Another inspiring and worthwhile afternoon was enjoyed by around 50 people on Saturday 11 May. People from eight parishes in our diocese, plus our national coordinators from Wellington, joined together at Our Lady of Victories to explore the themes of ‘belonging’ and ‘teams’.
Fr Brian Traynor CP from Australia had intended leading the event but was unable to due to the sudden death of Fr John Pearce CP, parish priest of Star of the Sea parish in Marlborough. Fortunately Fr Brian’s brother, Paul Traynor, from Wellington was able to ‘be subbed off the bench’ and did a great job of presenting Brian’s material and generating lots of discussion.
Several people arrived early to share lunch together and meet new faces. During the afternoon Jo and Kelvin McGirr (OLV parish) were commissioned together with Pamela and Bob Arthurs (Sancta Maria parish) as regional coordinators of the Passionist Family Group Movement in the Christchurch diocese. We also formally farewelled Aileen and Murray Straight (Hornby-Darfield parish) as they stepped down from the role of South Island coordinators after 14 years of enthusiastic service.
Many stayed on to join the parish for the vigil Mass and share a meal together afterwards. It was great to see some other OLV parish families join us for that too.
People in the photo from left are: Bob Arthurs, Kelvin McGirr, John Leen, Jo McGirr,
Murray Straight, Pamela Arthurs, Mary-Ellen Leen and Aileen Straight