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
SIC: CIN/IE