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125 Years of the Passionists in Australia

November 17, 2012

On Saturday 17 November 2012, members of several Family Groups from the Frenchs Forest Catholic Parish journeyed to St. Brigid’s for celebrations of 125 years since the arrival of the Passionists at Marrickville. The afternoon commenced with a Mass at 2.00 pm, which encompassed a portrayal of the Passionists’ work with a large variety of people from various backgrounds and cultures. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Joachim Rego cp, the newly elected Superior General of the Passionist Order, assisted by St.…

The Benefits of Belonging to a Family Group

April 26, 2012

Dearest Fr Peter, Where do I start???? I didn’t realise the impact that our presence at the change of leadership handover last night would have on everyone. It really is a special moment when you can feel so loved and welcomed amongst a group of people who you haven’t seen for a few years but have come to know as your ‘extended’ family. I must thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful Family Group all those…

St. Patrick’s at St. Bernadette’s

March 17, 2012

On St. Patrick’s Day, there are only two types of people in the world – those who are Irish and those who want to be. At St. Bernadette’s at Castle Hill, this time-honoured day of celebrating our Irish heritage, customs and culture represented an opportunity by the Family Groups both to foster Parish community and to raise funds for Fr. Peter and his staff at French’s Forest. On 17 March 2012, over 130 people gathered in the parish hall to…

Report from the PFGM NSW Co-ordinators’ and Leaders’ Day 2012

March 1, 2012

We had a lovely sunny day for the annual meeting of our motivational day for leaders, mainly from the PFGM Sydney area, as this was the first time it was held at Grace Cottage, our PFGM home in Frenchs Forest . The day started with an inspiring Morning Prayer service, run by the wonderful Marg and Paul Casey, from Callala Bay. Each year they surprise us with their innovative thinking. Mary Ingham welcomed all the people, starting with Ron and…

Christmas 2011

December 20, 2011

You could easily say that I am one-eyed! Well, that eye is on you and it’s an eye of gratitude and love. It certainly doesn’t stop me from wishing you a very happy and blessed Christmas. With Santa busily working over my shoulder, what else could a
man say?

When the dream becomes the reality

November 2, 2011

Occasionally you meet someone with a dynamic personality whose memory lives through what they can inspire, when the dream becomes the reality.

Such a person is Fr. Peter McGrath, an Australian Priest, who has had an amazing impact in St. Wilfrid’s School and Parish recently. Rarely have I experienced so much spontaneous joy and laughter, especially in the Church, shedding new light on aspects of God’s love, and raising our awareness for the need of friendship, support and love in tparish. Through his wealth of stories and anecdotes he enkindled a new desire for love and belonging.

10th Anniversary of 9/11

September 11, 2011

As we all remembered the tragedy of 9/11 ten years ago, Father Peter McGrath was celebrating a Mass of Remembrance in Auburn, Maine USA with the parish of St. Phillips where their 7 Family Groups were celebrating 15 years. Fr. Roger Chabot, Pastor when Family Groups were first started but now retired, returned to take part in the Mass and the following celebration. Also, Chief Dan Daly was giving a heart rending presentation in Dublin to remember the victims of…

Age of Miracles Has Returned

July 21, 2011

by Reporter Philip Grier
In a recent interview with Fr Peter McGrath CP, the worldwide head of the “Family Group Movement”, Fr McGrath excitedly informed this reporter that he is being inundated with phone calls, faxes, letters and emails from all round the world relating stories of miracles happening in the lives of many of the “Family Group” members.

The Secret to True Happiness?

April 11, 2011

The Passionist Family Group Movement May Have the Answer

In April 2011 the Office of National Statistics will ask the UK population to rate their own well-being in the first official Happiness Index. David Cameron’s £2 million plan to measure the nation’s happiness makes good an election pledge which promised a significant coalition investment in the quality of life as well as in economic growth. Speaking at the Google Zeitgeist Europe conference last year the Prime Minister said, “It’s time we admitted that there’s more to life than money and it’s time we focused not just on GDP but on GWP – general well being.”

A Weekend away at Gerrigong

March 29, 2011

Shirley & Ian Marnoch organised a weekend at Gerringong and members from several Family groups attended. The weather was not very good with some rain most days but no one seemed to care and with lots of chats, some hardy swimmers and a few outdoor games everyone was happy and “singing in the rain”. Kevin Roberts