Ipswich's Family Groups Celebrate in Style

John Cassidy recalls the joy of the Family Groups' first birthday celebrations last November (2013) in St Mary's Parish, Ipswich.

"The parish hall was decked out with streamers and bunting. Music played as nearly 100 parishioners – ages 2 to 92 - arrived on Saturday afternoon, November 9^{th .}  Tables were festooned with imaginative cooking, baking, and confectionery.  Parents rushed their children back  from rugby practice and ballet lessons. Senior parishioners altered their schedules. Our clergy freed their diaries. The centrepiece of the festivities was an iced birthday cake, with just one candle - because we in the parish of St Mary’s and Holy Family, Ipswich, had come to celebrate the 1^stbirthday party of our Family Groups. Before he led the ‘Happy Birthday’ chorus, our Parish Priest, Fr John Warrington, who is an integral part of the Family Groups, said how proud he was to see such a wonderful cross-section of the parish being together and celebrating happily as a community."

For more information, or to join a Family Group in St Mary's and the Holy Family Parish, please contact the Parish Family Group Coordinator via the Presbytery on 01473 728115 or email secretary@st-mary.org.uk

If your parish has any Family Groups news, details of upcoming events, reports or pictures that you would like to share with other Family Groups on this Blog please contact the MFL Project Office

Welcome to the New Blog For Family Groups in England & Wales

This Blog has been created at the request of  Family Groups in England and Wales who wanted a way to share ideas, experiences and resources with each other. The Blog will publish regular news, ideas, feedback and reports from all the Family Group parishes, keeping them in touch with events locally and any developments elsewhere.

Family Groups are parish based groups open to any parishioner and their family, irrespective of age or personal circumstances. Groups meet every six weeks or so for a variety of low cost activities (these have included quizzes, film nights, country & beach walks, music, sporting & themed events, fundraising, House Masses and bring-a-plate suppers.) The group members are bound by their commitment to community fellowship and a desire to grow together in friendship and faith. The groups need the support of their parish priest but are run by volunteer group leaders and parish coordinators.

Click Here to Read the Story of Family Groups in England and Wales

Click Here To Find a Family Group in Your Area

If you have Family Groups news, details of upcoming events, reports or pictures that you would like to share on this Blog please contact Hannah Moruzzi at the MFL Project Office