Helping to pass on the faith and keep prayer at the heart of family life

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  • 2002 The inaugural Walsingham Annual Grandparents Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham, Norfolk, England, held to honour and thank St. Joachim and St. Anne, Parents of Mary, Grandparents of Jesus and all Grandparents for all they have done for us throughout the ages particularly in the transmission of the Faith.   Spiritual  Patrons of the CGA.

  • 2002 Papal Blessing from Blessed Pope John Paul II

  • 2006 Attended the Lay Pastoral Assembly in Tuam. Suggested Grandparents Pilgrimage as a means of affirming grandparents and encouraging them to embrace their vocation of passing on the Faith.

  • 2006  Requested Pope Benedict XVI to write a Universal Prayer for Grandparents

  • 2007 Inaugural Knock Annual National Grandparents Pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock, led by Archbishop Michael Neary, CGA Patron, with 5,000 grandparents.

  • 2007 Apostolic Papal Blessing received from Pope Benedict XVI

  • 2007 First National Children's Prayer Appeal.  Children wrote prayers for their grandparents. 6,000 prayers are kept in the Knock Museum.

  • 2007 Grandparents Day in Schools introduced in Ireland.

  • 2007 Visited Pontifical Council for the Family in Rome to explain the mission and workings of the CGA

  • 2008 Received the Universal Prayer for Grandparents composed by Pope Benedict XVI at our request, now translated into all major languages

  • 2008 10,000 attended the 2nd Knock Grandparents Pilgrimage.  Father Liam Lawton wrote a song for Grandparents - 'Let Every Generation.'

  • 2008 Invited to attend Pontifical Council for the Family Full Plenary Session in the Vatican, entitled 'Grandparents Witness and Testimony in the Family’, by Cardinal Trujillo

  • 2009 The Catholic Grandparents Association is officially launched at the 3rd National Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock by Cardinal Seán Brady.

  • 2009 Presented the Pope’s Universal Prayer in Spanish in Mexico at the 6th World Family Congress.  Distributed 40,000 copies in Spanish and in English at the congress

  • 2009 Inaugural Grandparents Pilgrimage America in Palm Beach, Florida on 26th September with Bishop Barbarito.

  • 2009 Inaugural German Grandparents Pilgrimage at Our Lady’s Shrine, Schoenschtatt.

  • 2011 Inaugural Aylesford Grandparents Pilgrimage led by Bishop John Hine, now patron

  • 2011 Workshops held in Bristol and Brighton.  Appointed to Eucharistic Adoration Sub-Committee of IEC2012. Addressed Legatus Dublin Conference and Novenas and churches across the country, opening several Branches of CGA.

  • 2011 Inaugural Scottish Grandparents Pilgrimage in Carfin, with Bishop Peter Moran.

  • 2011 Addressed the European Shrine Directors Conference in Walsingham, England

  • 2011 Addressed the inaugural gathering of Grandparents in Brighton & Arundel Diocese, England

  • 2011 Addressed the New Evangelization Conference in the Vatican at the invitation of Archbishop Fisichella

  • 2011 – 1st Grandparents Pilgrimage in Liverpool, England with Bishop Kelly

  • 2012 March Documentary with EWTN

  • 2012 May: Catherine Wiley founder, presented the work of the Catholic Grandparents Association at the 7th World Family Congress Meeting in Milan.

  • 2012 May – Meeting with Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston to explain the work and mission of the CGA

  • 2012 May – Meeting with Cardinal Pell of Sydney to explain the work and mission of the CGA.   Australian contacts appointed.

  • 2012 June: Catherine Wiley founder Presented the work of the Catholic Grandparents Association at the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin

  • 2012 June Private Meeting with Cardinal Dolan of New York in Ireland to explain the work and the mission of the CGA

  • July 2012 – Inaugural Grandparents Pilgrimage in Malta

  • 2012 September 10th – 14th  Filming of mini-series “The Three Wise Women” in conjunction with the Catholic Grandparents Association for EWTN for worldwide transmission

  • 2012 CGA established in Malta, the Philippines with Bishop Gilbert Garcera, the Solomon Island with Archbishop Adrian Smith, Durban, South Africa with Cardinal Napier, Massachusetts, America with Cardinal O’Malley

  • 2012 September 24th   Attended meeting in Rome with the Pontifical Council for New Evangelisation to plan events for the Year of Faith

  • 2012 November   Meeting with the Pontifical Council for the Family to discuss Pilgrimage for Families and Grandparents in Rome

  • 2012 December  Statutes for the Catholic Grandparents Association submitted to Archbishop Michael Neary, Patron of the CGA in Ireland

  • 2012 Pilgrimages in Knock in Ireland, Walsingham, Aylesford & Liverpool in England, Carfin in Scotland, Palm Beach in USA, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia,  Malta, Gibraltar, Brittany, Fatima, Shrewsbury.

  • 2013 January    Meeting in Rome with Archbishop Fisichella of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation to discuss the Pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. Peter on 17th/18th May to celebrate the Year of Faith.

  • 2013 January 11th Inaugural meeting of the Irish CGA Working Group

  • 2013 March Requested Scottish Bishops’ Conference to appoint a Chaplain for the CGA in Scotland

  • 2013 April 24th   Phil Butcher, Director – Commission for Justice and Social Responsibility Marriage and Family Life Diocesan Coordinator in the Diocese of Brentwood is appointed Vice-President of the CGA International

  • 2013 April 26th   Decree received from Archbishop Michael Neary giving recognition to  the Statutes of the Catholic Grandparents Association

  • 2013 May   Gathering of all the Lay Associations and Movements in the Catholic Church during which our Founder, Catherine Wiley met with Pope Francis

  • 2013 July 13th   Grandparents Pilgrimage in Aylesford led by Bishop Emeritus John Hine

  • 2013 July   Bishop William Murphy, Bishop of Kerry became Spiritual Advisor of the CGA

  • 2013 July 26th – 2nd Pilgrimage in Malta

  • 2013 July 26th – First Grandparents Pilgrimage and launch of the Catholic Grandparents Association in the Philippines led by Bishop Gilbert Garcera

  • 2013 July 28th – 11th Pilgrimage in Walsingham

  • 2013  August – Our Founder, Catherine Wiley visited Korea and Japan

  • 2013 August 18th – 3rd Pilgrimage at Carfin, Scotland led by Bishop Emeritus Joseph Devine

  • 2013 September 8th – 7th Grandparents Pilgrimage at Knock being attended by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Bishop of Armagh, Monsignor Carlos Simon Vazquez, Under Secretary to Archbishop Paglia of the Pontifical Council for the Family and his Assistant, Fr. Victor Ghio

  • 2013   September 8th – Annual Grandparents Pilgrimage in Slovakia

  • 2013   October 26th/27th   - 1st Pilgrimage of Families to the Tomb of St. Peter with Pope Francis

  • 2013 Nov 23 -  Meeting with Timothy Cardinal Dolan's staff at The Archdiocese of New York 'Office of Family Life & Respect Life' to discuss introduction and implementation of the CGA into the NY Archdiocese.

  • 2013 Nov 24 – Meeting with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzo to discuss the introduction and implementation of the CGA into the Diocese of Brooklyn.

  • 2013 Nov 24 – TV interview by NETNY.net with Catherine Wiley.

  • 2013 – Nov 24 – Interview by the Brooklyn Diocesan newspaper, The Tablet, with Catherine Wiley.

  • 2013 – Nov 24 – Sirius radio interview by Msgr. Jim Lisante with Catherine Wiley.

  • 2013 - Nov 25th - Cardinal Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York endorsed the Catholic GrandparentsAssociation.
  • 2013 - Dec 1st - Cardinal Pell launched the Australian Chapter of the CGA on the first Sunday of Advent in Sydney at St Mary’s Cathedral. Cardinal George Pell was the celebrant and gave a homily, which described the genisis of the CGA.
  • 2013 Dec 7th - Bishop Gilbert - CGA launch in the Diocese of Legazpi and Caceres in Philippines, In Legazpi there were 400 Grandparents who attended our orientation and the launching of the CGA.
  • 2014 - Jan - Meeting with Vinny Barretta discussing the introduction of the CGA to the USA
  • 2014 - Feb 9th - World Marraige Day St.Malachy’s Church, 239 West 49th Street, New York, NY, 10019
  • 2014 - Feb 27th - Invited to meeting with Pontifical Council for the Family to discuss a forthcoming event in September, this year specifically for Grandparents and Grandchildren.
  • 2014 Feb 18th - Planning for Eighth National Grandparents Pilgrimage to the Shrine of our Lady of Knock on the 14th September. Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio, will be our Chief Celebrant and Father Liam Lawton will be our Guest Singer.
  • 2014 Feb 16th - Annual Meeting for The Catholic Grandparents Association in Ireland.
  • 2014 March 17th –Matthew Kelly, Founder Dynamic Catholic meets Catherine Wiley, Founder of the CGA, in Palm Beach Florida.
  • 2014 April 5th - Catholic Grandparents Association attend the 9th Divine Mercy Conference at Cardinal Spell High School, Bronx, New York. Catherine Wiley had the pleasure of meeting with featured speakers and the panel of Divine Mercy Experts and introduce the work of the CGA.
  • 2014 April Divine Mercy Annual Convention Stockbridge April 26th – We were privileged to have met and have dinner with pictured below at The Divine Mercy Conference Stockbridge, This was most memorable occasion full of graces and great hope and joy for the future.
  • 9th May 2014 – Launch of The Catholic Grandparents Association, England & Wales
  • 2014 May CGA Groups inaugurated in Gibraltar
  • 2014 May CGA Groups inaugurated in Spain
  • 2014 May CGA groups inaugurated in Dubai
  • 2014 First Branch Meeting of the CGA in Walsingham with Bishop of East Anglia
  • Walsingham Pilgrimage 26th July 2014 St. John Paul II relic presented to the Catholic Grandparents Association by Monsignor Carlos Simon Vazquez from the Pontifical Council for the Family in acknowledgement and recognition of the work of the CGA
  • September 14th, Knock. National Irish Pilgrimage attended by over 12,000 grandparents and grandchildren. Chief Celebrant, Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown.
  • 28th September 2014 Rome The Blessing of Long Life with Pope Francis Tom Slater, Grandson of Catherine Wiley founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association gave testimony to Holy Father Pope Francis in the presence of Pope Emeritus Benedict in St Peters Square on September 28th 2014 for the first gathering for Grandparents and The Elderly. Catherine also gave testimony and was able to thank Pope Benedict publicly for writing the Universal Prayer for Grandparents for the Association.
  • 18th October 2014 Grandparents Pilgrimage Palm Beach A Great Success, Bishop Barbarito welcomed the establishment of The CGA in the Diocese of Palm Beach
  • 19th November 2014 Catherine Wiley Founder of The Cathoic Grandparents Association presenting the Guidelines and statutes to BISHOP AGNELO RUFINO GRACIAS - AUXILIARY BISHOP OF BOMBAY BISHOP DOMINIC SAVIO FERNANDES - AUXILIARY BISHOP OF BOMBAY
  • 5th February - Bishop Alan endorses Catholic grandparents Association (CGA) in Brentwood.
  • 17th January - Scotland Launch of The CGA On Saturday, 17th January, we had a visit from Mr Phil Butcher from the Catholic Grandparents Association. The Association is big in Ireland, England and the USA. It recognises the wonderful part Catholic grandparents nowadays play in the continuing faith formation of their grandchildren (and even children). About forty people from the diocese came to hear Phil and to experience something of the fundamental ideas that underpin the Association.
  • 22nd - 24th January - The CGA attended the Synod of Bishops, Lineamanta.  ‘The Pastoral Challenges facing the Family in the Context of Evangelisation’.  From the 22nd to the 24th of January, Catholic Grandparents Association joined with almost 300 delegates from 82 of the national and international family movements and associations, from 26 countries on five continents. Invited by the Pontifical Council for the Family, the event was convened to consider our respective responses to the Relatio Synodi, the report issued after the Extraordinary Synod in October.
  • Sunday February 22nd - Trim Church Gate Collection.  Despite biting winds and pouring rain, the Annual Church Gate Collection in Trim, a beautiful town about 30 miles north west of Dublin, went ahead as planned. The collection was attended by our Founder, Catherine Wiley, who was visiting the area. She stopped and spoke with the many people attending the masses at St Patricks and other nearby parishes. The collection, which was organised by Martin Daly.
  • Sunday February 22nd - Navan - All Ireland Gathering. Delegates from all across Ireland gathered in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, for the all Ireland Gathering on Sunday 22nd February 2015. About 40 people had made the journey to hear the latest developments in the CGA and also to share with each other the progress made in so many areas across Ireland.
  • Catherine Wiley presented the Guidelines of The Catholic Grandparents Association to Archbishop Allen Vigneron, Detroit USA at The 10th Annual Divine Mercy Conference, Cardinal Spellman High School One Cardinal Spellman Place Bronx, New York 10466 United States
  • 2021

    Grandparents’ Faith Cafe The Grandparents’ Faith Cafe

    The Faith Café hosted via Zoom 12 times in 2021. Speakers at the Faith Cafe in 2021 were:

    Fr Bryan Shortall Ofm Cap

    Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe

    Lorene Hanley Duquin, Author, The Catholic Grandparents Handbook

    Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

    Monsignor John Armitage, Canning Town Parish, UK

    Peggy Stanton, Ave Maria Radio broadcaster and author, The Order of Malta Minutes for the Catechism/From the White House to the White Cross

    Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam

    John Michael Talbot, composer and author

    Father Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine

    Ms Julia M Dezelski, Assistant Director,  USCCB Marriage and Family Life

    EWTN’s Joan Lewis

    Sr Anne Marie McGuan, Archdiocese of Edinburgh and Saint Andrews.

    Online Ministry Seminar, September 28

    The CGA held its first ever Online Ministry Seminar which was aimed at Grandparents and parishes looking to anchor a Ministry to Grandparents into the life of the parish. More than 70 attended the event which took place online via Zoom. Speakers at the gathering included Catherine Wiley, Marilyn Henry and Brenda Drumm. Two ministry groups from the USA also shared case studies of how their ministry works.

     World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

    Pope Francis’ announcement on January 31st was received with great joy by the CGA as it was something that we had been campaigning for down through the years. The CGA issued a statement of welcome as did Archbishop Michael Neary. The CGA. Numerous resources for parishes and ministries were developed. Catherine Wiley and Marilyn Henry were invited by the Dicastery to represent the CGA at the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Mass in Rome.

    Grandparents Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine 2021

    Date changed to the 4th Sunday in July to coincide with the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Due to covid restrictions, Catherine delivered a pre-recorded address to the pilgrimage which was very well received.

    Speaking Engagements

    Catherine spoke as part of the Joy and Love Family Series which was hosted over the course of Summer 2021 by the Diocese of Metuchen in partnership with the other four Catholic Dioceses in the State of New Jersey: the Archdiocese of Newark, the Diocese of Camden, the Diocese of Trenton, and the Diocese of Paterson.

    Catherine also addressed the first ever National Conference hosted by the Catholic Grandparents Association in the Philippines on 24 July on the theme ‘I am with you always’. The CGA was also part of the Senior Conference for the Diocese of Miami, ‘Wisdom of the Golden Age’, with Archbishop Wenski and a Facebook Live conference for the Diocese of Fall River Massachusetts in the United States. Marilyn Henry spoke, by invitation, at a Family Life Ministers Zoom meeting for the USCCB

    Conferences and Events

    The CGA took part in the National Council of Catholic Women, US Conference , Ave Maria Radio Anniversary Celebration, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US and the Sain. Nicholas Christmas Show sponsored by the Catholic Marketing Network, Dallas, Texas, US.

    Retirement of Archbishop Michael Neary and new Patron

    The retirement of Archbishop Michael Neary was announced on 10 November and simultaneously the appointment of Archbishop Francis Duffy as his successor in Tuam. Archbishop Francis Duffy was installed as Archbishop of Tuam on 9 January 2022 and he has graciously accepted the patronage of the Catholic Grandparents Association.

    2022

    Archbishop Francis Duffy was installed as Archbishop of Tuam on 9 January 2022 and he accepted the patronage of the Catholic Grandparents Association. During 2022 the CGA had two meetings with Archbishop Duffy to update him on the ongoing work of the CGA. Archbishop Duffy assured us of his prayers and his continued support.

    Faith Café

    The Grandparents’ Faith Café was hosted 11 times in 2022. In December 2022 we reached the milestone of offering our 25th gathering of the Faith Café. Guest speakers at the Faith Café in 2022 were:

    Journalist and Author Peggy Stanton

    Father Liam Lawton

    Bishop David Oakley

    Associate Professor Vivek da Silva

    Archbishop Francis Duffy

    Cardinal Wilfred Napier

    Fr Willie Purcell

    Life Coach Tara Rafter

    Dana Rosemary Scallon

    Father Enda Brady

    Bishop Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry

    Grandparents and Synodality

    The CGA contributed to the online survey hosted by the Irish Bishops’ Conference as they set out on the Synodal Pathway. Our main request to them as they prepared the material was that the voices and experience of Grandparents and older people would have a place at the discussion table.

    We attended a meeting on the Synodal Pathway hosted on behalf of the Steering Group in Spring 2022 and represented at the National Synodal Assembly in Athlone and Clonmacnoise where the main findings of the previous months work were shared and discussed. We also participated in a number of synodal discussions and feedback loops which were hosted by the Council for Marriage and the Family.

    Online Ministry Seminar

    More than 50 Ministry Leaders and prospective Ministry Leaders attended on online Ministry Seminar aimed at Grandparents and parishes who were looking to anchor a Ministry to Grandparents into the life of their parish.

     Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly continued to grow in celebrations around the world. A new resource added for this year was the Peace Card with the simple message to share in families ‘Peace Be With You’. The Irish Bishops’ Conference requested permission from the CGA to use our dedicated resources on its website. The resources were also used by our ministries in parishes around the world.

    Formation

    Three board members undertook a year-long Diploma in Catechetics in 2021which was offered by the Archdiocese of Edinburgh and Saint Andrews.

    The CGA sponsored Grandparents from Australia, England and Zimbabwe, to complete the Diploma in Catechetics offered by the Archdiocese of Edinburgh and Saint Andrews in 2022.

    10th World Meeting of Families 2022 in Rome

    The 10th World Meeting of Families took place in Rome from 22-26 June on the theme ‘Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness’. Catherine Wiley and Marilyn Henry represented the CGA at the week-long event in Rome hosted by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and the Diocese of Rome.

    Grandparents Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine 2022

    The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was also marked in Ireland with the National Grandparents Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine. The principal celebrant was Archbishop Francis Duffy, assisted by Father Richard Gibbons PP and Rector of Knock Shrine. This was the  Catherine Wiley  gave a short address at the pilgrimage on the valuable role that Grandparents have in their families, parishes and in society.

    Conferences, Events, Meetings and Committees

    March -Marilyn Henry  took part in the first Anne and Joachim Workshop organised by the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The day-long conference was conducted in five parishes. Following the conference, the CGA met and presented the CGA medal to Bishop Edward C. Malesic.

    Meetings and Committees - Bishop David Oakley of Northampton hosted the CGA for a meeting on Friday 4 March in which we discussed the place of ministry to Grandparents in the context of the Marriage and Family outreach of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

    Marilyn Henry delivered a keynote address at a senior workshop sponsored by the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas.

    October -  Marilyn Henry spoke at the National Association of Family Life Ministers in San Antonio, Texas which was attended by Family Life Ministers from across the USA. She presented CGA materials to all present including Bishop Daniel Flores, Bishop of the of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas and Bishop Milan Lach, Bishop, Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, Ohio.

    The CGA visited the Shrine of Medjugorje in September to visit with the Rector and some of the members of the Franciscans in Croatia. We requested and were granted the following: a dedicated shrine or altar area for Grandparents; a speaker for the Grandparents’ Faith Café in 2023 and most importantly a Grandparents Pilgrimage each year to coincide with the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

    Catherine Wiley visited Malta in November for a series of meetings with CGA representative Stephen Gatt, with Cana International, and with the Archdiocese. She met with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi and Archbishop Scicluna to share some of the work we are doing especially our focus on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and  presented them with CGA medals.

    Archbishop Francis Duffy was installed as Archbishop of Tuam on 9 January 2022 and he accepted the patronage of the Catholic Grandparents Association. During 2022 the CGA had two meetings with Archbishop Duffy to update him on the ongoing work of the CGA. Archbishop Duffy assured us of his prayers and his continued support.

    The CGA had a two page article published in the official magazine of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Intercom Magazine which introduced the Faith Café to a new audience. We also completed articles for some diocesan publications and had a significant interview on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in The Irish Catholic Newspaper. We also took part in a World Meeting of Families TV interview on EWTN.

    2023

    Faith Café

    Guest speakers in 2023 were:

    Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop Diocese of Elphin, Ireland

    Sister Dervilla O’Donnell, Ireland

    Fr Bryan Shortall Ofm Cap, Ireland

    Father Alan Hilliard, Ireland

    Father Svetozar Kraljevic OFM - Medjugorje

    Jane Sweeney, Author, US

    David Quinn, Ireland - Founder of The Iona Institute and renowned journalist

    Cardinal Wilfred Napier, South Africa

    World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Mass and Celebrations

    Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Chair of the Bishop’s Council for Marriage and the Family, served as celebrant at the National Grandparents Pilgrimage held on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, attended by over 6,000 participants.

    The newly named Papal Nuncio in Ireland, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor celebrated the mass.

    Catherine Wiley attended the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Mass in Croatia Medjugorje - In cooperation with Marriage and Family Life, and Petar-Kresimir Hodzic, World Day for Grandparents and The Elderly was celebrated in Medjugorje for the first time at St. James Parish with Celebrant Archbishop Cavalli, Aplostolic Visitator.

    Mexico City -A pilgrimage was held for the first time at The Shrine of Our Lady Untying the Knots in Cancun. A celebration Mass was held at the Cathedral de la Santisma Trinidad in Cancun celebrated by Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas.

    Walsingham, England, The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham - Bishop David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton, head of Marriage and family, served as celebrant at the National Grandparents Pilgrimage held on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly with Archbishop Peter Collins of East Anglia as Concelebrant.

    The Philippines has established an outstanding model for a CGA Ministry under the guidance of Bishop Gilbert Garcera, Vice Chairman of the Commission of the Family.

    Outreach – 2023

    Father Limukani Ndlovu, Head of the Pastoral Center, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

    Sister Mary Rosanna Emenusiobi lHm, Secretary, Family and Human Life Ministry, Catholic Bishops Conference, Nigeria

    Grandparents Meals Through working with Father Adaiklaasamy Erudayam, our outreach in India has expanded to include a social service project to provide meals for elderly indigent Grandparents in the Diocese of Kumbakonam.

    The CGA presence continues to grow in Australia under the guidance of Ron and Mavis Pirola, former Chairs of the Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council and former members of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

    Ministries in the United States have grown, now numbering nearly 100 with Ministries in nearly every state. CGA Ministries prove to be a vital influence in Parishes as members become Grandparents for all the children of the Parish.

      Ireland, Catherine Wiley and her husband met with Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor the new Papal Nuncio in Ireland and the Archbishop’s Secretariat. Catherine presented them, most importantly, with the Pope’s Prayer for Grandparents as well as the exclusive CGA medal, CGA materials and resources.

    Catherine Wiley met with Bishop Carmelo Zammit, Bishop of Gibraltar and Father Charlie, Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe. Under the leadership of Rosemary Isola, Grandparents Ministry Leader, Grandparents Day is now celebrated in every Catholic school in Gibraltar, a milestone for the CGA. Ministry members number over 250. Catherine also met with the Secretary, Family and Human Life Ministry as well as the Ministry of Education.

    Marilyn Henry, International Ministry Coordinator, visited Greece resourcing Parishes and Cathedrals throughout Greece including Athens, communicating with the Secretary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Athens.

    Marilyn Henry met with Father Richard Larcher, Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre, Quebec City, Canada presenting him with the Pope Benedict’s Prayer for Grandparents, CGA materials and establishing the need for a Pilgrimage for Grandparents at the Shrine in 2024.

    Prayer Appeal Introduced on our website. We have expanded our Website to include a special prayer initiative.