Catholic Grandparents Association opens new office in Knock

The Catholic Grandparents Association recently announced that they have opened a new office at Our Lay's Basilica, Knock in County Mayo.  

Speaking at the opening of the new office in Knock Association President Maire Printer said, “This will afford us the opportunity to welcome pilgrims from all over the world.  We are really looking forward to telling people about the unique vocation of grandparents.  We are therefore encouraging people to call in to see us during their visit to Knock.”

Her words were echoed by Association founder Catherine Wiley who said, “The only job grandparents never retire from is passing on the faith.  Grandparents have no agenda.  They only want what is best for their grandchildren.” 

The Association was officially launched at Knock Shrine in 2009 by the Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Seán Brady.  

It was set up by Catherine Wiley, who herself has ten grandchildren, to honour Saints Joachim and Anne, who were the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus, and to provide supports to grandparents passing on the faith and to keep prayer at the heart of family life. 

This is done through grandparents pilgrimages.  

These will take place at Aylesford on July 16, Walsingham July 23, Carfin in Scotland on August 21, Knock on September 11tand Palm Beach USA on October 22

Each pilgrimage is been supported by a children’s prayer appeal where schoolchildren are invited to write prayers for their grandparents. 

These prayers are they read out during the offertory procession of the Mass.

Source