PASSIONIST FAMILY GROUPS

 

A BRIEF HISTORY

 

The Passionist Family Group Movement began in 1973 in the parish of St Anthony of the Fields, Terry Hills, Sydney, as a practical response to the needs of the parish. It was nine years before they branched out and a lot of learning was done in that time. Other Australian parishes became involved in the mid-late 1980’s

The movement spread to New Zealand in 1988 starting three new parishes that year.

By 2002 there were over 400 parishes (100 of them in New Zealand)

 

AIMS AND GOALS

 

The aim of Passionist Family Groups is to model themselves on the early Christians (Acts 2:44-47) and to promote community within the parish, by sharing Christian life and supporting one another especially in times of need.

 

WHAT IS A FAMILY GROUP?

 

A Family Group is made up of 8-15 families. Of those families some may be a single parent, some single or widowed, maybe a non catholic partner, and some whose children have left home. The group will normally have 18-20 adults and a number of children.

 

IS THERE A SPIRITUAL DIMENSION?

 

Some people who struggle with this question try to separate social from spiritual

Obviously the acts of kindness, the personal concern have a vital spiritual basis which reflects the gospel call to act

Family Groups see their priority as living faith in practical day to day ways.

 

HOW DOES A GROUP FUNCTION?

 

The groups normally meet monthly. Their activities include picnics, barbecues, pot luck dinners, games nights etc. The emphasis is on low cost or no cost functions.

Planning meetings to arrange these functions are normally held six or twelve monthly and involve a mix of adult and child activities. It is important to remember when planning these functions that they are really only a means to an end. They are an opportunity to spend ‘quality ‘time together as ‘family’, to share our lives and care for one another.

 

PASSIONIST FAMILY GROUPS IN ST THOMAS MORE

 

Passionist Family groups are alive and well in our parish.

They began in 1900 with nine groups and we will soon celebrate our 16th anniversary.

                                    NEED TO KNOW MORE?

 

             CONTACT    ANNETTE O’SULLIVAN  415 2456

 

                                   www.passionistfamily.org.nz