The Gift of Grandparents

How the Older Generation Helps Teach Grandchildren the Faith by Joseph Pronechen, Staff Writer Sunday, Sep 28, 2014 9:23 AM  “Grandparents are a treasure,” Pope Francis said in a homily during Mass last Nov. 19. In the same homily, the Holy Father noted, “The elderly pass on history, doctrine, faith, and they leave them to us…

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Prayer presented by Catherine Wiley

Prayer presented by Catherine Wiley, Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association on Sunday September 28th 2014 to His Holiness Pope Francis. From Rang 5/5th Class, Miss Galwey Ballyroan Boy’s School Dublin Ireland Click here to view the Prayer

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Vatican Radio – Catherine Wiley gave her testimony to the Pope

Click here to listen (Vatican Radio) What is the role grandparents play in keeping prayer at the heart of the family in the 21st century and how important are they in passing down the faith to a new generation? That is what grandparent and founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association, Catherine Wiley will be highlighting when…

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Watch 28th September Live Vatican TV

On Sunday 28 September Pope Francis will meet grandparents in St. Peter’s Square during the first international day dedicated to old age, organised by the Pontifical Council for the Family, The Blessing of Long Life. The encounter will undoubtedly attract grandparents from many countries and the CGA will be present, many wearing the distinctive green…

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How the Older Generation Helps Teach Grandchildren the Faith

BY Joseph PronechenStaff Writer “Grandparents are a treasure,” Pope Francis said in a homily during Mass last Nov. 19. In the same homily, the Holy Father noted, “The elderly pass on history, doctrine, faith, and they leave them to us as an inheritance.” He observed they “often played a heroic role in handing on the faith in times…

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8th Annual Pilgrimage at Knock – “A wonderful occasion had by all”

“A wonderful occasion had by all”. It was a great day to remember full of Graces and Blessings for everyone.  Over 12000 Grandparents and Families attended the 8th National Grandparents pilgrimage in Knock last weekend.  On Sunday, September 14, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, over 12,000 people attended the annual Grandparents Pilgrimage, in what has…

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Sacred Space102fm Radio Interview

On this week’s programme we have an interview with Máire Printer from the Catholic Grandparents Association. We have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel as well as some other odds and ends. Click here to listen to the interview Máire Printer joined us on this week’s programme to tell us about the Catholic Grandparents…

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The Blessing of Long Life

A day will be dedicated to elderly people and grandparents, who will gather to meet with Pope Francis. This is an initiative conceived and organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family, which will take place in St. Peter’s Square, on Sunday, September 28th. According to the full schedule of the meeting, entitled “The Blessing…

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A Call Out to All Grandparents

A Call Out To All Grandparents Print this story Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comments EDITOR’S NOTE: Making holy families — that’s the focus of a series of events coming up in the life of the universal Church. Pope Francis has placed family matters at the center of his pontificate. He discussed the family with the…

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Collaboration with the Catholic Grandparents Association

The Children’s Rosary and the Catholic Grandparents Association are collaborating on a special prayer effort during the month of July.  During the month of July we celebrate the Feast of St Anne and St. Joachim the grandparents of Jesus. The Church recognizes them on July 26th.  In thinking about this beautiful Feast and the wonderful role grandparents…

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Westminster Cathedral hosted the launch of the CGA England & Wales

      Written by Diocese of Westminster On 9 May grandparents came from across the country to Westminster Cathedral Hall for the launch of the England and Wales Catholic Grandparents’ Association. Speakers at the event included Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Right Rev Bishop John Arnold, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. In his address Bishop…

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Divine Mercy from Stockbridge

2014 April Divine Mercy Annual Convention Stockbridge April 26th – We were privelged 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. Pictured: Sitting – James Barr and Stewart Wiley. Standing from the…

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9th Annual Divine Mercy Conference a Great Success for The CGA

On April 5th the 9th Annual Divine Mercy Conference took place at Cardinal Spellman High School, Bronx, New York. The Catholic Grandparents Association was honoured to attend and introduce themselves. Catherine Wiley the founder had the oportunity to speak and meet with all of the above in the picture. Catherine Wiley said “we were greatly…

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The Children’s Eucharistic Adoration

The Children’s Eucharistic Adoration went very well.  When Parisioners knew about the evening they brought babies for a blessing, Fr. Laurence and Antionett were amazing.  We had positive feedback and hope now with Parish Priest behind us we can have 30 mins. Children’s Adoration before the Youth Choir practice once a month, with the help…

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More than just a Membership Card

One of our members shared an experience with us: “I needed to take a train to my daughters house in America from my Father’s house, I didn’t know you couldn’t take a train without photo id, the only id that I had was my Grandparents Membership Card, of which they accepted it, so I returned…

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Now In Stock ‘Being a Catholic Grandmother”

Who said the “third age” was about putting your feet up? Who said grandmothers were all elderly? The challenge of being a grandmother can demand more from us than we could possibly have envisaged – but it also brings unimaginable joy and delight. With contributions from many Catholic grandmothers from a range of backgrounds, Being…

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Catholic Grandparents Association Looks to St. Joachim, St. Anne as Role Models

By JULIANN DosSANTOS Maria R. Bastone LIVING FAITH—Catherine and Stewart Wiley smile during World Marriage Day at St. Malachy’s Church in Manhattan. Mrs. Wiley is founder of the international Catholic Grandparents Association that now includes members from New York. Most people rarely think about the fact that Jesus had grandparents. Yet by long tradition, Mary’s…

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MY NANA…. RORY SHEAHAM

I HAVE a close bond with my Nana, Gretta Keenan, says Rory, who is from Loughegar. She was with my Mammy when I was born and she minded me when I was small.  Every Friday night I stay at her house.  She makes a special breakfast on Saturday morning – pancakes and fried eggs.  We…

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Pope’s Prayer Intentions for February

Universal – That the Church and Society may respect the wisdom and experience of older people. For Evangelization – That priest, religious, and lay people may work together with generosity for evangelization.

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Grandparents Day in Schools 29th January in Carracastle, Co.Mayo

Maire Printer, President of the Catholic Grandparents Association and CGA members, Angela Gormley and Angela Casey were delighted to accept an invitation​ to be present at Grandparetns Day in Scoil Iosa in Carracastle, Co. Mayo, Ireland on January 29th. A lovely warm atmosphere pervaded the day and there was a large crowd of Grandparents, Teachers,…

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CGA Grandparents Days in Schools

Catholic Grandparents Association introduced the concept of Grandparents Days in Schools 7 years ago on the occasion of their first National Grandparents Pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock which takes place every year on the second Sunday of September 14th September 2014 Children from all over Ireland are encouraged to write prayers for their…

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Celebrating World Grandparents Day 26th July 2014

Celebrating World Grandparents Day with World Grandparents Day of Prayer 26th July Feast Day of St. Joachim and St. Anne, parents of Mary, Grandparents of Jesus. A day when Grandparents all over the World unite in solidarity and love to pray for themselves, their Grandchildren and their families. Please submit your prayers to us via…

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Prayer for Tom O Gorman

Prayer for Tom O Gorman: Tom O Gorman, 39, Catholic journalist and researcher at the Iona Institute, was found murdered at his home in Castleknock early on Sunday morning. Lord, We pray for the soul of Tom O Gorman: may he enter quickly into the fullness of heaven and may he rest in peace, held…

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A Poem from The Friendship Book 2014

A wish for you and those you love To light the way ahead A wish for joy and hope and peace Along the path you tread. With memories of happy times And places long ago Reminding you, you’re thought about More often than you know And then another extra wish With greetings most sincere May…

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Mass for Grandparents at Divine Mercy

On Sunday, September 8th the Mass for Grandparents at Divine Mercy was celebrated. More than 300 worshipers, along with Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell, celebrated National Grandparents Day Sept. 8 at The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy here. Prayers, devotions and a variety of activities were held from 11 a.m. until after 4 p.m.…

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Palm Beach Gardens

The diocesan “Grandparents Pilgrimage” held here Oct. 22 was a lovely and powerful celebration with moments of reflection on grandparenting and the impact grandparents have on lives.

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Year of Faith

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.

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Catholic Grandparents Association praised by Cardinal Sean Brady

Cardinal Brady comments for the Irish Catholic Newspaper on the Catholic Grandparents Association:  I had the pleasure of launching the Catholic Grandparents Association in Knock on the occasion of the National Grandparents Pilgrimage there in September 2009. I welcome the work that the Catholic Grandparents Association is doing for grandparents – supporting them, encouraging them…

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IEC Speech 2012

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,…

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IEC 2012 – Standing Ovation!

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…

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Will our Grandchildren be Catholics?

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?”

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Catholic Schools Week

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

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

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…

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CGA FOUNDER ADDRESSES EUROPEAN SHRINE DIRECTORS CONFERENCE

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…

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CGA TO ATTEND LOURDES PILGRIMAGE LATER THIS MONTH

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…

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STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK!

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…

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‘Grandparents News’ Hits the Shelves!

The Catholic Grandparents Association has just published its inaugural Grandparents News, a 32-page magazine for members of the CGA and the public.  Retailing at €3, the magazine includes articles, poems and reflections with news and views of issues affecting grandparents.  It contains reports and pictures from the inaugural Grandparents Pilgrimages in Aylesford and Carfin.  It…

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GRANDPARENTS DAY IN SCHOOL!

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…

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CGA President meets with Scottish Singer.

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.

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HUNDREDS CELEBRATE INAUGURAL GRANDPARENTS PILGRIMAGE AT CARFIN GROTTO.

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…

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