The Passionist Family Groups have been operating successfully in Colac for twenty-three and a half years.  Fr Peter McGrath, a Passionist priest, founded the Family Group Movement in Sydney in 1972 with the intention of helping parishioners and families in his parish to support and love each other and preserve community spirit.

In March 1992 Father Kevin Arundell invited the Passionists to come to Colac and with help from Ballarat North Family Group, five groups were formed here.  Currently we have four Groups embracing a membership of approximately one hundred people.

Over the years membership has, of course, changed – people have left Colac, a number have died, so we are always needing new members.  Every month, each group has a “get together” such as dinners or lunches, outings to local events or day trips. Some groups have a few days away together each year. These outings give members the opportunity to grow together as a family, to support one other as needed and importantly to listen to each other.  As some members through illness or in later life find it difficult to attend monthly functions others assist them with transport .  In these ways we endeavour to honour Christ’s commandment “love one another as I love you”