[back]

From the pen of Fr Peter Rankin S.D.B....
Parish Priest, St John Bosco Parish, Engadine

Following a Retreat/Mission by two Passionist priests, Frs Steve McGarry and Brian Traynor in 1985, Fr Peter McGrath came to St John Bosco Parish, Engadine to assist in the setting up of Passionist Family Groups.

On Saturday 12 November, 2005 to mark the 20th Anniversary of Family Groups in our Parish Fr Peter McGrath was invited to preach on this special occasion. His humour, his passion, his love for people was again most evident.

Following Mass about 200 people involved in Family Groups had dinner together in the St John Bosco College Hall. The leaders of the two newly formed Family Groups, Donna and Ross Mansfield and Lisa and Glenn Moore were invited to cut the anniversary cake to mark the occasion.

The Passionist Family Groups have been a wonderful asset to the parish of St John Bosco. Formed in 1985 they helped people to meet other people. They broke down barriers. A family has been described as a domestic Church, we could extend the analogy and say our Passionist Family Groups have been a Church within a Church. The Church is the Body of Christ. To quote St Augustine "we receive the Body of Christ to be the Body  of Christ."

Recently I visited a parishioner in hospital who had a heart attack. His main support network after his immediate blood family was the family group he belonged to. Belonging is a fundamental human need.

One family with a special daughter who was fast becoming adult in ag, found a deep sense of belonging in their Family Group. The daughter looks forward to the various get-to-togethers and outings and talks so much about them afterwards.

Family Groups have been enormously helpful for new parishioners who want to meet other people in the parish. These groups connect people with each other. One of the other strengths of the Family Groups is their inclusive nature. Whether single, divorced, large, small, old or young, there is a place for all kinds of individuals and families within the Family Group structure.

	New young families joining Family Groups
	Original Family Group members of 20 years ago
	Celebration Cake
	Fr Peter Rankin Parish Priest, St John Bosco, Engadine Fr Peter McGrath cp- Founder  Passionist Family Group Movement Caroline and Ed Marsh Co-ordinators at Engadine