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Celebrating International Family Group Day – 2nd May 2010

May 2, 2010

Throughout the world on this Sunday Family Groups gather in their parishes to put into practice their motto, “A Family for All” with the Eucharist followed by a feast for everyone. Family Groups began right here in the Broken Bay Diocese in 1972 in the tiny church, St. Anthony in the Fields, in rural Terrey Hills. Now part of the Frenchs Forest Parish. The intimate little community there, where people cared for each other, began to grow quickly. It was…

Report from the PFGM NSW Co-ordinators’ and Leaders’ Day 2010

March 7, 2010

An inspiring and ‘Spirit-filled’ day was enjoyed by over 80 Family Group Co-ordinators from parishes across NSW. Fr Peter McGrath, founder of the Passionist Family Group Movement, led this annual review at St. Anthony in the Fields where Family Groups began in 1972. A recent recruit to Fr Peter’s team, Peter Kennedy, added additional insights, support and direction to the development of the movement. So why was this day so special to me? It touched my heart. It renewed my…

Father Peter McGrath cp turns 70

August 17, 2009

It’s all in the fingers … Turning 70, there is no way I can count that many years on my fingers any more than I can count all the blessings that I have received over the years. I want to say a big Thank You to all of you who prayed for me, sent best wishes, came to our Mass and party and, in so doing, not only honoured yours truly but in particular my family and my beloved Mother…

Fr Peter McGrath visits St Joseph’s Passionist Family Groups

June 8, 2009

On a cold winter’s night, Monday June 8th, 2009, over 40 of St Joseph’s parishioners came to the supper room to meet Fr Peter McGrath the founder of the Passionist Family Group Movement. He is friendly, humble, gregarious, energetic, even outrageous but he touched our hearts and urged us to consider one simple request – how could any Christian ignore it? His question “will you support others in your parish?” With a classic back to the basics attitude he grouped…

The 50th Anniversary of Fr Peter’s Ordination

May 15, 2009

Fr Peter McGrath, who celebrated his 50th anniversary of Profession as a Passionist, wishes to convey the following sentiments and share this reflection: When Tony Egar and myself celebrated 40 years of Ordination at St. Anthony in the Fields, Terrey Hills, we both wrote very similar comments on a little book mark that was printed for the occasion. I would like to update that bookmark and instead of beginning with 40 years, now have 50 years. “Fifty years is a millimetre for…

Black Saturday Bushfires, Victoria, 2009

February 7, 2009

Green Leaves – Resurrection Hope Even while the terrible fires were still burning and great columns of ash and smoke were billowing into the sky, help was being offered from far away in Vermont USA. It’s amazing how human hearts are open by tragedy and grief. It’s as if it was Good Friday all over again. The loss and the devastation was conveyed across the world. So our Family Group Coordinator, Tammy White, from the First Congregational Church in Manchester,…

A Second Farewell for Fr. Tom McDonough

January 31, 2009

It seems only yesterday that our Passionist Pastor, Fr. Tom McDonough, was farewelled in a very fitting ceremonial style from St. Anthony’s. Can you believe that was some eight years ago? Who could ever forget his departure from the outdoor altar on his first razor scooter down the purpose build ramp into the midst of the congregation? With vestments flying and the scooter more than flying, he was well on his way, UNTIL the ramp ended and poor Tom’s new…

25th Anniversary of a Family Group

July 26, 2008

Amid a cool and slightly damp Sunday the spirit of Family Groups shone brightly at St Anthony’s on Sunday 26 July. The original Lunnon Family Group celebrated its 25th anniversary, attracting over 70 of its members from three generations. Original members, some of whom have moved on from the parish, children who grew up and are now making their own life, and recent additions in the shape of grandchildren, all responded to the call to gather, catch up and reminisce…

From The Monastery – to the Garden – to Grace Cottage

August 14, 2007

The following is Fr Peter’s version of how the Statue of Mary has come to rest at Grace Cottage. It was written from Grace Cottage on the Feast of the Assumption, 2007 by Peter McGrath. Please come and see the statue for yourself one day. The Dawsons have been at the very foundation stones of our Passionist Family Group Movement. While St. Anthony in the Fields, Terrey Hills was the tiny parish of origin, the Passionist Monastery at St. Ives was…

The First International Family Group Day

May 7, 2000

The idea of a special day for Family Groups came from the members in London, UK and jour our very first celebration day was on Sunday 7th of May 2000. Our Founder, Father Peter McGrath, and the NSW and INTL PFGM offices were then at the Passionist Monastery at St. Ives when Father Peter wrote to encourage parishes to bring all their people together to celebrate the Eucharist with Family Group members participating in the Liturgy. He suggested that during…