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The Family Group By joining a Family Group you will experience acceptance, love, care and support from others. The Gospel message comes alive: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Have you heard this before? “I wish I could be more involved in our parish!” or “I wish I really knew some of the people I see in church.” Or maybe you’ve said to yourself, “How can we show our children what it means to be Christian?” Do you find it difficult meeting new people? Nearly everyone does. By joining a Family Group you will be in immediate contact with other families. Once you know them, you’ll find you are able to meet with them after Mass instead of feeling alone. A Family Group is a great way of helping you to break down the barriers if you find it difficult to talk with people. |
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What Are The Aims?
Members aim to get to know each other. They wish to support each other’s joys and sorrows and so build the Christian Community. They wish to involve their children in Christian sharing directly, if possible, or indirectly by their example. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Who Will Be In My Family Group?
A Family Group is made up of 10 to 15 families, with a cross section of ages, including some children of the same age – like an extended family.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to join, from grandparents to babies. There is room for non-church attending spouses, one-parent families and single people, elderly or young.
What Happens In A Family Group?
The groups gather once a month for a picnic, barbecue, casserole night, etc. to enjoy being with one another and gradually to develop supportive relationships. Some gatherings are just for the adults (to give parents of young children a bit of breathing space); while others include children.
Highlights in a Family Group’s calendar are a home Eucharist, a weekend away, special anniversary, etc.
The groups work together to build the parish community by sharing experiences. This is the way Family Groups live the Faith in the everyday circumstances of their lives.
How Committed Do I Have To Be?
A Family Group is just like a family.
The bonds that develop the feelings of belonging create a sense of responsibility for one another. As in
any family there is sometimes the need for extra effort. As with all aspects of life, you reap what you sow. You will get from Family Groups what you put into Family Groups.
What Can I Give To A Family Group?
Yourself. You can give your friendship, support and time to other members of your group. You just have to be yourself. You can sit down and talk, share and listen with others. What you do doesn’t really matter. It is YOU that matters. Bonds develop and the sense of belonging creates a sense of concern for each other.
What If I’m Single Or Divorced?
The motto is “A FAMILY FOR ALL”. Family Groups provide an extended family for all who wish to belong: church-going or not, young or elderly, married, single, separated or divorced. There is a giving and receiving by all members of the group to each other. Everyone has so much to offer.
Do We Have To Be “Holy”?
You just have to be yourself. Many non-church attenders have found belonging to a Family Group is a great way to become involved in the faith life of their family. Family Groups provide a non-threatening environment for non-church going partners and friends.
But I’m Already Very Busy
Do you actually spend your busy time with your family? Being in a Family Group will mean that once a month you will be sharing an experience with your own family plus some 10 other families. Is that being too busy?
What If I’ve Already Got Enough Friends?
Well, maybe a group needs you! And if you do have many friends, you don’t have to lose them to belong to a Family Group. Have you ever thought what it is like for the people who are not like you and who don’t have many friends? Could it be that many people don’t stay after weekend masses because they really don’t know anyone to stop and chat with? What if we could create a network where everybody knew at least 10 families?
Wouldn’t that improve the atmosphere of the parish?
Benefits To The Parish
Through your Family Group you will find you are bringing a happy, loving spirit to your parish. Experience shows that
Family Groups are a great asset to the parish, since many people become actively involved in parish life.
Members aim to get to know each other. They wish to support each other’s joys and sorrows and so build the Christian Community. They wish to involve their children in Christian sharing directly, if possible, or indirectly by their example. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Who Will Be In My Family Group?
A Family Group is made up of 10 to 15 families, with a cross section of ages, including some children of the same age – like an extended family.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to join, from grandparents to babies. There is room for non-church attending spouses, one-parent families and single people, elderly or young.
What Happens In A Family Group?
The groups gather once a month for a picnic, barbecue, casserole night, etc. to enjoy being with one another and gradually to develop supportive relationships. Some gatherings are just for the adults (to give parents of young children a bit of breathing space); while others include children.
Highlights in a Family Group’s calendar are a home Eucharist, a weekend away, special anniversary, etc.
The groups work together to build the parish community by sharing experiences. This is the way Family Groups live the Faith in the everyday circumstances of their lives.
How Committed Do I Have To Be?
A Family Group is just like a family.
The bonds that develop the feelings of belonging create a sense of responsibility for one another. As in
any family there is sometimes the need for extra effort. As with all aspects of life, you reap what you sow. You will get from Family Groups what you put into Family Groups.
What Can I Give To A Family Group?
Yourself. You can give your friendship, support and time to other members of your group. You just have to be yourself. You can sit down and talk, share and listen with others. What you do doesn’t really matter. It is YOU that matters. Bonds develop and the sense of belonging creates a sense of concern for each other.
What If I’m Single Or Divorced?
The motto is “A FAMILY FOR ALL”. Family Groups provide an extended family for all who wish to belong: church-going or not, young or elderly, married, single, separated or divorced. There is a giving and receiving by all members of the group to each other. Everyone has so much to offer.
Do We Have To Be “Holy”?
You just have to be yourself. Many non-church attenders have found belonging to a Family Group is a great way to become involved in the faith life of their family. Family Groups provide a non-threatening environment for non-church going partners and friends.
But I’m Already Very Busy
Do you actually spend your busy time with your family? Being in a Family Group will mean that once a month you will be sharing an experience with your own family plus some 10 other families. Is that being too busy?
What If I’ve Already Got Enough Friends?
Well, maybe a group needs you! And if you do have many friends, you don’t have to lose them to belong to a Family Group. Have you ever thought what it is like for the people who are not like you and who don’t have many friends? Could it be that many people don’t stay after weekend masses because they really don’t know anyone to stop and chat with? What if we could create a network where everybody knew at least 10 families?
Wouldn’t that improve the atmosphere of the parish?
Benefits To The Parish
Through your Family Group you will find you are bringing a happy, loving spirit to your parish. Experience shows that
Family Groups are a great asset to the parish, since many people become actively involved in parish life.
