|
A Brief History
The Passionist Family Group Movement was founded by Fr. Peter McGrath C.P. in a small parish in Sydney Australia in 1973. Family Groups were formed to keep the community alive and as more people came to the parish, the creation of more Family Groups became a vital strategy for building community.
Family Groups were first formed in Mount Argus parish in 1998 . There are currently 8 groups in the parish .
What are the Aims of the Family Group Movement ?
Ø To get to know other members of the Parish.
Ø To support one another, to share each others’ joys and sorrows and so
build the Christian Community.
Ø To involve children in Christian sharing directly, if possible. If not, then indirectly by our example.
The Emblem
The Passionist Family Group sign or logo was created by Family Group members in 1983. The heart and the people symbolise a willingness to deepen Christian love and acceptance of others. The people in the sign are of a variety of ages (grandparent to baby). Since the cross is very much within people’s lives, it is the centre of the sign.
Our motto is that Family Groups are ‘A Family for All’. This reinforces the practical reality that all members of the community are welcome to belong.
Coffee Mornings
Once a month the Family Groups host a coffee morning after the
Sunday 11.00 o’clock mass in the St. Charles Centre. We would like to extend an invitation to anyone in the parish to come along. It doesn’t matter if you are not in a Family Group - just come along and enjoy a cuppa and a chat.
Coffee mornings are held on the last Sunday of every month between September and May. The forthcoming schedule for coffee mornings is set out below.
Family Groups Coffee Mornings 2007/8
|
Sunday 25th November 2007
|
Kearns Group |
|
Sunday 16th December 2007
|
O’Brien Group |
|
Sunday 27th January 2008
|
Lavelle / Byrne Group |
|
Sunday 24th February 2008
|
Dunne Group |
|
Sunday 30 March 2008
|
Walsh Group |
|
Sunday 27th April 2008
|
Egan Group |
|
Sunday 25th May 2008
|
McPhillips Group |
Everyone is Welcome
What Happens in a Family Group?
Family Groups include people from a wide age range just like an extended family. Each group comes together about once a month for a simple activity such as sharing a meal, a simple picnic, a walk in the park or sharing a cup of tea in a members house. The emphasis is on low cost or no cost.
By sharing time together supportive relationships can develop. The bonds that develop the feelings of belonging create a sense of responsibility for one another, just like a family !
Links
www.pfgm.org
|
Family Groups