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| Family Groups Pilot Project |
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"I can't praise the idea of family groups enough and would encourage anyone who has the chance to start their own group to do so. It’s a lot of reward for very little." Fiona - Family Group Member "Strong friendships have been formed and people now talk about a sense of belonging that they did not feel previously." Christine Joyce - Family Group Coordinator
Family groups are a simple and effective means of deepening the community life of a parish. The support and friendship offered by the parish family can help to combat loneliness and provide a genuine support network for individuals, couples and families. Family groups are coordinated by volunteer Parish Coordinators and Group Leaders. Groups usually meet once a month and everyone is welcome. Each group decides what it wants to do. Popular events include: camping trips, bring a plate suppers, house masses, film nights, charity auctions, curry nights, Advent and Easter crafts, cricket and football.
England and Wales' first family groups were piloted in 2007 when the Project Office invited Fr Peter McGrath of the Passionist Family Group Movement to launch groups in three parishes in London, Manchester and Kendal. There are now twelve parish family groups in nine dioceses: Arundel and Brighton, Cardiff, East Anglia, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Salford and Westminster. With this small but growing network of family groups developing the Project Office is looking to create a Federation of Family Groups (England and Wales) in collaboration with FAMILIAS (the Association of Catholic Diocesan Coordinators of Marriage & Family Ministry). The Federation will ensure that Family Groups in England and Wales are able to communicate and support each other more effectively and enjoy the benefits of a close association with the diocesan family ministry networks. For further information about the proposed Federation of Family Groups (England and Wales) please contact Hannah Moruzzi. Click here to view Father Pat Munroe, from the Diocese of Shrewsbury, talking about family groups from a parish perspective Click here to read about the first family group meeting in the Diocese of East Anglia
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