Grandparents’ Faith Café to welcome Father Alan Hilliard on 9 May
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 9 May 2023 online via Zoom. The CGA is delighted to announce Father Alan Hilliard as guest speaker. He will speak on the theme of Sabbath. Father Alan Hilliard is a Catholic priest of Dublin Diocese. He taught for seven years in Ringsend VEC and spent time in parishes in Templeogue and…
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 MoreGrandparents’ Faith Cafe opening online on Thursday 16 March
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Thursday 16 March 2023 online via Zoom. The CGA is delighted to announce Father Bryan Shortall Ofm Cap as guest speaker. He will speak on the theme of the Stations of the Cross. Fr Bryan Shortall OFM Cap joined the Capuchin Order in 1987 and was ordained…
Read MoreGrandparents’ Faith Café to reflect on the Ministry of Healing
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Wednesday 15 February 2023 online via Zoom. The CGA is delighted to announce Sister Dervilla O’Donnell as guest speaker. She will speak on the theme of the Ministry of Healing. Sister Dervilla O’Donnell is a Medical Missionary of Mary. She is Healthcare Chaplain at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co…
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 MoreFirst Grandparents’ Faith Café of 2023 to take place on 10 January
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 10 January 2023. The CGA is delighted to announce Bishop Kevin Doran as guest speaker. He will speak on the theme of Grandparents as counter cultural influencers in the family. Bishop Kevin began his seminary formation at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe (1970-1974) and completed his preparation for ordination…
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 MoreIn November We Remember
Ní imithe uainn atá siad, ach imithe romhainn. They are not gone from us, but gone before us. Belief in the resurrection of the dead is an essential part of Christian revelation. It implies a particular understanding of the ineluctable mystery of death. Death is the end of our earthly life, but ‘not of our…
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 MoreAn invitation to attend the Grandparents Faith Café online on Tuesday 8 November 2022 with Father Liam Lawton
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 8 November 2022. The CGA is delighted to announce Father Liam Lawton as guest speaker. He will speak on the theme of Remembrance. Father Liam Lawton is well known in liturgical music circles. From Ireland, Liam has been composing music in the Celtic idiom for many years. Two of…
Read MoreBishop David Oakley to join the Grandparents’ Faith Café this month
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 11 October 2022. The CGA is delighted to announce Bishop David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton as guest speaker. He will speak on the theme: ‘Grandparents: Strong roots of faith in the family’. David James Oakley was born on 28th November, 1955 in Stourbridge. He is the eldest of five…
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 MoreGrandparents’ Faith Café to reflect on the Season of Creation in September
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 13 September 2022. The CGA is delighted to announce Vivek da Silva as guest speaker for September. He will speak on the theme of the Season of Creation. Vivek is an Assistant Professor in Religious Education in Dublin City University. From 2016 to 2021 he worked with Veritas…
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 MoreGrandparents’ Faith Café to welcome Archbishop Francis Duffy on Tuesday 19 July
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 19 July. The CGA is delighted to announce Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Patron of the Catholic Grandparents Association as guest speaker. Archbishop Duffy will reflect on the World Day for Grandparents the Elderly. Archbishop Francis Duffy was born on 21 April 1958 in the parish…
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 MoreGrandparents’ Faith Café to welcome Cardinal Wilfred Napier on Tuesday 14 June
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 14 June. The CGA is delighted to announce Cardinal Wilfred Napier as guest speaker. He will speak on the theme of “Strengthening the bridge of faith between the generations”. Born in the small midlands town of Matatliele on 8 March 1941, Wilfrid Fox Napier is one of seven…
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 MoreMay Faith Café to focus on the role of Grandparents in nurturing vocations
The Grandparents’ Faith Café will open again online on Tuesday 10 May. The CGA is delighted to announce Father Willie Purcell as guest speaker. Father Purcell will speak on the theme of ‘The role of Grandparents in nurturing vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life’. Father Willie Purcell is Parish Priest of Clara in the Diocese of Ossory in…
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
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…
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