The NZ Passionist Youth Retreat held at Camp Rangi Woods from Monday 9thto Thursday 12thJuly was attended by 22 youth.Super proud of these young people, firstly for taking the risk to attend the retreat, themed ‘Our story’ and secondly embracing the program 100 per cent. They each took time alone to reflect on their own lives, write […]

Left to Right Brian Traynor,  Nella O’Hara,  Pat O’Hara, Rob Hill, Lynn Hill,  MartinVanDeWetering, Sally VanDeWetering, Betty Henderson, John Henderson, Shelley Ward, Charlie Gribble, Maggie Gribble, Graham Ward and Paul Traynor. St Mary’s Paeroa celebrated 30 Years of PFGM in June with a Mass followed by a shared dinner, cutting of a special cake made […]

A large group of Passionist Companions and Passionist Youth from the Palmerston North Diocese recently attended the Passionist Institute held at the Home of Compassion Island Bay, Wellington. We were joined by fellow Passionist Companions from around New Zealand. The weekend was facilitated by Fr Brian Traynor CP and Fr Erick Niyiragira CP from Australia. […]

To all our Family Group Directors, Coordinators, leaders and family As our Holy Week begins, for our Passionist Family, this is truly a sacred time,  as it is of course for all who follow Christ.  But we Passionists always feel it is extra special for ourselves.  With Mary and John at the foot of the […]

Fr Peter McGrath CP –  As you may well know, Peter passed away, Saturday, March 3rd at 11.25am at the War Veterans’ Home, Tobruk Unit. Peter was 78 years old on his last birthday. Peter was 58 years professed and 53 years ordained. Peter’s passing was very gentle. For the last few weeks as Peter […]

Karen Lea Englebretsen celebrated the First Profession of ‘The Sisters of the Cross and Passion’ at St Paul Apostle Catholic Community, Endeavour Hills on Saturday 10th February.Bishop Charles Drennan from Palmerston North presided.Yes, we can claim Karen as our Kiwi girl!! And it was great to see others whom travelled over the ditch to be […]

At the Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival held on Dec 2nd/3rd the Passionist Charism was well represented.   Fr Erick and Br Luke from Australia were joined by Kiwis Pravin, Catharina, Awatea, Sam and Penelope to promoting all things Passionist:  Vocations, Passionist Family Groups, Passionist Youth and Young Adult retreats, Passionist Sisters, and Passionist Companions.  The […]

I’ve always had a bit of a sceptical eye when it came to saints and devotions to saints. I mean, my prayer life has never really included prayers to the saints asking for intercessions and all of that, nor have I really put much stock in the idea of saints themselves. I remember before I […]

Initial Reflection “Go now, you are sent!” We wanted to respond generally to the three areas (Accompany one another, Peripheries and Marriage and Families) even though we felt our primary focus was Marriage and Families. Our starting point is that Passionist Family Groups have a call to community, a being for others and so, to […]

Passionist Family Groups – St Mary’s Basilica Invercargill Recently the St Mary’s Parish celebrated a Passionist Family Group Mass with members from all groups taking part. Mary-Ellen and John Leen, part of the PFG National Directing team, along with the South Island Directors Murray and Aileen Straight were present at this celebration. Parish Coordinators Dot […]