Rosary 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 MoreCGA to welcome Julia Dezelski from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to its October Faith Café
The CGA is delighted to announce Mrs Julia Dezelski as guest speaker for the Grandparents’ Faith Café on Tuesday 12 October online via Zoom. Julia is Assistant Director for Marriage and Family Life, Laity at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In her role, Julia assists the US Catholic Bishops in advancing the vocation and…
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 MoreJohn Michael Talbot announced as guest speaker for August Grandparents’ Faith Café
The Catholic Grandparents Association has today announced that John Michael Talbot will be the guest speaker at the August gathering of the Grandparents’ Faith Café on Tuesday 10 August online via Zoom. John Michael Talbot is a multi-platinum selling, Grammy/Dove award winning contemporary Catholic Christian Music pioneer. His music has been the soundtrack to the faith…
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 MorePlant a Tree in their Memory on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
As part of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the CGA is inviting families and parishes to ‘Plant a Tree in their Memory’ on Sunday 24 July 2022. By planting this tree, families and parishes have a chance to remember all those Grandparents and Elders, including elderly priests and religious, who have passed…
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 MoreJoin us for our Grandparents’ Faith Café in June
We are delighted to announce Peggy Stanton as the guest speaker for our Grandparents’ Faith Café on Tuesday 8 June. She will join our monthly Faith Café on Zoom to speak on the theme ‘The Amazing Grace of Grandparents in the Family’. Peggy Stanton is a news correspondent, author, illustrator and painter, who served ABC-TV…
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 MoreReflections from the Faith Café – Deacon Ken Henry
Deacon Ken Henry offered a reflection at the April Grandparents’ Faith Café on the theme of Grandparents as Faith Connectors. You can read his reflection here: When I’m bragging on my grandchildren, I like to say that they’re so much fun, we should have had them first. But with eleven of them, that doesn’t mean…
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 MoreWorld Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – Additional Promotional Resources
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Read MoreBook of Remembrance
With the upcoming celebration of the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on 24 July 2022, we wanted to offer a way for parishes to reach out to families who have lost loved ones, particularly grandparents, in the past few years. While the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is a celebration,…
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 MoreThe story of the CGA and the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly
The Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) was founded by Catherine Wiley in 2001. Catherine’s interest in Grandparents – their unique and increasingly important position in family life – dates, unsurprisingly, from the time, when she and her husband, Stewart, became Grandparents themselves. Catherine Wiley and her husband had brought up their children in their family home…
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…
Read MoreNew Ministry Resource Leaflet
Welcome to the new Ministry Resource Leaflet from the Catholic Grandparents Association. These are short and sweet snippets to resource you and your ministry group which will be published monthly and which we invite you to share with your ministry groups, with parishes and with grandparents. Click here to download the resource leaflet: CGA Ministry…
Read MoreReflections from the Grandparents’ Faith Café – Fr Bryan Shortall OFM Cap
The Catholic Grandparents’ Faith Café met virtually via Zoom on Tuesday 15 January. Grandparents and friends from across the world joined us to connect with each other and to listen to the reflections. Fr Bryan Shortall, OFM Cap, Parish Priest of Priorswood Parish in the Archdiocese of Dubin, was the guest speaker at this month’s…
Read MoreJanuary Newsletter is available now
My Dearest Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Friends, New Year Blessings to all of you from myself and from all of us in the Catholic Grandparents Association. We are keeping all of you and your loved ones in our prayers as our world is still ravaged by Covid-19. Despite all the restrictions it has been a…
Read More‘Amoris Laetitia Family’ – A special year to bear witness to family love
On 19 March 2021, the fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia, on the joy and beauty of familial love, Pope Francis will inaugurate the Year “Amoris Laetitia Family,” which will conclude on 26 June 2022 on the occasion of the X World Meeting of Families in Rome. The Holy Father will be present…
Read MoreAn invitation to the Grandparents’ Faith Café on Tuesday 12 January
The Faith Café is a new initiative of the Catholic Grandparents Association which is taking place online once a month over Zoom. Launching the initiative last December, Catherine Wiley, Founder of the CGA said, “If the pandemic has taught us anything it has taught us how much we have missed being together in family gatherings,…
Read MoreCatholic Grandparents on a Mission to share Faith with their grandkids
This is an article by Carlos Briceño from the diocesan magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois. You can also listen to a podcast interview with Colleen here To understand members of the Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) and what their mission is, all you have to do is hear what happens at the…
Read MoreDecember Newsletter
My Dearest Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Friends, We are keeping all of you and your loved ones in our prayers at this difficult time for so many people who are dealing with many new and different challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite all the restrictions of a global pandemic, it has been a busy…
Read MoreReflections from the Grandparents’ Faith Café – Bishop Denis Nulty
Bishop Denis Nulty was the guest speaker at the December 2020 Grandparents’ Faith Café. You can read his reflection here: One of our diocesan team who became a grandparent for the fourth time recently shared with me: “As a grandparent four times I can honestly that each time is different. The personality of the little…
Read MoreBambinelli Sunday at Home
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 the family Nativity scene to Mass for a blessing. The Catholic Grandparents Association has been encouraging families to take part…
Read MoreShare #AGiftOfWisdom with young people this Christmas
“Dear young people,” wrote Pope Francis on the occasion of the 32nd World Youth Day, “you need the wisdom and the vision of the elderly. […] They will speak to you of things that can thrill your minds and fill your hearts”. We are approaching Christmas, when Jesus is born within our families. This year,…
Read MoreBishop Denis Nulty to host the first Grandparents’ Faith Café
Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, and Chair of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family, will be the guest host of the first ever Grandparents’ Faith Cafe on Tuesday 15 December. The Faith Café is a new initiative of the Catholic Grandparents Association which will take place online once…
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