. They feel extremely blessed to be able to share their Catholic faith with their family by leading an example of faithful service.

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Deborah and Glenn Cooper and family

To all young people, the Coopers would like to say: “Always talk to Jesus every day, treat Him as your best friend. Ask him for His opinion and for His guidance throughout your day. And ask Jesus to help some little boy or girl who are not as fortunate as you are today.” With four grandchildren, they love getting involved with their grandchildren’s faith education, like having conversations about what they learned in religion class and getting to see them at daily Mass when they go with their school. They love to watch their grandchildren play together and learn new things and share what they learn.

The Coopers are parishioners at the Basilica of St. Mary, where they are active in their faith life and participate in several organizations and clubs.

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Dan and Diane Kilkeary and family

Dan and Diane Kilkeary’s 15 grandchildren bring them great joy, through their liveliness and delight in life. What helps them to be joy-filled grandparents is the realization that everything is in God’s hands. One way they share their faith with their grandchildren is by attending Mass together often and talking about the readings. To all young people, they say: “Remember God is always with you. Say your prayers; be kind; always communicate with others lovingly.”

The Kilkearys are active parishioners at Christ the Redeemer in Sterling. They are involved in numerous parish ministries including Knights of Columbus, Rosary Group, and the Life is Sacred Committee.

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Pope Francis on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

"The #elderly should be cared for like a treasure of humanity: they are our wisdom, our memory. It is crucial that grandchildren remain close to their grandparents, who are like roots from which they draw the sap of human and spiritual values." - Pope Francis, February 15 on Twitter

From Catholic News Service via the Arlington Catholic Herald: "This year’s theme is also an invitation to reconsider and value grandparents and the elderly who are too often kept on the margins of families, civil and ecclesial communities. Their experience of life and faith can contribute, in fact, to building societies that are aware of their roots and capable of dreaming of a future based on greater solidarity.”

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