THE BAPTISM of the LORD 

Weekend of January 11 / 12 2025 

The anxious look on the faces of children and teachers means that a new school year is quickly approaching!  However, the good news is that there is still another 16 days to go before the school bell tolls for the 2025 academic year.  Until then, we welcome all our holidaying families and visitors to our community as this weekend we celebrate The Baptism of the Lord.

Ordinary Time

This coming week, on Monday in fact, we begin Ordinary Time. The title Ordinary Time is a bit misleading.  Many people think Ordinary Time refers to parts of the calendar of the Catholic Church that are unimportant. Actually, Ordinary Time is called “ordinary” not because it is common but simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered.

The Latin word ordinalis, which refers to numbers in a series, stems from the Latin word ordo, from which we get the English word order. Thus, the numbered weeks of Ordinary Time, in fact, represent the ordered life of the Church – the period in which we live our lives either in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons) or in more severe penance (as in Advent and Lent), but in watchfulness and expectation of the Second Coming of Christ.  Nothing ordinary about that!

So, we set off on this journey, only interrupted by Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday starts late this year, falling on March 5^th.

 Thinking About It ? ? ?

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the journey of enquiry and discernment.  It’s a time when we invite individuals to go on to discover more about who we are and what we believe as Catholics.   Last year, 25 adults were involved in our RCIA programme and at the end of their journey made the decision to be baptised and join the Church – their own faith journey brings an additional depth and richness to our Parish Family.    There is already a group preparing to be received into the Church this coming Easter, and in a couple of weeks’ time we will invite anyone else who is not baptised or who would like to discover more about what we believe as Catholics, to join a new RCIA group.  If you are interested in joining our new RCIA group or if you simply would like more information, please contact Fr Isaac ( fa*****@**************et.au ).

Work Continues

As the work on the cottage at Buderim continues, our attention turns to the interior of St Mary’s and the opportunity of making some improvements to our place of worship.   As previously mentioned, the goal is to replace the carpet, new seating and new sanctuary furniture.  Only with your help can this be achieved and we need to raise $98,000. An invitation is extended to all Suncoast parishioners  to support this project – perhaps as an individual, a couple, a family or a group you might get together and “buy a pew”.  Any support is welcome and appreciated.  If you would like more information, please contact Fr Peter on br********@**************et.au   We have a designated account for this project, so if you would like to make a direct deposit through online banking the account details are:

Commonwealth Bank   Buderim Project   BSB   064-786    Account Number: 100021388  

Thanks for your support.

Handing on the Faith

The start of another New Year means the start of another Sacramental Programme.  Handing on the faith is the most important mission of our community and assisting parents with their task is something we take seriously as a Parish Family.  All baptised children in Year 3 or above are welcome to join our Confirmation programme and all children in Year 4 or above, who have celebrated their  Confirmation are invited to join our First Holy Communion  programme.  Parents are invited to go to our parish web page (maroochydoreparish.com.au) for more details about when the programmes start and to access the registration forms.

When we forgive – we heal    When we let go – we grow

Stella Maris Parish Office

Adjacent to the Stella Maris Church – Office Hours 9am—2pm Weekdays

T: 5443 3488

E: su******@**************et.au