An inspirational 95-year-old great-grandfather, who became national news at the weekend by qualifying for the finals of a major international fishing competition, has been invited as a guest of honour at a special Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock Shrine.
Castlebar man Tom Ketterick shocked anglers many years his junior when he qualified for the finals of the World Cup Brown Trout competition on Lough Mask.
And now Tom, a regular Mass-goer, has been invited as a special guest to the third annual National Grandparents Pilgrimage, which is expected to attract a congregation of 10,000 people to Knock Shrine.
“Tom is an inspiration to so many grandparents and, indeed, great-grandparents. He was one of just 116 anglers to qualify for the finals from a total entry of 584,” said Catherine Wiley, also a native of Castlebar, who founded the pilgrimage.
“Since we established the National Grandparents Pilgrimage in 2007, we have learned so much about the vitality of grandparents all over Ireland.
“Grandparents play a crucial role in so many families. Our pilgrimage is all about empowering grandparents so that they become aware of how appreciated they are, and to give them the courage to continue fulfilling their vital function in the family.”
The chief celebrant and homilist at this year’s Pilgrimage will be the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady.
More details on the pilgrimage are available on NationalGrandparentsPilgrimage.com
