What is the Proper Role of Grandparents in their Grandchildren’s Faith? (The Inner Life with Patrick Conley)

If you're a grandparent and your kids haven't baptized your grandkids, it probably breaks your heart. You wonder what you should and shouldn't do.   This episode of The Inner Life is all about our beloved grandparents and how they’re basically the secret weapons of the faith world. Patrick Conley brings in Fr. Dave Heney, and they talk about the nitty-gritty of how grandparents can influence their grandkids’ faith... without overstepping boundaries✝️.   Check out the whole hour here!   We kick things off with Kathy, a grandma who's going through a rough patch. Her son has left the practice the faith for his wife’s Baptist upbringing, and now Kathy barely gets to see the grandkids. Fr. Dave says, “Kathy, you’re not alone in this.” He compares her situation to when Jesus spoke to the rich young man in the Bible; He explained everything perfectly, but the guy just walked away. You know what? Even Jesus had to let him go.    Fr. Dave says Kathy shouldn't try to compete with the Baptist in-laws. Instead, keep those doors open. Stay in contact, be present when you can, and focus on love and relationships first.   Then there’s Janice, another grandma calling in with a tear-jerker. She used to take the train every week (rain, snow, sleet: you name it) to be with her grandkids. Now, as adults, they still remember those moments. They remember the sacraments, Sunday Mass, and the memories; they’re all still fresh for them, and Janice couldn’t be prouder. 😭💕   Fr. Dave jumps in again with some advice: don’t underestimate the power of joy. If your grandkids and even your kids see that your Catholic faith makes you genuinely happy (not just a list of do’s and don’ts), they’ll be curious. They’ll wonder why grandma or grandpa is so full of peace and joy after Mass, and that’s where the transformation happens. Live out your faith with genuine joy.    So, to all the grandparents out there feeling stuck or sidelined: you’re not alone. Keep the faith, stay joyful, and remember you’re planting seeds, even if you don’t see them sprout just yet. 🌱💒     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.