Latest News
April 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
Read MorePastoral kit for the World Meeting of Families 2022 now available
The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has made available a Pastoral Kit for dioceses and parishes to assist with the local celebration of the 10th World Meeting of Families, which will take place from 22 – 26 June. As numbers going to Rome for the event are restricted due to the pandemic, Pope Francis…
Read MoreApril Faith Café to focus on the wellbeing and empowerment of Grandparents
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 12 April. The CGA is delighted to announce Tara Rafter as guest speaker. She will speak on the theme of ‘The wellbeing and empowerment of Grandparents in a post-pandemic world’. Tara Rafter is an award winning Life Coach, Life Coach Trainer, Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Author and Speaker.…
Read MorePray and Fast for Peace this Lent – Archbishop Eamon Martin
Archbishop Eamon Martin is encouraging families to pray together and fast for peace this Lent. Archbishop Martin was speaking as he launched the #LivingLent social media initiative for Lent 2022. The #LivingLent digital media initiative invites the faithful to use social media to grow closer to God during Lent so as to prepare for the…
Read MorePope Francis’ launches new Catechesis series on the meaning and value of old age
Pope Francis has begun a new catechesis series on the meaning and value of old age. The 85 year old Pontiff began the series at his weekly General Audience on 23 February by saying, “We have finished the catecheses on Saint Joseph. Today we begin a catechetical journey that seeks inspiration in the Word of…
Read MoreMarch Faith Café to focus on Baptism and to feature a ‘Grandparents’ Liturgy for Peace in our World’
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 8 March. The CGA is delighted to announce Father Enda Brady as guest speaker for March. He will speak on the theme of ‘The call of Baptism’. Father Enda Brady is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly in Ireland. He is parish priest in the…
Read MoreCGA welcomes theme announced by Pope Francis for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2022
Pope Francis has this morning announced the theme for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated this year on Sunday 24 July. The theme, which is taken from Psalm 92:15, is ‘In old age they will still bear fruit’. Expanding on the theme in a series of tweets, the Holy…
Read MoreJourney of preparation continues towards 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome in June 2022
As the Church draws closer to the 10th World Meeting of Families, which will take place in Rome on 22-26 June 2022, some short films are being produced to accompany the path of preparation for this event. The Diocese of Rome and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, which are organizing the Meeting,…
Read MoreFebruary Faith Café to welcome Dana Rosemary Scallon as guest speaker
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 8 February. The CGA is delighted to announce Dana Rosemary Scallon as guest speaker for February. She will speak on the theme of ‘The Joy of Love in Marriage and Family (especially in Grandparenting)’. Dana Rosemary Scallon, known professionally as Dana, is an Irish singer and…
Read MoreJanuary Ministry Resource now available
Our January Ministry Resource is now available to download. Each month we offer a simple one page information leaflet with resources and suggestions for discussion topics at your Ministry meetings. We’d love to hear from you if there is something you would like us to include in the Ministry Resource or if you have a…
Read MoreFirst Grandparents’ Faith Café of 2022 opening online on Tuesday 11th January
The first Grandparents’ Faith Café of 2022 will open online on Tuesday 11 January. The CGA is delighted to announce Bishop Paul Dempsey, Bishop of the Diocese of Achonry in Ireland as guest speaker for January. Bishop Dempsey will speak on the theme of ‘Grandparents and Synodality’. Bishop Paul Dempsey, is the Bishop of Achonry…
Read MoreChristmas Greetings from the Catholic Grandparents Association
We wish you every blessing for a Happy and Holy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Thank you for all your support in 2021 for our mission to help grandparents to pass on the faith and to keep prayer at the heart of family life. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for…
Read MoreDecember Newsletter now available
I am delighted to be writing to you as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. We prepare for Christmas with the attitudes of Elizabeth and Mary. Like Elizabeth we are open to receive Christ with wonder and joy. Like Mary we are ready to do the will of God as it is made clear to us.…
Read MoreBlessing for Bambinelli Sunday 2021
The Blessing of the Bambinelli (Baby Jesus) is a tradition which began in Rome. Each year on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), the Holy Father invites children to bring the Baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from their family Nativity scene to Mass for a blessing. We have been encouraging the observation of this tradition in parishes for a…
Read MoreBe part of #SharingHope with the Digital Advent Calendar for 2021
The first day of Advent heralds the beginning of the Catholic Church’s new year. Advent (from ‘ad-venire’ in Latin or “to come to”) is the Church season encompassing the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas. Advent also…
Read MoreDecember Faith Cafe to focus on Grandparents as Catechists with guest speaker Sister Anna Marie McGuan
The CGA is delighted to announce Sister Anna Marie McGuan as guest speaker for its December Grandparents’ Faith Cafè which will take place online via Zoom on Tuesday 14 December. Sister Anna Marie will speak on the theme of ‘Grandparents as Catechists’. Sister Anna Marie McGuan is a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. After…
Read MorePress Release: Statement by Catherine Wiley on the retirement of Archbishop Michael Neary as Archbishop of Tuam
Catherine Wiley, Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association has issued the following statement following today’s announcement of the retirement of Archbishop Michael Neary as Archbishop of Tuam: “As his retirement is announced today Wednesday 10 November, the Catholic Grandparents Association would like to pay tribute to our beloved Patron Archbishop Michael Neary for his wise…
Read MoreCGA announces EWTN’s Joan Lewis as guest speaker for November Faith Café
The CGA is delighted to announce EWTN’s Joan Lewis as guest speaker for its November Grandparents’ Faith Cafè which will take place online via Zoom on Tuesday 9 November. A native of Oak Park, Illinois, Joan has lived in Rome for four decades and has worked for or covered the Vatican as a journalist and…
Read MoreCGA October Newsletter is now available
We are delighted to share the October issue of our Newsletter. In her editorial this month Catherine Wiley is reflecting on the last couple of months of the year and on the joy of our recent Ministry Seminar. There’s lots more news and features in this month’s issue which is available to view here. Please…
Read MoreRosary for the Family launched as part of Amoris Laetitia Family Year
A new resource on the Rosary has just been made available. The ‘Rosary for the Family’ was carefully created by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life as part of the ‘Amoris Laetitia Family Year’. This is one of a number of resources that the Dicastery is making available…
Read MoreOctober Ministry Resource now available
We are delighted to bring you our October Ministry Resource which is designed to be used by CGA Ministry Groups for meetings. It can also be shared with Grandparents in your parish as it has some brief snippets on resources of interest. Please feel free to download and share this resource. CGA October 2021 Ministry…
Read MoreSeptember Newsletter is hot off the press!
The arrival of September and harvest time signals a new season of the year and for many of us another season of back to routine after the long sunny Summer days spent on various family outings or adventures. Autumn also signifies a change. We see it in the colours around us on crisp September mornings.…
Read MoreReflections from the Grandparents’ Faith Café – Marilyn Henry
To Father Richard, míle buíochas for being with us today and especially for your support and encouragement of Catherine and the CGA through the years. Personally, I’m such a big fan of yours and I’ve been terrified of following you ever since Catherine asked me to present the reflection today on our theme for this Faith Café – Our…
Read More“Cultivate your roots, visit your grandparents; it will do you good.” – Pope Francis to young people
In a recent address to young people Pope Francis offered them some advice about their roots and their connection with Grandparents. The Holy Father was speaking to a gathering of young people in Lokomotiva Stadium on Tuesday 14 September as part of his visit to Slovakia. He said, “If you think about some of the…
Read MorePope Francis encourages participation in the Season of Creation 2021
Pope Francis has called on Catholics to take action for our common home during the Season of Creation which runs from 1 September – 4 October. In the Pope Video for the month of September, he encourages everyone to question the way we live, and to turn “towards lifestyles that are simpler and more respectful…
Read MoreCGA to welcome Rector of Knock Shrine as guest speaker for September Faith Café
The CGA is delighted to announce that Father Richard Gibbons will be guest speaker at our Grandparents’ Faith Café on Tuesday 14 September online via Zoom. Father Gibbons is a priest of the Archdiocese of Tuam and Parish Priest and Rector of Knock Shrine, Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. Father Gibbons is a native of…
Read MorePope Francis prays with Grandparents and the Elderly
The Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life on Friday released the video version of the prayer for the Catholic Church’s first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday 25 July in which Pope Francis himself prays with Grandparents and Elders from around the world. “I thank You, Lord, for the comfort…
Read MoreHomily of Archbishop Michael Neary for the National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine
In his homily for the National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, which also marked the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam said the elderly can be wonderful role models for the young as their attitude to God, Jesus, Our Lady and religious values are extremely formative. The Mass…
Read MoreWorld Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is the “ultimate gift” – Catherine Wiley
Earlier this morning, Sunday 25 July, Holy Mass was celebrated in St Peter’s Basilica to mark the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Among those present were those carrying out pastoral work supporting the elderly, as well as grandparents and their grandchildren. Grandparents, the elderly and the faithful were also able to obtain a…
Read MorePope Francis to grant Plenary Indulgence for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Pope Francis has granted a Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated on Sunday 25 July 2021 on the theme ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). The Indulgence is granted to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who participate “motivated by…
Read MoreCGA welcomes Pope Francis’ Message for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
The Vatican has today released Pope Francis’ message for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated on Sunday 25 July on the theme ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). Welcoming the message, Catherine Wiley, Founder of the Catholic Grandparents’ Association said, “We are overjoyed to read the wonderful…
Read MoreOur June Newsletter is now available!
The arrival of the month of June means we will soon mark the one month countdown to the first ever World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday 25 July. It also means that our June Newsletter is here! In this month’s issue we feature some additional new resources for the World Day for…
Read MoreA ‘Celebration of Grandparents’ at the July Faith Café
We are delighted to announce that our Patron, Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam, will be the guest speaker for our Grandparents’ Faith Café on Tuesday 13 July. Archbishop Neary will join us to be part of our celebration of Grandparents in the month in which we celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the…
Read MoreTwo months to go to the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Tuesday 25 May saw us mark the two month countdown to the celebration of the first ever World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday 25 July. We are so looking forward to celebrating this milestone event in the lives of Grandparents and Elders. It is a gift to us and to the Church…
Read MoreOur May Newsletter is now available!
May is the month of Mary. As I was reflecting on that this past week I was reminded of how often I have placed prayer intentions at her feet and implored her to bring them to Jesus. I am so grateful for the prayers that have gone to her and the blessings that have come…
Read MoreGrandparents’ Faith Café featured on RTÉ Radio 1’s ‘Leap of Faith’ programme
Catherine Wiley, Founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association, spoke to broadcaster Michael Comyn on his ‘Leap of Faith’ Radio Programme on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday 7 May. The ‘Leap of Faith’ is a programme for people of all faiths and none. Michael talks with those whose life experiences cause them to call on their beliefs, as…
Read MoreOfficial prayer and hashtag launched for the 10th World Meeting of Families
The Diocese of Rome and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life have launched the official prayer for the 10th World Meeting of Families to be held in Rome from 22 to 26 June 2022. The official hashtag has also been launched as #WMOF2022. The prayer, composed for the 10th World Meeting of Families, springs…
Read MoreJoin us for a cuppa at the May Grandparents’ Faith Café
The Grandparents’ Faith Café is a new initiative of the Catholic Grandparents Association which is taking place online once a month over Zoom. The Faith Café is a social and spiritual space for grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers and intentions and to just be together in the spirit…
Read MorePope’s Theme for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly announced
Sunday 25 July will see the celebration of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has today announced the theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s celebration, which is ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). This theme has been chosen as a way…
Read MoreCGA Newsletter for April is now available
April is always a season that feels hopeful and this year it arrived with a real sense of purpose for me. We celebrated Easter with its backdrop of blossoming Spring flowers in gardens and parks. Some of the Covid-19 restrictions have also been lifted and we are hopeful here in Ireland of a return in…
Read MoreMarch Newsletter just published
My Dearest Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Friends, We are keeping all of you and your loved ones in our prayers as our world is still being impacted by Covid-19. It has been a busy and productive month for the Catholic Grandparents Association and I am delighted to share our March newsletter with you on the day…
Read MoreCGA welcomes the launch of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia Family Year
Today is the day! Pope Francis’ Year of Reflection on the Family begins today – the Feast of Saint Joseph. The Catholic Grandparents Association looks forward to supporting this year and to journeying with families, especially Grandparents and the elderly, as we reflect on Pope Francis’ love letter to families – The Joy of Love…
Read MoreArchbishop Eamon Martin to be guest speaker at the April Faith Café
The Grandparents’ Faith Café is a new initiative of the Catholic Grandparents Association which is taking place online once a month over Zoom. The Faith Café is a social and spiritual space for grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers and intentions and to just be together in the spirit…
Read MoreCGA launches emblem for the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly
The Catholic Grandparents Association has created its own emblem for the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated for the first time on Sunday 25 July 2021. The image at the centre of the emblem features Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of Mary and Grandparents of Jesus. The image was…
Read MoreMinistry Resource for March 2021
The Ministry Resource Leaflet from the Catholic Grandparents Association is now available for March 2021. We invite you to share with your ministry groups, with parishes and with grandparents. Click here to download the resource leaflet: CGA March 2021 Ministry Resource
Read MoreJoin us for a cuppa this March at the Grandparents’ Faith Café
The Grandparents’ Faith Café is a new initiative of the Catholic Grandparents Association which is taking place online once a month over Zoom. The Faith Café is a social and spiritual space for grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers and intentions and to just be together in the spirit…
Read MoreNewsletter for February just published
My Dearest Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Friends, We are keeping all of you and your loved ones in our prayers as our world is still ravaged by Covid-19. It has been a busy and productive month for the Catholic Grandparents Association and I am delighted to share our February newsletter with you. Click below to download…
Read MoreJoin us at the February Faith Café with special guest Bishop Fintan Monahan
The Grandparents’ Faith Café is a new initiative of the Catholic Grandparents Association which is taking place online once a month over Zoom. The Faith Café is a social and spiritual space for grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers and intentions and to just be together in the spirit…
Read MoreLiving Christian Faith – Lenten Conversations at Knock Shrine
Ash Wednesday falls on 17 February this year and heralds the beginning of Lent 2021. This year Knock Shrine will host a new series of online discussions to help engage Christians during the Lenten Season on the theme of ‘Living Christian Faith – Lenten Conversations’. Chaired by Father Eamonn Conway, a priest of the Archdiocese…
Read MoreArchbishop Michael Neary welcomes the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly
Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam, has welcomed the announcement by Pope Francis of the establishment of a World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly Archbishop Neary said, “As patron of the Catholic Grandparents Association, I warmly welcome the Holy Father’s announcement of his decision to establish a World Day of Prayer for…
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