Regional Coordinators Weekend - Waihi Beach, 21-22 April 2004

The NZ Regional Co-ordinator Weekend was held at Waihi Beach on 21-22 April. 2007. Those attending: This year, the weekend signalled a new stage of the life of the PFGM in New Zealand. Rob and Lynn and Murray and Aileen have completed two years of their current term and were confirmed in their ministry. Rob and Lynn will continue to act as Directors for Wellington and Palmerston North until October. Their primary role as National Directors will be to represent the Movement nationally and support and assist the three Directors. Lynn will continue to be available as a resource in areas where this is needed. Clive and Frances Bleaken were commissioned as Directors for Auckland and Hamilton for four years by Passionist Fr Kevin Hennesssy representing the Provincial, Fr Denis Travers. In the same liturgy, Paul and Linda Darbyshire were commissioned as Directors for Wellington and Palmerston North and they will take up this role in October.

Back row: Kevin Hennessy CP, Paul Darbyshire, Murray Straight, Clive Bleaken, Brian Traynor CP
Front Row: Aileen Straight, Lynn Hill, Rob Hill, Frances Bleaken, Linda Darbyshire

Fr Kevin also commissioned those continuing or beginning two year terms as Regional Co-ordinators. John and Rosie Crawford (Auckland), Paul and Ellen Gavin (Hamilton), Preston and Jenny Epplett (Hawkes Bay), Patrick and Trish Morris (Taranaki), Terry and Rose Comber and John and Monica Hammond (Palmerson North), Richard and Sue Gibbs and John and Mary Ellen Leen (Wellington), John and Hilary Henderson (Dunedin) and Graeme and Chanel Wilson (Invercargill)

Throughout the weekend, facilitated by Fr Brian Traynor CP, those gathered considered issues the PFGM faces and ways to respond, while remembering those who have helped to shape where we are today. There was great fellowship and commitment evidenced. Many of those in key leadership roles are also Passionist Companions and through this Movement they strengthen, celebrate and share their spiritual lives as lay Passionists. They are keen that this spirit continue to animate the PFG which focuses on God being present and active in the ordinary lives and ordinary events of their lives, always particularly present in their times of struggle, sorrow and pain.

The PFGM is particularly keen to challenge the notion that that a Passionist Family Group is ‘just social’. Family groups are a vital way of creating parish community and within each group people learn to live and celebrate Christian life in a practical way, extending fellowship to whoever is allocated to their PFG, enjoying their relationships, supporting each other especially in times of need and always being prepared to reach out to include others.

Some notes from the weekend…. What inspires and encourages you?

• PFG life and ministry is a way of   living out Jesus call
• The PFG objectives (aims and goals)
• The Passionists, their charism,  community & music
• Being part of a wider (national and international) Movement
• Formation Weekends provide a recharge
• The ones who have gone before us
• Meeting people who walk and live ‘the talk’
• Hearing the stories
• Meeting with likeminded people who sharing the same values
• Experiencing PFGs working and supporting each other
• The depth of friendships we experience
• Seeing the benefits for individuals and the parish community
• Seeing people ‘manage’ what they think they can’t
• Receiving more through giving
• Experiencing the enthusiasm of others
• Recognising there is so much opportunity
• PFG commitment to family in a world trying to break ‘family’ down
• Having guidelines but not rules
• Acceptance

Summary

The PFG life and ministry is a way of living out Jesus’ call, encouraging the individual in the context of community, to celebrate life, to share their giftedness and to offer support in times of need. We are resourced and encouraged by formation times, by hearing the stories, by the example of those of the past and those in the present with whom we join hearts in Christian friendship and Christian values