Posts by Georgia Whiteley
Roy Thompson remembered for his faith, generosity and love of family
SEATS were packed to celebrate Sunshine Coast philanthropist Roy Francis Thompson OAM at Stella Maris Church yesterday. Hundreds gathered from every walk of life including family, friends, individuals and representatives of the many organisations which Mr Thompson and his wife Nola Thompson impacted. Among the dignitaries and representatives gathered were also Federal MP Ted O’Brien…
Read MoreMaroochydore parishioners run 42km for grassroots meal relief ministry
The finish line: Kieran Fawcett (left) and Patricia Sweeney-Fawcett (right) ran through Alexandra Headlands, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Mudjimba raising more than $4,400. Photo: Supplied
Read MoreThree priests reflect on their journey since giving God their ‘yes’
LAST Monday, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Fr Gerard Lai, Fr Isaac Falzon and Fr Minje Kim approached the third anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood. The three men received ordination together on June 29, 2023, at the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane by Archbishop Emeritus Mark Coleridge. Now in…
Read MoreOne shared faith celebrated at Maroochydore’s Multicultural Mass
THOUSANDS of people gathered to worship and celebrate the cultural diversity found within their shared Catholic faith. More than 30 different cultural communities attended Maroochydore Parish’s fourth annual Multicultural Mass last Sunday, dressed in vibrant traditional attire. Fr Gerard Lai said the “beautiful cultural dress of the different nationalities added to the beauty of the…
Read MoreSleeping under the stars: Fr Gerard raises $5000 for homelessness support services
TRADING in a warm bed for a night on the beach, under three pieces flimsy cardboard, Fr Gerard Lai recently took on the 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, representing Maroochydore Parish. “I woke up at 1:30am to my structure completely collapsed,” he said. It was an “open rooftop, beach sleepout experience”. The hardest part, Fr Lai…
Read MoreA rough night ahead: Fr Gerard ‘sleeps out’ to help people facing homelessness
FR Gerard Lai loves a good adventure but this one, he says, “will be a bit different”. Fr Lai and Stella Maris Primary School principal Mark Ballam have been preparing to take part in the CEO Vinnies Sleepout next Thursday, June 18 at Maroochydore Beach. It will be “a rough sleep for a good cause”,…
Read MoreLiving out Matthew 4:19, Fr Gerard Lai begins his ‘next chapter’ at Maroochydore
A once young boy who aspired to play for the Socceroos and become a scientist has now grown up to become a Catholic priest. “I wanted to save the planet and be a researcher for renewable energies or in biofortification,” Fr Gerard Lai said. It was “interesting how God was calling me to help…
Read MoreSayōnara
Over the past three and a half years, it has been an incredible privilege to serve the Maroochydore parish. It was quite a shock to hear that I would be leaving so soon, and it is not easy to say goodbye to such an amazing parish that I have poured so much of myself into.…
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