History was made last night when Westport set up the first parish branch of the newly-formed Catholic Grandparents Association.
The association, which has grown out of the popular National Grandparents Pilgrimages over the last three years, is now beginning the task of building branches around the country, and Westport was the first parish to formally establish a branch.
“This is an historic night, and hopefully in years to come it will be remembered fondly. The Catholic Grandparents Association seeks to support grandparents in every way it can, and also assist them in their very important role of passing on the faith to their grandchildren,” said association founder Catherine Wiley, who lives in nearby Murrisk.
The next meeting of the organisation will take place on Tuesday, November 10, in Carrowbeg House, beside St Mary’s Parish Church, at 7.30pm. All are welcome. The election of officers to lead the Westport branch will take place at this meeting.
“The process of building branches around the country will be a very exciting one for grandparents,” added Mrs Wiley. “We have had huge interest from all over Ireland, and the attendance of 14,000 at this year’s National Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock Shrine illustrates that grandparents are keen to come together to help transmit the faith.
“I have been getting a strong feeling of renewed hope from grandparents. They have been fearful about how the faith will be transmitted, but see hope in what is being done now with the Catholic Grandparents Association.”
The Castlebar branch of the Catholic Grandparents Association will be formed at a meeting in the Travellers’ Friend Hotel, Castlebar, on Tuesday, October 27, at 7pm. All are welcome. Further details are available on www.nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com
