Passionist Family Groups

The Passionist Family Group Movement was founded by Fr Peter McGrath CP in 1972 in the (then) small parish of Terry Hills in Sydney, Australia. This small parish, gradually grew, and with it so did the Family Groups, and today Terry Hills has around 26 groups, involving about 350 families. 

The spread of the PFGM around Australia under the direction of the Passionists began slowly in 1982. By early 1992 they had spread to over 180 parishes in Australia. Today Passionist Family Groups can be found throughout Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A, U.K., Ireland and Scotland Passionist Family Groups began in New Zealand in June 1988. 

They are well established, with effective leaders across each diocese. Working with them is Templestowe based Fr Brian Traynor CP. Over many years he has worked with partners in developing healthy leadership models with the movement. 

In Passionist Family Groups the emphasis is on building relationships, so the groups are about 'being' rather than 'doing'. Each group is encouraged to get together once a month for a low cost or no cost activity. These gatherings allow people to get to know one another, and then in natural ways, group members begin to create bonds with others. With the building of bonds comes the opportunity to form friendships, have fun, extend acceptance and support, and quite simply and joyfully experience Christian life with others. The emphasis is on allowing everyone to be part of the 'family'. 

Passionist Family Groups support and encourage the life of the family as well as provide an important sense of belonging for many who have lost it, through death or breakdown. The motto is "A Family for All"