Pope Francis has designated this Sunday as World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. We honor the sacrifices and the accomplishments of our senior citizens. My grandparents’ role in my life has been tremendous. I was fortunate enough that both of my grandmothers were at my ordination and first Mass. They had been an intimate part of my life growing up and continued to be so until they died. 
    
Elders in other times were honored in special ways. Our culture, so focused on being productive, wants to shuffle them off when they can no longer do what they used to do. Many want to euthanize them, because they see them as a drain on our economy and on our time. 
    
We must honor the elderly, especially grandparents, and hold them up as examples of faith, hope and love.