The
20th Anniversary Commemoration of Passionist Family Groups in our Parish
"What a celebration we had last
Sunday for the 20th Anniversary of the Passionist Family Groups in our
Parish. It was wonderful to see so many Family Group members who
normally attend the Saturday 6 pm Mass were able to be with us, as well
as many people who had left the Parish, but are still involved in a
Family Group. The Mass was a celebration in which we tried to
involve as many people as possible. The personal testaments from
individuals involved in Family Groups was very moving. People
mingled over morning tea as well as over the photographs displayed and
many friendships were renewed. The invitation is always open
for anyone who is interested and would like to join a Family Group -
just fill in the form out on the entrance table or speak to Pauline or
John Kenny or Wendy or Gordon Williams after Mass."
20th
ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSIONIST FAMILY GROUPS IN OUR PARISH
“All Parishioners are invited to celebrate the
“20th
ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSIONIST FAMILY GROUPS” in our Parish – next Sunday 25th September at the 9.30 am Parish Mass. Morning Tea will be
supplied by the Parish Family Groups following Mass. Photographs of
our many Family Group functions over the years will be on display.
Any
parishioner (single, married, separated, divorced, widowed) who would like
to join a Family Group, please contact Pauline or John Kenny on 8272 9141.
All would be most welcome.”
Edwardstown
Parish Family Group coordinators and members attended
the annual formation at the Monastery recently. The theme of the day was Discovering
an Australian Spirituality,
and we were beautifully led by Fr Kevin Hennessy CP.
We
came away with a renewed sense of the importance of listening – to the
landscape, nature, others, ourselves and to the word of God speaking to us
in the ordinary and everyday. We were encouraged to share what we heard
others say about Australian spirituality (it was really hard to put our
own ‘brilliant’ thoughts aside!!). Enlightening!!
Fr
Kevin described growing up with 2 profoundly deaf parents as a privilege.
He demonstrated in sign how spirituality comes from the joining of the
head and the gut over the heart, and is evident in the love of God and
self. Our Mass at the close of the day drew all the threads together, and
was a fitting finale for a wonderful day, which included a silent walk
among the beautiful Sacred Garden – a highlight for me!.
The Williams Family Group
is travelling to Goolwa on a
weekend for a ride on the Cockle Train – some members are meeting us for
coffee after the trip. We are hoping for a repeat of some of the recent
lovely spring days, and do hope we will hear those immortal
words:”Tickets please”!!
If
anyone is interested in joining any of the Family Group functions please
contact Pauline and John Kenny (8272 9141) or j pkenny8@bigpond.com
KENNY
FAMILY GROUP
On the weekend of 16th-17th, the Kenny
Family Group spent the weekend at St Martin's By the Sea. One of the major
highlights on Saturday was a wonderful long walk together along the beach
with blue sky and water and bright sunshine which lasted the whole day.
Other highlights were sharing cooking together, playing board games, table
tennis and a game of Monopoly between one of the adults and young people
went for on for several hours. We attended Mass on Saturday evening
at Noarlunga parish, where we were warmly welcomed by Fr Charlie
Gauci. A memorable time was had by all!
The
Williams Passionist Family Group are looking forward to a fun year
this year and have planned some great functions. We are looking forward to
a tennis picnic at Belair, a train ride (tickets please!), dolphins,
football and a games nights, as well as the shared meals and then Carols
to finish off the year.
We
are all very sad to hear that St Martin's at Port Noarlunga will not be
available to Family Groups from early next year, so we hope to go twice
this year to store up some of the fantastic energy, that is generated by
our "Weekends Away at Port Noarlunga".
Anyone
is welcome to join us at any of these functions - please leave your name
and address at the Parish Office and we would be delighted to get in touch
with you.
Australia Day
honour for Fr Peter McGrath CP
Congratulations
to Fr Peter McGrath CP who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia
in the January 26 Honours List.
The
following appeared in ‘The Age’ Newspaper under ‘Medal (OAM) General
Division:
“The Reverend Father Peter Martin McGRATH,
Frenchs Forest New South Wales. For service to the community through
the Catholic Church.”
Fr
Peter CP is
a former Provincial of the Province of the Holy Spirit but is best known
as the Founder of the Passionist Family Group Movement which now
operates under his continued directorship extensively in Australia, New
Zealand, the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. He was professed a
Passionist on the 26th January 1959 and was
ordained a Passionist Priest on 11th July 1964. He has been a
Volunteer Chaplain to the NSW Rural Fire Service since 1972.
- Congratulations and best wishes Fr Peter CP OAM.
Fr
Peter McGrath CP was
also moved to assist the flood victims in Queensland where he said many
in our Passionist Family Groups were suffering trauma. ‘I wanted
to personally offer any help in whatever way possible.’ So, Along
with Gwen
& Russ Winterscheidt
who
lead the Queensland Family Groups, Fr Peter and Lisa, a fellow PFGM
Counsellor, developed the idea of making ’Baskets of Hope’
to
help families affected by the floods.
Similar
to Christmas Hampers, but with the personal touch of ‘family to
family’, the group invaded Coles and made up two baskets complete with
cleaning essentials and other household items, including surprises for the
family.
Fr
Peter CP reported
that ‘on Saturday we took one of the Baskets of Hope to the local Family
Group parish of All Saints at Albany Creek, where Fr Ron Mollisonn warmly
welcomed Gwen and Russ who are new to this parish. Gwen spoke so
effectively and lovingly at all the Masses with the Basket of Hope in
front of her before the Lectern.’
The
response from the hearts of the people was astounding. By the 5pm Sunday
Mass, there were 31 large laundry baskets around the altar, full of
practical goodies and little surprises such as perfume, chocolates and
toys for the children. Teddy bears appeared in abundance!
(Extracted from Holy
Cross Passionist Family Newsletter)
Jan/Feb 2011
