Passionist Family Group Movement
From the desk of Fr. Ignatius Waters, cp
Sunday, 21st October 2018
This week, Yvonne Gray remembers Fr. Peter McGrath and the setting up of the Family Group Movement in Mount Argus Parish. Yvonne and her husband Hugh were the first Co-ordinators here of this, as she says, “simple yet powerful” movement.
“Last March we heard of the death of our good friend, Fr. Peter McGrath, a Passionist priest from Australia and founder of the Passionist Family Group Movement.
Fr. Peter ‘whirled’ into our parish early in 1998. He was full of life and enthusiasm and had come to introduce us to the idea of Family Groups. The idea behind Family Groups is to develop a sense of community in a parish by enabling people to get to know each other and so give people a sense of belonging. The idea is simple yet powerful.
In family groups, people begin to talk to one another, and once people get to know one another, we find ourselves caring for one another and once we start caring, we are forming Christian community.
Family Groups are like an extended family and are open to everyone; young, old, widowed, single people and families. In Family Groups there are no criteria for joining, just the desire to be part of the group – we come as we are because that’s how God loves us – just how we are. All that is asked is that we care for one another.
Following Fr. Peter’s initial visit, the idea was quickly taken on board in Mount Argus. We formed Family Groups of our own and soon the faces of people around us had names; we became friends…. and our parish grew more vibrant.
Fr. Peter returned to us a number of times in the intervening years, always full of good humour and enthusiasm. He fanned the flames of our Family Groups and, twenty years later, Family Groups are still active in Mount Argus, a true testament to the wonderful legacy he has left us.
Fr. Peter was a man of vision, and, as we remember him today; we hope that in faithfulness to the founding spirit and ideals, our Family Groups may continue to promote love, sharing and hospitality in our parish and that we may be blessed with new members.Fr. Peter died on the 3rd March 2018. His legacy continues, and for this we will be forever grateful for it has brought life and joy to many people in our parish. May he rest in peace.”
(If you wish to receive information about joining a Family Group, please leave your name and contact details at monastery reception for attention of Family Groups.)