A new journey begins

One of our parishioners, Valentine Ohaneje (a face you have probably seen around the place), has started a new journey. Valentine will enter Holy Spirit Seminary, Banyo, to begin his journey towards priesthood. We keep Valentine and all the seminarians at Holy Spirit Seminary in our prayers as they begin a new academic year.

From Valentine:

“It is undoubted that life could be unpredictable and at the same time astonishing; full of ups and downs. Thereby, creating episodes after another as it pleases. However, despite everything l have faced in life, the shifts in paradigm, l never ceased saying the prayers of Psalm 27:4. Of course, only one thing matters- God’s kingdom! Originally, I hail from the Eastern part of Nigeria. I grew up in the region that’s predominantly Christian, especially Catholic. I was born into a practising Catholic family of four boys. While my mother and the youngest son stayed in Nigeria, the two eldest are overseas. My youth was punctuated with Church activities; from serving at Mass to enrolling into the Minor Seminary. The zeal and desire to become a Catholic priest sustained me until my second year Theology. It was at this point that I experienced a turbulence-like vocation crisis that led me to opt out of the Seminary formation. A new phase had begun. The quest to further my education led me to the University of the Sunshine Coast. While studying l was also working as a Disability support worker. During my leisure time, l enjoy swimming, playing soccer or watching soccer matches. Nevertheless, after a while, l realised that a day in God’s house, as confirmed by the sons of Korah in Psalm 84, is indeed better than thousands elsewhere. Maybe this is God’s call; a new phase is about to play out.

Liturgy Committee meeting

Liturgy is the highest moment of prayer and purpose for our Sunshine Coast parish. As Catholics, we believe that it is the primary setting where God and people come together for the good of the whole world.  Our next Parish Liturgy Committee meeting is on Saturday, 4 February at 10.00am and the goal of the committee is for us to plan and aspire to celebrate the sacred rites of the Church with dignity and inspiration.  The Liturgy Committee is also co-ordinating the parish ministries and volunteer training session on Saturday, 11 February at 10.30am (morning tea at 10.00am.)

Lenten practice (cantors/singers)

All cantors/singers across our parish are invited to our practice for the Lenten season on Tuesday 14 February at 11.00am, Stella Maris Church.

Baptismal preparation

On the first Thursday of every month, we host our Baptismal Preparation meeting. At this short meeting we explain the ritual and the meaning behind the symbols used in the ceremony and answer any questions before confirming dates and times of baptism. The next preparation meeting is at Stella Maris Church this Thursday, 2 February, at 6.00pm. If you would like attend please contact the parish office.

The Next Step…

Have you returned your ministry volunteer form? At the entrance to the church you can find extra copies of the ministry volunteer form and you are invited to tick the appropriate boxes and either place it on the collection plate or\, simply return it to the Parish Office. Thank you to all new volunteers and to all parishioners who generously give of their time and energy to build up our Parish Family. Next Saturday the Liturgy Committee has its preparation meeting at 10.00am. On Saturday morning, 11 February at Stella Maris Church, we have a training/refresher meeting for all new Eucharistic ministers, readers, cantors/singers.

Lenten Program

Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent is only 25 days away! Traditionally, throughout Lent we have organised small discussion groups who have used, as their resource, the Lenten program produced by the Archdiocese. This year, Evangelisation Brisbane offers From Ashes to Hope which is based on the readings for each day of Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Octave. It provides an opportunity for each person to turn the eyes of their heart to God as God leads them beyond ashes to hope. The pocket-sized Lenten reflection book can be used by both groups and individuals. If you would like to join a group, or if you would like to simply order a booklet for your own personal journey, please record your name and contact details on the form at the entrance to the church. The cost is only $5 each. Our parish will place its order on Friday 3 February so they arrive in time, so make sure you get your order in by then.

Women’s Retreat

The annual women’s retreat coordinated by Evangelization Brisbane and hosted by Our Lady of the Rosary, Caloundra is tomorrow (4 February). The day will begin with Mass at 9am and finish after lunch. Lunch will be provided at no cost. For registration and catering purposes please contact Vivienne on 0409 897 673. All women of the Parish are warmly invited to attend – why not tell a friend and car pool?

Italian?

It is never too late to learn a language, and from Tuesday, 7 February everyone has an opportunity to delve into the most romantic language of them all – Italian!

Carmel Barbagallo, a qualified Italian teacher, will lead eager students starting with basic, practical Italian. The classes will be held at the St Vincent de Paul meeting room (1 Norval Court, Maroochydore) on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6.00pm. The cost will be $5 a lesson which will be donated to supporting the work of St Vincent de Paul in our community. To help with resources, if you are interested, please email Carmel or the parish office.

Celebrating and Remembering

We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Harriet Norris, Bowie Norris, Thomas Finnegan, Rayna Ramalingam and Hudson Scanlan who will be baptised this weekend in our Parish.

We pray for all those who have died, especially Brian Burke whose funeral rites were celebrated at St Peter’s Coolum Beach last Friday, and Maria Jorge, whose funeral rites will be celebrated at Buderim Crematorium this coming Friday.  May Brian’s soul and the souls of all our departed priests, religious, parishioners and family members, through the rich mercy of God.

New to the Neighbourhood?

We live in an extremely mobile society and especially here on the Sunshine Coast, where people are always coming and going. If you are new to our Parish, or if you are reconnecting with the Church, we would love to welcome you more formally to our Parish Family. You will find “welcome packs” at the entrance of our churches, or feel free to complete the I’m New form online. We will get in touch with you when the forms are returned. Once again, Welcome!

New Parish Website

The best way to keep up-to-date with news, information, and upcoming events, including mass and prayer times in our parish family, is to visit the latest parish news on our new parish website. Here you can find mass times and other key events planned across the parish in The Week Ahead.

Subscribe to our weekly E-newsletter to get these updates in your inbox weekly, or download the weekly parish bulletin.