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Gathering of the Australian and New Zealand

PFGM Directors,  May 5- 8, 2006

Dee Why, Sydney, Australia

Written by:  Fr Denis Travers cp, Provincial,  Provincial Office,  Marrickville,  Sydney,  NSW


 

Fr Peter McGrath, Founder 
Front Row (2nd from left) 
Fr Denis Travers, Provincial 
Back Row, (2nd from right) 
 with the Directors and other Passionists
.

NZ Directors
North Island: Lynn & Rob Hill
South Island: Murray & Aileen Straight


The area Directors from Australia and New Zealand all met at Dee Why, Sydney, for their Annual gathering. During this meeting the Directors were also able to attend the Sharing the Spirit seminar at Marrickville and their presence was most valuable and welcome. This weekend was also an opportunity for us to welcome new directors - Joan and John Broderick who are now looking after Queensland, Carol and Norm Heyhorn who are attending to Lismore and northern NSW and Aileen and Murray Straight who are co-ordinating the South Island of New Zealand.

The weekend was a most encouraging and supportive time for all. The meeting itself was led by Peter McGrath and wonderfully catered for, and supported by, a dedicated team of volunteers organised by Mary Ingham and her team. All the Directors tabled their reports and highlighted the developments, new strategies and challenges that face each Area. In the general sharing sessions some of the key issues concerned the implementation where possible of Passionist Family Groups in the school system, the encouragement of younger families to join the Movement, the possibility of the many people who have had long association with us being encouraged to join the Passionist Companions and to look at the Passion of Jesus and its implications upon our present ministry.

Our thanks too, go out to Barbara Lunnon who co-ordinated and organised many details concerning this meeting and liaised with Christine Smith and our own Provincial Office so that the Sharing the Spirit Seminar could be incorporated in the Directors meeting so smoothly.