International Family Group Day

International Family Groups Day at Terrey Hills by Joe Tessoriero

On a bright and fresh Sunday morning the parishioners of Terry Hills celebrated International Family Groups Day in some traditional and novel ways.  Mary Ingham welcomed all present and asked those who were in a family group to be up-standing. What a heart-warming feeling, to be joined with about 90% of the nearly-full church, standing as one large, extended family group as Mass was about to begin.

Traditional family group songs with messages of ‘welcoming all’ and to ‘love one another’ stirred the congregation to raise their voices and celebrate a wonderful movement that has been adopted on three continents.

A delicious Family Group Anniversary cake, decorated with the words ‘Congratulations Family Groups’ atop the  icing, and symbolically  framed  with walnuts, was shared by the many who stayed for a catch up after mass. Also, special thanks to the Carroll – Munro Family Group who hosted the morning tea with a variety of sweet sensations to share.

Thank you to everyone for supporting the annual cake stall. The money raised helps the ongoing work of the Family Group office. 

After nearly 40 years of Family Groups at Terrey Hills the rich and lasting friendships and care for one another was apparent for all to see.  There were a countless number of shared stories of people who had gathered to acknowledge the many blessings that family groups have brought into their lives.

NSW Coordinators Day February 2013

NSW PASSIONIST FAMILY GROUP MOVEMENT

58 GRACE AVE, FRENCHS FOREST 2086

Tel. (02) 9451 4795 w; (02) 9451 0695 h.

e-mail:       mary.ingham@pfgm.org

Mary Ingham NSW  Director

PFGM 2013 Coordinators and Leaders Day

17^th February, 2013

Mary Ingham welcomed all to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance particularly those that had travelled a long way.

Peter Kennedy also welcomed all to the meeting. Peter then played a power point presentation entitled “Earth Message” and asked the meeting to form small groups to discuss the impact of the “Earth Message” on themselves personally and then as applies to Family Groups (“FG’s”).

After a short time the small groups again came together and shared their similar personal responses as follows:

·        Makes you realize who lucky we all are to live in Australia.

·        People don’t want to share

·        We have a real sense of privilege

·        Lack of Education

·        Pressure of consumerism

The groups then shared their response of how the message related to their Family Group:

·        Extend ourselves as a community

·        Help those in need

·        Have a sense of mission

·        Make connections with other groups (in Australia and Overseas)

Father Peter McGrath welcomed Brad and Bernadette from Menai who had just arrived after a long 3 hour drive.

Catherine Boulton gave a report on the questionnaire that had been recently been sent to Coordinators and Leaders for their feed back regarding the operating of their Family Groups.

Again, the meeting broke into small groups to discuss the questions raised in more detail. The groups came back together to discuss their concerns and suggestions.

Most people acknowledged the benefits of having FG’s, many of which had been running for 25 years plus and still going but realized that if we did nothing at all to maintain the Groups they will die out.

Many of the groups said that the amalgamation of the parishes across the board was making communicating with other FG’s difficult. There were also difficulties with leadership, recruitment and support.

It was acknowledged that the FG’s were spreading Christ’s message everyday by “walking the talk” and that many FG’s were very welcoming of Non-Catholic partners and friends.

Many of the groups expressed concerns regarding the involvement and support of the Parish Priest (“PP”) in their FG’s and whether the PP was perhaps too busy to involve themselves with the running of the FG’s. It was suggested that the Coordinators could make more of any effort to liaise with their PP.

Many expressed concern at the dwindling numbers of people available for leadership roles. After much discussion suggestions were made as follows:

·        Convene meeting’s and make sure they are held regularly (could be every couple of months).

·        Share the responsibility

·        Put your hand up and just do it (its not that hard)

·        NSW Office representatives to come to meetings when invited

·        Staying connected is vital (pick up the phone).

The meeting broke for lunch and was very grateful for all the tasty treats the FG’s had generously provided.

After lunch Margaret and Paul Casey ran an insightful exercise on gaining New Vision and the stumbling blocks we all come across in life and how we overcome them.

Catherine spoke to the meeting regarding a gathering held at Grace Cottage recently with members of the younger generation and what their needs and hopes with regards to FG’s might be. Catherine advised that there would be further get togethers to see where this may lead.

Peter Kennedy showed a video clip on acceptance.

Fr. Peter spoke regarding his work with FG’s in US prisons.

Pat Clarke advised that she was starting a new small support group of people with ailing partners.

Judy May spoke of the Tough Love group which supports parent’s with difficult children, for one reason or another.

The meeting then sang together “Hello My God” as a closing prayer.

Fr. Peter thanked all who attended especially the helpers and all those who brought morning tea and lunch.

Catherine Boulton, PFGM NSW Office

23^rd February, 2013