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17th December 2017 – Pope’s Advice to Children: Talk to Grandparents, Elderly, God Meeting Sick Little Ones on His Birthday, Francis Stresses ‘Preserving Children’s Joy’

December 20, 2017

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“Don’t sadden children. When children see that there are problems at home, that the parents quarrel, they suffer. Don’t sadden the children. They must always grow with joy.” The second thing you must do for children to grow well, the Pope said, make them talk with the grandparents: “the two extremes of life, because the grandparents have memory, have roots, and it will be the grandparents that give roots to the children. “Please, do not let them become ‘uprooted’ children, without the memory of a people, without the memory of the faith, without the memory of so many beautiful things that…

A wonderful day at the 6th Catholic Grandparents Pilgrimage.

September 11, 2012

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Here are some pictures from Sunday. We will have a full report shortly….

Year of Faith

August 28, 2012

The Pontifical Council For the Year of Faith has invited the Catholic Grandparents Association to a meeting on 24th September to plan for a gathering of all the Catholic Movements .This gathering will take place in St Peter’s Square on May 18th 2013 Vigil of the Feast of Pentecost.

1st Grandparents pilgrimage in Malta.

July 24, 2012

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On Friday 20th July our president Maire Printer joined a large group of Grandparents from the village of Hal Balzan in Malta for the 1st Grandparents pilgrimage in their country. Stephen and Georgette Gatt, residents of the village were inspired to organise the event when they read about the CGA in the Universe newspaper last year.

IEC Speech 2012

June 16, 2012

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At the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, the Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association, Catherine Wiley, gave the following speech which received a standing ovation. Her speech is reproduced here following hundreds of requests from those in attendance. Witness and testimony of Grandparents and practical experience to families Many of us here today are Grandparents, Great Aunts, Great Uncles. But each and every one of us is also a Grandchild. So all of us have an opportunity just for a little while to think about our own Grandparents, to thank God for them and to recall the particular memories and…

IEC 2012 – Standing Ovation!

June 15, 2012

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Catherine Wiley, Founder of the CGA, received a standing ovation at the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, when 1300 people – some of whom had to listen from outside the venue – acknowledged with their applause the overwhelming need for an organisation such as the Catholic Grandparents Association. Following the success of the speech, enquiries from all four corners of the world were made about starting a Catholic Grandparents Association and holding a Grandparents Pilgrimage. More information about the Congress will follow on the return of Catherine and Maire Printer, President.

Will our Grandchildren be Catholics?

May 9, 2012

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Catherine Wiley, Founder, and Maire Printer, President of the Catholic Grandparents Association are preparing for the Seventh World Meeting of Families to be held in Milan in May. Catherine will address the gathering on the subject “Will our Grandchildren be Catholics?”

On your Marks .. Get Set .. Granny!!

May 4, 2012

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On 6th May 2012 one of the members of the Catholic Grandparents Association will be taking part in the Mini Marathon … Maudie McGing. We were delighted when she said she’d like to take part in order to raise money for the Association … and we could hardly believe it when she admitted to being 70+ ! ! If you would like to sponsor Maudie in her great effort, please send your donation to CGA, Castlebar Street, Westport, Co Mayo Ireland. We will be really grateful for any contribution … and so, indeed, will Maudie!! We wish her well.

Worldwide Grandparents’ Pilgrimages

May 4, 2012

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Preparations are in full swing now for all the Grandparents Pilgrimages taking place world-wide in 2012. 14th June Croatia 12th July Slovakia 14th July Aylesford, UK 22nd July Walsingham, UK …. Tenth Annual Pilgrimage!! 26th July Fatima 26th July Brittany 20th July Malta (NB This is a new date) 19th August Carfin, Scotland 8th September Slovenia 9th September Knock 21st October USA 16th December Liverpool, UK To be Confirmed Germany

CGA warmly welcomed by new Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown

February 27, 2012

Catherine Wiley, native of Castlebar, Founder and Maire Printer, President of the Catholic Grandparents Association were warmly received by the the new Papal Nuncio Archbishop to Ireland when they met with him recently in Dublin and introduced him to the work of the Catholic Grandparents Association.

Vatican Television

February 20, 2012

We have been invited by Vatican Television to take part in an interview for their Weekly “Octava Dies” . This interview would then be broadcast throughout the world. We were honoured that the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization recommended us for this interview.

Catholic Schools Week

February 3, 2012

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Catholic Schools Week in Ireland was launched in St. Mary’s College, Dundalk, Co. Louth on Thursday 26th January with a special liturgy. Some of the students and teachers gave witness of their faith

Congratulations to Fr. Richard

February 3, 2012

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We were absolutely delighted to hear the news that Fr. Richard, Knock Shrine was appointed as new Parish Priest of Knock in succession to the late Msgr. Joseph Quinn.

Granny Anne

December 21, 2011

Jesus’ Grandmother is the Christmas figure that time forgot. If we can bring her back into our communities, she can be a source of strength for the family – especially the grandmothers of today, says Verena Wright. This article was published by Redemptorist Publications in their Your Journey to Christmas 2011 (Dec 2011 edition). All rights are reserved by them.

GRANDPARENTS DAY IN LIVERPOOL

December 13, 2011

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‘GRANDPARENTS DAY IN LIVERPOOL’ will be celebrated by a Grandparents’ Mass to be held on Sunday 18th December at 11 am in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool. The celebrants are The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool Diocese and Rt Rev. Brian M Noble, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Shrewsbury. Refreshements are available afterwards in the Gibberd Room. Grandparents are welcome to bring their children and grandchildren.

Last chance to enter our prize for a 2 night break in Westport

November 29, 2011

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We are delighted to let you know that the winner of our competition for the 2 night B&B and one evening meal in the Castlecourt Hotel for 2 people was Philomena Costello. Congratulations to Philomena! She was delighted as she said she never won anything before! Thank you to all our members who have renewed their membership for 2012.

CGA FOUNDER ADDRESSES EUROPEAN SHRINE DIRECTORS CONFERENCE

October 11, 2011

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The founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association, Catherine Wiley, has addressed the annual conference of the European Shrine Directors in Walsingham. Ms Wiley urged Shrine Directors to host annual Grandparents Pilgrimages. She said that the idea for the Pilgrimages was inspired by Our Lady herself. “The very idea was inspired by Our Lady here in Walsingham. 10 years ago I prayed here on September 8th – Our Lady’s birthday – asking her what would be a suitable present for her. Without any shadow of doubt I can tell you that I received my answer in clear and simple terms –…

CGA TO ATTEND LOURDES PILGRIMAGE LATER THIS MONTH

October 11, 2011

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The CGA has been invited and will attend the Rendez-Vous Familles pilgrimage in Lourdes at the end of the month (Oct 29-30). The pilgrimage is a celebration of the generations and is being led by Bishop Perrier, Bishop of Lourdes. He is also the chair of the European Shrine Directors, who held their annual conference in Walsingham last month, which was addressed by Catherine Wiley, founder of the CGA. Catherine Wiley invited Shrine Directors to host Grandparents Pilgrimages at each of their Shrines and assured them of the full support of the CGA. All those present agreed and preparations are…

Pope Benedict’s Universal Prayer for Grandparents – Irish

September 27, 2011

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STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK!

September 13, 2011

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It was standing room only at the Basilica of Our Lady of Knock last Sunday for the annual National Grandparents Pilgrimage organised by the Catholic Grandparents Association. Homilist, Fr Benny MacHale, spoke about the unique relationship between children and their grandparents, describing it as a ‘special bond.’ He said that many children are more affected by what their grandparents say than what their parents say. He urged grandparents to be aware of the powerful influence they have on grandchildren and to support them and their parents. “Be aware also that grandparents should never undermine their own sons and daughters who…

GRANDPARENTS DAY IN SCHOOL!

September 9, 2011

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Pictured at the Grandparents Day in School at the St Colmcille’s National School, The Quay, Westport on Friday 8th Sept 2011, left to right: Máire Printer, CGA President; John Meaney, St Colmcille’s Principal; Catherine Wiley, CGA Founder; Liamy Mac Nally, CGA Administrator. Grandparents Day in School was introduced into this country by the CGA. It is a most successful event. Many schools host the Grandparents Day during Catholic Schools Week in February every year. A huge crowd turned out in St Colmcille’s National School for the event today (Sept 9th). Principal, John Meaney, holds Grandparnts Day in September. “We let…

CGA President meets with Scottish Singer.

August 29, 2011

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During her recent visit to her native Scotland for the inaugural Catholic Grandparents Pilgrimage in Carfin, CGA President, Máire Printer, spent a lovely afternoon in the company of renowned singer, Susan Boyle.

HUNDREDS CELEBRATE INAUGURAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE AT CARFIN GROTTO.

August 22, 2011

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More than 300 pilgrims attended the inaugural Grandparents Pilgrimage in Carfin Grotto in Scotland on Sunday (Aug 21st). The Chief Celebrant, recently retired Bishop of Aberdeen, Bishop Peter Moran, spoke about the vocation of Grandparents and their value in society and the church. Bishop Moran said that Grandparents are like Eliakim in the first reading from Isaiah: “a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honour for his family.” The founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association, Catherine Wiley, urged people to join the association. Speaking in the wake of the recent riots in England, Ms Wiley urged people…

GRANDPARENTS CENTRAL ROLE IN WORLD YOUTH DAY!

August 16, 2011

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The following is taken from the WYD website: Grandparents are being invited to participate in World Youth Day, not just watch as spectators. World Youth Day organizers have created a Grandparent’s Club for those who are over 60. 15, 211 membership cards were sent out to Grandparents across Madrid and being made available on line to Grandparents around the world. Club members agree to fulfill a list of duties, like praying for spiritual fruit of WYD, encouraging and helping their grandchildren register for WYD, encouraging other grandparents to join the club, and volunteering at a local parish or pilgrims welcome…

SCOTTISH GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE A ‘FAMILY AFFAIR’!

August 16, 2011

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The President of the Catholic Grandparents Association, Máire Printer, is in Scotland this week, ahead of our inaugural Grandparents Pilgrimage on Sunday, August 21st. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Carfin is the venue for this unique event. Mass will start at 2.00pm followed later in the afternoon by the Rosary and Blessing of the Sick. Bishop Peter Moran, who has just retired as Bishop of Aberdeen, will be the Chief Celebrant. He is a brother of Máire Printer, a native of Glasgow. Máire is very excited at the prospect of this ‘family affair’ on her home turf! “I am…

HUNDREDS OF HAPPY PILGRIMS ATTEND PILGRIMAGE IN AYLESFORD.

August 2, 2011

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Hundreds of people attended the inaugural Catholic Grandparents Pilgrimage in Aylesford Priory on Saturday July 16th 2011. The event, though dampened by some inclement weather, failed to dampen the spirits of pilgrims on what many people described as an inspirational and uplifting day. The event was organized by an inter-diocesan committee from the Archdiocese of Arundel and Brighton, Southwalk and the Diocese of Brentwood, in association with the Catholic Grandparents Association. The day was one of faith and fun and included various activities for children from face-painting, bouncy castles, football and tennis to the versatile talents of children’s entertainment from…

MEETING FORMER TAOISEACH ALBERT REYNOLDS

July 19, 2011

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60th Anniversary of the Pope’s Priestly Ordination.

June 29, 2011

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Blessings on Pope Benedict today – 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Comhghairdeas! Today is also the feast day of St Peter & St Paul. An extract from a poem in today’s Divine Office readings for St Peter & St Paul: “Rejoice, O Rome, this day; thy walls they once did sign With princely blood, who now their glory share with thee. What city’s vesture glows with crimson deep as thine? What beauty else has earth that may compare with thee?”

Thank you from office of Pope Benedict XVI

December 10, 2010

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Find your local chapter – AND JOIN TODAY!

The Catholic Grandparents Association is a global organization of the faithful. An integral part of the Catholic Grandparents Association is setting up branches at the parish level. These act as prayer and support groups for Grandparents. Grandparents have a unique vocation that must be fostered and cherished in the spirit of St. Joachim and St. Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus and parents of Mary. If you are unable to locate a chapter in your area and are interested in starting a new chapter

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