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Commissioning of South Island Directors - Murray & Aileen Straight
27 February 2005

The Passionist Family Group Movement has installed its inaugural directors for the South Island. Murray and Aileen Straight were commissioned at a mass at St. Peter’s, Beckenham, Christchurch on Sunday 27 February with PFGM co-ordinators from around Christchurch, Ashburton and Dunedin in attendance. Passionist Director, Fr. Brian Traynor, CP travelled across from Sydney specially for the commissioning. Assisting him were local parish priest, Fr. Tom Power and one of the NZ Directors for the Movement, Lynn Hill.

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The South Island Director role is the first stage in a restructuring of the Passionist Family Group Movement in New Zealand. Since it was first established in New Zealand in June 1988, the Movement has grown to encompass 103 parishes. Lynn and Rob Hill have been Directors for the Movement throughout New Zealand for the past 14 years. To relieve them of an increasing workload and to bring new leadership ideas to the Movement, the South Island Director role was established ; and while Lynn and Rob Hill will continue to direct the Movement in the North Island with its 64 parishes, the next stage in the restructuring is to split the North Island into two regions with separate directors for each.

Murray and Aileen Straight have been stalwarts of the PFGM for many years in Dunedin but are now resident in Christchurch. They have committed themselves to their new role for four years. Supporting them are Regional Co-ordinators in Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill whose job it is to liaise with and provide Passionist formation to Parish Co-ordinators and family group members throughout each region.

To quote Fr. Brian Traynor at the commissioning ceremony in Christchurch…..”remember that no laws, no rules or discussions can keep a community in harmony and make the members fruitful if Jesus is not Master. A flexible but definite structure is needed to maintain the space whereby people can grow in love and fellowship.”

Article written by John & Helen Walsh

Download ceremony used by Fr Brian Traynor CP here (MS Word format)