[ back ] Gathering of the PFGM Directors 29April – 2 May 2005 Canberra, ACT  Australia Present:  Peter McGrath CP, Denis Travers CP, Mary Ingham, Barbara Lunnon, Maree & Bernard Metcalfe,                Chris & Tom Wilson, Mary & Dennis Morris and Gwen & Russ Winterscheidt. Apologies:  Brian Traynor CP, Lynn & Rob Hill and  John & Joan Broderick Out of this productive and positive gathering came the following - FUTURE STRATEGIES (For further information, contact the appropriate Directors) Encourage Family Groups in parishes to attend a Sunday Mass all together at least once a month, giving a visible sign of the Family Group involvement in the parish. Open Family Group dinner evenings with presenters and discussion on Spirituality, Community and Family Groups.     Example: Victorian Team Initiatives in recruitment of younger married couples with school/class Masses particularly on weekends in the parish.     Example: Milton NSW Parish Mass Retreat /Community building days for men/women.     Example: “Wellspring” QLD. Married couples/Solo parent Community Building weekends.     Example: Townsville QLD Aug 2005 Interfaith parish Family Groups.     Example: Victorian Team Development of Family Groups & Christian presence in Malls.     Example:  Coordinating Office Greater emphasis in 2006 on the International Passionist Family Group day    –  1st Sunday of May, annually.     Coordinating Office   Fr Peter McGrath chats with  Bishop Pat Powers, Auxiliary Bishop ACT Bishop Pat came to give encouragement and to stress that the life of the Church is found at grass roots level among the every day struggles, joys and sorrows of ordinary people. He said that the Family Groups were at the heart of our pilgrim Church.   All agreed that it was not just his words that motivated us. It was also his humble and warm presence, his evident compassion that touched our hearts and urged us on.   He is a living example of the truth.  In the human ‘ordinariness’ is the extraordinary.   PFGM Directors of Australian States gather in Canberra, ACT  for their annual meeting.   Back Row: L to R Denis Morris (ACT), Maree Metcalfe (VIC), Tom Wilson (SA), Fr Peter McGrath CP (Founder PFGM, Sydney), Russ Winterscheidt (QLD). Second Row: L to R Mary Morris (ACT), Chris Wilson (SA),   Denis Travers CP (Passionist Provincial Aust) Bernard Metcalfe (VIC) Front Row: L to R Mary Ingham (NSW), Guest Speaker, Bishop Pat Power (ACT),  Gwen Winterscheidt (QLD), Barbara Lunnon (Intl Office - Sydney)   2006 Directors’ Gathering - 5th - 7th May at Dee Why, NSW   World Wide PFGM website Our site has been changed just recently. Comments have been very positive about the ease to navigate through topics and links.  There is still some fine-tuning to be done.   Please, if you have any comments (positive or otherwise) let us know at the Coordinating office.   Also any stories/articles on Family Groups would be very welcome.   Peter McGrath CP Grace Cottage 56 Grace Ave Frenchs Forest  NSW Australia    2086     "We wish them well" Gwen & Russ Winterscheidt receiving a 'retiring' gift for their 20 years of volunteer service to the PFGM.     Mary Ingham, Gwen Winterscheidt, Fr Peter McGrath, Russ Winterscheidt       Provincial, Denis Travers, wrote to the Province “Last week in Canberra I was able to attend the annual meeting of the PFGM Directors. The meeting was supportive, realistic and reassuring. This year, Dennis and Mary Morris, assisted by local helpers, hosted the gathering. The meeting received reports from all sectors of the Movement and reviewed the hopes and goals of each of the Directors. The challenges that face the Movement are the challenges that face all Movements within the church today and in their quiet ways, each of the area Directors are responding with creativity and trust. Peter McGrath led a lovely Eucharist that paid fitting tribute to Gwen & Russ Winterscheidt who have retired from leadership in Queensland after some twenty years of loving service – well done Russ and Gwen.  We want to thank you both for all you have been to us and for us as leaders, as friends of the local community of Oxley and as members of our wider family, and are glad to note you will still be involved with your own Family Group. Next year the gathering will be in Sydney and it is hoped that our new Province Seminar area may be able to provide a venue for a part of the meeting.”