The Vatican-appointed visitator to the Archdiocese of Tuam, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa, has praised the annual pilgrimage of Catholic grandparents to Knock, telling its organiser that “the pilgrimage was Ireland’s gift to the world.”
Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) founder, Catherine Wiley, who established the pilgrimage to Knock in 2007, disclosed Archbishop Prendergast’s comment as she welcomed the appointment of Máire Printer as the new president of the organisation.
Ms Printer, who is a retired teacher originally from Scotland, but now living in Westport, Co Mayo, was appointed president at the weekend, while disability rights campaigner and former Irish MEP, Kathy Sinnott, was elected as the organisation’s secretary.
“There is no doubt but that the Catholic Grandparents Association is here to stay and has a major contribution to make,” Ms Wiley said.
The CGA, which has branches in various parts of Ireland, has more branches in the pipeline for 2011, she said.
It recently established a branch in the USA.
One of the CGA’s aims is to highlight and celebrate the role played by grandparents in the lives of their grandchildren and society.
The organisation on Monday also announced Sunday, September 11 as the date for this year’s pilgrimage to Knock Shrine.
The event will feature a keynote address by Kathy Sinnott.
Priest-composer, Fr Liam Lawton and singer Dana will also perform during the one-day pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, this year’s CGA pilgrimage to Walsingham will take place on July 23 and will be led by Bishop Brian Noble, while another pilgrimage will take place at the Shrine of Our Lady, Aylesford, on July 16, led by Bishop John Hine.
Responding to her appointment, Máire Printer said she was “deeply honoured” and said she looked forward to continuing to “fan the flame” of the Association.
“Over 30,000 pilgrims have attended this pilgrimage over the past four years. A fire has been lit by grandparents in the Church,” Ms Printer said.
Speaking of the social context in which grandparents are increasingly playing a role due to necessity and longevity, she added, “Grandparents play key roles in society at a time of so much difficulty in terms of economic stresses and family breakdown. We are also passionate about transmitting the faith to our grandchildren. Since our first pilgrimage in 2007, we have gone from strength to strength, and I will take great pride in continuing to fan the flame we have started.”
Máire Printer explained that the shrine in Knock has become the “spiritual home” of the CGA and paid tribute to the Mayo shrine’s “special place” for Marian worship.
She added, “We are deeply indebted to Mgr Joe Quinn and Fr Richard Gibbons for all the support and encouragement they have given to us since our first Pilgrimage in 2007. We could not have reached this point without their assistance.”
The CGA patron is Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam.
For more information: www.CatholicGrandparentsAssociation.com
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