Catholic grandfathers and grandmothers throughout Ireland will next week establish an historic new national organisation of grandparents, thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, with Mayo grandmother Catherine Wiley, the driving force behind the Catholic Grandparents’ Association.
Over 10,000 people are expected to attend its launch on Sunday September 13 in Knock Shrine. “For the last two years we have run pilgrimages for grandparents to Knock Shrine, and we began to realise there was a glaring need for a grandparents organisation,” said Ms Wiley.
The association will be formed at parish level around the country. Membership will be €20 per year, which will help to cover the cost of newsletters, the annual pilgrimage, and other events.
This year’s National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage takes place along with the association launch and the Chief Celebrant and Homilist will be the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady.
