By Katie Vasquez
For Diane Reynolds, spending time with any of her 11 grandchildren is special.
That’s especially when the conversation turns to Jesus. The devoted grandmother wants to nurture their spiritual lives.
“We learn by example, and that’s something I hope to pass on to my grandchildren that they live what they learn,” said Reynolds, a parishioner at Good Shepherd Church in Marine Park, Brooklyn.
Every Tuesday afternoon the pews are filled with prayer as Reynolds and her grandchildren gather to do the rosary together with the grandparents club at Good Shepherd Catholic Academy. It’s a tradition that deepens their connection not just to each other but to their faith.
“Praying the rosary with them gives me a great sense of peace,” said Reynolds.
It helped guide her granddaughter Nora Brown in her own spirituality.
“I learn a lot from her, especially during Mass with the prayers,” Brown told Currents News. “I like the Hail Mary and, I pray a lot to Saint Anthony.”
Pew research shows that 79 % of former catholics left the church before the age of 23, a statistic that motivates Reynolds to be a steady source of faith for her family.
“You have to start them young because they do live what they learn, and even if they stray for a while, they always have that firm foundation to know that Jesus is always here and always ready to forgive,” said Reynolds.
The message is not lost on her grandchildren.
“I’m glad to know that if I need help or I’m struggling, that I have grandma who can help me and I can pray and get things solved,” said Brown.
Reynolds hopes her efforts will inspire other grandparents to take an active role in their grandchildren’s spiritual growth.
“We do want to be role models for our grandchildren. We want to instill good citizenship. And I think part of that is believing in something bigger than yourself,” said Reynolds.
From a pew in Brooklyn, one grandmother’s legacy of faith is taking root, one prayer at a time.