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Join us for Holy Week!
At the heart of our Christian Faith is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These saving events that we commemorate and participate in during the Sacred Liturgy of Holy Week are the reason we call it ‘the Great Week.’ Mary is helping us to make this journey together as we walk with her…
Read MoreHoly Week and Easter Ceremonies 2024
Pope’s March prayer intention: For the martyrs of our day
Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for March, asking for prayers for the martyrs of our day, and recalling a story he was told by a widowed Muslim man who recounted the martyrdom of his Christian wife as she defied terrorists. By Francesca Merlo “For the martyrs of our day, witnesses to Christ”. In the…
Read MorePope Francis releases the theme for his message for the 2024 World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly: “Do not cast me off in my old age”.
‘Loneliness’ at heart of Pope’s theme for 4th Grandparents Day By Devin Watkins On Sunday, July 28, Catholics around the world will be invited to take time to reflect on the great heritage and wisdom passed on by their grandparents and the elderly. In preparation for the 4th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the…
Read MorePope Francis: Lent is a time of conversion and freedom
In his message for Lent 2024, Pope Francis invites the faithful to “pause” for prayer and to assist our brothers and sisters in need, in order to change our own lives and the lives of our communities. By Christopher Wells – Vatican News “When our God reveals Himself, His message is always one of freedom,”…
Read MoreThe CGA Ministry at Prince of Peace, Houston, Texas
Pictured Left to right – Jane Chaya, Marilyn Henry (CGA International Ministry Coordinator), Sheila Lum The CGA Ministry at Prince of Peace, Houston, Texas, was invited to exhibit at the Diocese of Galveston/Houston’s “Conference on Aging” sponsored by the Office on Aging. Attendees were invited to write the names of their grandchildren in the Ministry’s…
Read MoreOur next Faith Cafe will be held on Tuesday 13th February
Guest Speaker: Kimberly Hahn Theme: Grace-Filled Grandparenting – How to Share Our Love and God’s Love with the Next Generation. Kimberly Hahn is the Co-Founder and Trustee for the St. Paul Center , an apostolate dedicated to teaching Catholics to read Scripture from the heart of the Church. She has been married to Scott for forty-four years.…
Read MoreBishop Deenihan: “Catholic Schools Week 2024 highlights significant contribution of schools as communities of service”
by Chah Garde | 19 Jan, 2024 | Bishops, Church, News Across the island of Ireland, from 21 to 27 January, the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week will be marked by parish communities. During this dedicated week, school communities will pray, explore and discuss the 2024 theme which reflects the contribution of Catholic schools as ‘Communities of Service’ in our society. According to Bishop Tom Deenihan,…
Read MorePope announces Year of Prayer leading up to Jubilee
At the Angelus, Pope Francis announces a “Year of Prayer” ahead of the upcoming Jubilee, and invites the faithful to pray for Christian unity and for peace throughout the world. The Holy Father also calls for the release of a group of people, including several nuns, who were kidnapped last week in Haiti. By Christopher…
Read MoreFebruary Faith Cafe
We would like to thank everyone who attended our February Faith Cafe which was truly inspiring with Guest Speaker Keith Chappell. If you are subscribed to our newsletter the video will be available soon to watch. Guest Speaker: Keith Chappell Keith Chappell teaches religion and theology at the University of Leeds and the Maryvale Institute, both…
Read MoreAdvent message from the founder Catherine Wiley
Archbishop Eamon Martin launches Advent 2023 online calendar
To coincide with this Sunday, 3 December, the first day of Advent, Archbishop Eamon Martin will launch the annual online Advent Calendar on catholicbishops.ie. 2023 marks the tenth year of this popular seasonal resource. As a door opens each day, viewers will experience brief personal video reflections on the Advent season from lay women and…
Read MoreKnock Shrine ‘Carols by Candlelight’
Sunday 17th December at 8pm ‘Carols by Candlelight’ will take place at Knock Basilica on Sunday, December 17th at 8pm. This evening will be a musical celebration of the season of Christmas, with carols, hymns and festive favourites performed by School Cantorum Basilicae and Knock Youth Choir. Musical accompaniment for the evening will be ny…
Read MoreCatherine Wiley founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association and her husband Stewart, met recently to welcome the new Papal Nuncio in Ireland, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor.
Catherine presented his Excellency with Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer for Grandparents – composed by Pope Benedict for the Association at their request in 2008 and which was, in fact, the instrument of Evangelization which elevated what began as a simple Pilgrimage honoring the Grandparents of Jesus, to the Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) as a Private…
Read MoreDonate to Grandparents Meals in India
Grandparents Dinner Providing nutritious food ONCE IN A DAY TO 50 poor grandparents, orphan children and abandoned women in two villages of Kuppam (25) and Kumilankuzhi (25) in Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, South India, managed by the Catholic Grandparents Association To Help Grandparents Pass on the Faith and to Keep Prayer at the Heart of…
Read MoreOur next Faith Cafe will be held on Tuesday 14th November
Guest Speaker David Quinn Theme: ‘Catholics in the Modern Sexual Minefield’. David Quinn is a well-known journalist in Ireland who specialises in religious and social affairs. He has been a national newspaper columnist since 1994, and currently has columns each week in both The Sunday Independent and The Irish Catholic. He was editor of The Irish Catholic from…
Read MorePope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of November, asking the faithful to pray that the Lord will bless him.
By Vatican News In “The Pope Video” for November, Pope Francis asks the faithful to “Pray to the Lord that He will bless me,” saying, “Your prayer gives me strength and helps me to discern and to accompany the Church, listening to the Holy Spirit.” Each month the Pope offers a specific prayer intention, inviting…
Read MoreDay of Prayer and Fasting for Peace
Pope: ‘May weapons fall silent, situation in Gaza is desperate’ Appealing for peace in the Holy Land, Pope Francis expresses concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons and all Christians to pray and fast on 27 October for peace. “The number of victims is growing and…
Read MoreMass for Peace in the World
Sunday, October 29th at 12 noon in Knock Basilica With so many places in the world currently being devastated by war and destruction, Knock Shrine will offer a special Mass for Peace on Sunday October 29th at 12noon. This Mass will take place in Knock Basilica and will also be streamed live on www.knockshrine.ie/watch-live All are welcome to join with us as we pray for an end…
Read MoreNovember Prayer Candles for the Deceased
A Candle Each Day for Your Loved Ones Each November affords us a time to pause, reflect and remember all those who have died and gone before us into the loving arms of God. For the month of November, we are offering an opportunity to send a list of your deceased loved ones to us…
Read MoreFaith Café gathering October 10th
Our next Grandparents’ Faith Cafe gathering will open again on Tuesday 10th October online via zoom.
Read MoreSeptember Faith Cafe
🙏We would like to thank everyone who attended our Faith Cafe last night, what a truly wonderful gathering and we look forward to our next one on Tuesday 10th October of which details will follow Below some of our wonderful attendees comments “Absolutely loved it, I’m floating on air.” “Thank you Fr Svet, Truly inspiring.”…
Read MoreDowry of Mary Pilgrimage – at Walsingham Catholic National Shrine
This week Our Lady’s Shrine is preparing for the forthcoming Dowry of Mary pilgrimage which will be led by Bishop Alan Hopes, along side our new Rector Fr. Robert Billing. This is always a joyous day as many of the Ethnic Chaplaincies are present with their own unique expressions of faith and love of Jesus…
Read MoreOfficial Prayer and Plenary Indulgence for the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
The Vatican has released the Official Prayer for the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly announced a Plenary Indulgence for the occasion which will be celebrated on Sunday 23 July. You can read the prayer below and also share this beautiful prayer card prepared by the Dicastery for Laity Family and Life. Prayer…
Read MoreSynodal Sunday Gospel Reflection on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, 23rd July 2023
During the diocesan stage of the Universal Synod, people called for courses, resources, and dynamic spaces where they could explore or deepen their own faith, spirituality, and understanding of Scripture on a personal level. One initiative being made available in 2023 is this series of short video reflections on the Sunday Gospel each week. Watch…
Read MoreMake a pilgrimage for the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
We invite you to make a pilgrimage for the third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday 23 July. This year we will have a pilgrimage in Knock Shrine, in Walsingham and in Medjugorge. See the details below for each of the pilgrimages: Knock Shrine, Ireland Walsingham, UK Medjugorje
Read MoreResources for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
We are on the one month countdown to the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated on Sunday 23 July 2023. The resources include pull up banners, social media visuals, liturgical resources and some creative and practical ways to involve grandparents and their families in your parish celebration of the world…
Read MorePope Francis’ Message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is released
The Vatican has today, Thursday 15 June, released the Pope’s Message for the Third World Day for the Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated on Sunday 23 July 2023. The message can be viewed here as a PDF with a beautiful illustration of the Visitation which is central to the Holy Father’s message.…
Read MoreFamily: a relational good for the common good. Pope Francis launches the Family Global Compact
“A shared program of actions” to establish dialogue between family ministry and family research centers in Catholic universities throughout the world “for the promotion of the family in light of the Social Doctrine of the Church”. This is the Family Global Compact (FGC) presented today in the Holy See Press Office. Supported by a Message of His Holiness…
Read MoreCGA welcomes theme chosen by Pope Francis for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
The Catholic Grandparents Association welcomes the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023 which is: ‘His mercy is from age to age’ (Luke 1:50) Commenting on the theme Catherine Wiley, CGA Founder, said, “The Catholic Grandparents Association warmly welcomes the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the…
Read MoreThe vital role of Grandparents in Church and family life
We were reminded today of this wonderful interview which our Founder Catherine Wiley did with Vatican Radio. It’s well worth a listen as she stresses the important role Grandparents can play in passing on the faith and keeping prayer at the heart of family life. Click here ENDS
Read MoreLenten Penance and the Synodal Journey
Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2023 Dear brothers and sisters! The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the episode of the Transfiguration of Jesus. There we see the Lord’s response to the failure of his disciples to understand him. Shortly before, there had been…
Read MoreWho is Saint Joseph to me? A European Art Competition open for entries
The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe invites artists to think and create together on the figure of Saint Joseph! How do we see in 2023 this Patron saint of the Catholic Church, Patron of fathers, and Patron of workers? This call for art works embodies two of the directions set by Pope Francis:…
Read MorePope’s Message for World Day of the Sick 2023
Pope Francis releases his message for the 31th World Day of the Sick, and urges Catholics to heed the example of the Good Samaritan showing compassion and taking care of the sick in a world that discards the most vulnerable. As the Church journeys along the synodal path, Pope Francis is inviting the faithful to…
Read MoreChristmas Greetings from the Catholic Grandparents Association
We are sending you warm greetings for Christmas from the Catholic Grandparents Association: Wishing the light of the Christmas star to you. The warmth of home and hearth to you. The cheer and good will of friends to you. The hope of a childlike heart to you. The joy of a thousand angels to you.…
Read MoreAdvent has begun: Let’s celebrate Bambinelli Sunday!
Advent has begun. Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”), in the Christian church calendar, is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Advent is often described as a time of devout and expectant delight. Advent is also best described as…
Read MoreSpread Peace this New Church Year
We are living a famine of peace – Pope Francis In his message for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis addressed the need for peace in our world. He said, “Our world is passing through a time of trial and testing, beginning with the sudden, violent outbreak of the pandemic,…
Read MoreRe-read your life’s story to discover Christ – Pope Francis
Pope Francis continued his catechesis series on discernment at the Wednesday General Audience on 19 October, and urged each of us to examine the story of our life in order to discover the hidden footsteps of Jesus. The Pope focused his attention on how our life’s story can reveal God’s hidden actions. He said, “Our…
Read MoreMinistry Seminar to assist parishes to reach out to Grandparents and Elders
On Saturday 1 October next, the Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) will host a Ministry Seminar to facilitate those interested in establishing a Grandparents’ Ministry in parishes. The Ministry Seminar is aimed at those starting out and those wishing to enrich and enhance recently established ministries for Grandparents. So, if you are a parish that would like…
Read MoreSome prayers and reflections for Autumn
We are delighted to share some prayers, reflections and quotes with you as we move on into a real feeling of Autumn and the changing of the Seasons. Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus on 11 September 2022 This first piece is from Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus address on 11 September 2022. As you read these words…
Read MorePope Francis at Audience: ‘Alliance between youth and elderly will save humanity’
At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis reflected on the value of old age, focusing on Daniel’s prophetic dream about the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9-10). The Pope said the vision—known as a theophany—highlights the connection between old age and youth. Everything about the man in the vision is full of “vigour, strength, nobility, beauty,…
Read MorePress Release: Grandparents to gather at Knock Shrine for National Pilgrimage and to celebrate the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Sunday 24 July will see grandparents from across Ireland gathering in Knock Shrine for their annual pilgrimage which coincides with the celebration of the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the newly introduced universal celebration instituted by Pope Francis last year. This year’s pilgrimage will mark a number of firsts: it will be the…
Read MoreTeachers of tenderness – the Pope Video for July
The Pope Video for July has just been released with the prayer intention that Francis is entrusting to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. This month, the Holy Father prays “for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to…
Read MoreIntroducing our Peace Card for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
In his message for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis addresses the need for peace in our world. He says, “Our world is passing through a time of trial and testing, beginning with the sudden, violent outbreak of the pandemic, and then by a war that is harming peace and…
Read MoreResources for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2022
Pope Francis established a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which took place for the first time on Sunday 25 July 2021. In 2022, the celebration will fall on Sunday 24 July, the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s…
Read MoreMessage of Pope Francis for the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
“In old age they will still bear fruit” (Psalm 92:15) Dear Friends, “In old age they will still bear fruit” (Ps 92:15). These words of the Psalmist are glad tidings, a true “gospel” that we can proclaim to all on this second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. They run counter to what the…
Read MorePope Francis at General Audience: The beauty of bonds that unite generations
In his continuing catechesis on the meaning and value of old age in the light of God’s word, Pope Francis today, Wednesday 27 April, reflected on the figure of the widow Naomi as presented in the biblical Book of Ruth, which he called “a jewel of the Bible.” He told those gathered at Wednesday’s General…
Read MoreEaster 2022 Newsletter: We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!
I am delighted to bring you the Easter 2022 edition of our newsletter. Click below to download it. CGA NEWSLETTER EASTER 2022 I take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy Easter. A Happy Easter is something that seems contradictory when so many people are still very much living out a Good…
Read MorePope Francis appeals for Easter truce in Ukraine
As the war wages on in Ukraine and the massacres continue, Pope Francis has appealed for a truce in the war-ravaged nation this Easter. During his remarks following his Angelus address this Palm Sunday, the Pope exclaimed, “Let the weapons be put down! Let the Easter truce begin.” The Holy Father noted that as we…
Read MoreApril 2022 Ministry Resource available for download
Each month we publish a monthly Ministry Resource to offer snippets of news and suggested themes for discussion during Ministry meetings. The April issue is now available to view or download. CGA Ministry Resource April 2022
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