Latest News
Christmas 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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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’…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Read MoreApril Faith Café 2022 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…
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. …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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