Book a front seat with Bishop Tim Norton
This year, as part of our Lenten journey together, we have organised Bishop Tim Norton to lead us in Lenten Mini Mission.
Bishop Tim is originally from Sydney. After finishing high school, he studied physiotherapy. After several years of work as a physiotherapist, he joined the Divine Word Missionaries and much of his seminary formation was undertaken in Mexico. In 1991, he was ordained a priest and commenced postgraduate studies. Bishop Tim has served as provincial leader of the Divine Word Missionaries and up until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane, he was working in the order’s retreat centre in Italy. Get to know more about Bishop Tim Norton before our Lenten Mini-Mission begins. He will lead us for three days – at 5.00pm following morning Mass at OLR church.
Our Parish Lenten Mini Mission will be at 5.00pm on Monday 27 February, Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March at Stella Maris. Everyone is encouraged to make the Parish Mini Mission part of your Lenten journey this year. Lent is only two and a half weeks away with Ash Wednesday falling this year on the 22 February.
Helicopter anyone?
The projected growth of the Sunshine Coast over the next 25 years is an immediate challenge for the Catholic Church in its strategic planning. To meet the needs of the explosion of the anticipated half a million people arriving on the Sunshine Coast, the Catholic Church needs to be strategic in its planning.
In late February, two very special VIPs – the new Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo who has arrived as Pope Francis’ ambassador to Australia, together with Archbishop Mark Coleridge – will be visiting the Sunshine Coast to see first-hand the current and projected development.
To help them appreciate the bigger vision of the development currently taking place, we would like to give them an aerial snapshot of how this development is growing. We are asking if any parishioners have any contacts who might have access to a helicopter and/or pilot for a fly over of the area. Any information that could be of assistance is much appreciated. Please get in touch with Fr Peter at the parish office. Thank you!
Young Adults meeting
Gather with fellow Young Adults from around the Sunshine Coast at the Savvy Squire on Saturday 25 February for our first social event. We will gather at 6.00pm and will be joined by the Caloundra Young Adults Group. For more information contact Fr Will or Deacon Isaac.
Ministry Training
Thank you to all those who ticked the boxes on our Ministry Volunteer Form and agreed to join the different ministry teams in our Parish – your generosity is very much appreciated. If you volunteered to be a Communion Minister or Reader in any of our parish church communities, there is a short training session at Stella Maris next Saturday morning beginning at 10.00am. It is not too late to volunteer! At the entrance to the church you will discover the Ministry Volunteer Form – simply tick the appropriate boxes and return it this week to the Parish office.
An invitation to be part of our Communion Ministry
Our lives have been disrupted by Covid and our Parish life has certainly not escaped this dislocation. So many of our ministries and outreach that we took for granted has disappeared, and if we are not careful, will be forgotten and lost in the busyness of our daily lives. An important ministry has been ensuring that fellow Catholics at the Buderim Hospital receive Holy Communion. We are looking for parishioners who wish to undertake some brief training to become part of the Buderim Private Hospital Communion Ministry Team. If you are interested please get in contact with Fr Peter through the Parish Office.
New Podcast series
You’re invited to listen to a new podcast series, Great Characters of the Bible, hosted by Archbishop Mark Coleridge, which focuses on the Bible as a story filled with fascinating human characters from the old and new testament. We are going to meet some of these characters, as they tell us a lot about our humanity; and they are coming to meet us, as they do in the stories of scripture.
Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify streaming platforms to receive each episode directly to your device.
Episodes now available include:
Completamente Pieno
We have been overwhelmed with the response to the Italian classes – in fact we are oversubscribed and have had to form two classes, which are both now full. The classes will start 7 February. Each of the eager students will donate $5 per lesson and the proceeds will support the work of our local St Vincent de Paul conference. If you’re booked in, could you please make payment on the night.
Catechism in a Year
For those who ordered a Catechism book for our Catechism in a Year sessions, please come by the parish office to pick up your book. Books cost $20.
Preparing for Easter
Are you gathering together to reflect and share using this year’s Lenten Program? Please ring the parish office on 5443 3488 and let them now.
Traditionally, throughout Lent we have organised small discussion groups who have used, as their resource, the Lenten program produced by the Archdiocese of Brisbane. 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, please contact the parish office so that we can place your order. Ash Wednesday is less than 19 days away!
The first group to be organised:
St Catherine of Siena Church Lenten prayer group starts on Ash Wednesday (22 February) from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. For more details, contact Helen 0409 576 170.
Support your parish family
Your generous and continued financial support of your parish is very much appreciated and not taken for granted. You may place your donation on the collection place or utilise the “Tap & Go” facilities at the entrance to the church. Another way to support your parish is to make a donation here. However you decide to support your Parish, thank you! Your ongoing donations will continue to provide valuable pastoral activities in our Parish and create sustainable value for the communities we serve.
Celebrating and Remembering
We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Luca Marie, Mali Marie, Cuba Marie, Alexis Marie and Remy Mallaite who will be baptised this weekend in our Parish.
We pray for all those who have died, especially Vaughan Johnson and Desmond Sullivan whose funeral rites were celebrated last week, and Dr Daniel Lane and Constance Graham who recently passed away (funeral details available soon). May their souls and the souls of all our departed priests, religious, parishioners and family members, through the rich mercy of God, rest in peace.
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.
Safeguarding in our parish
…for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Mark 10:14
Children, young people and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm. They are to be treasured, nurtured and safeguarded.
This means that everyone in the church must ensure that the fundamental right of children, young people and vulnerable adults are respected. This will be achieved through the development of respectful relationships and a commitment to safety embracing appropriate boundaries, behaviours for Employees and Volunteers who work in service of the Church as well as adherence to the legislative imperatives of the State. (Extract from the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Prevention and Protection Policy. Version: 17 March 2017)
The Safeguarding Commitment for the Archdiocese of Brisbane and Stella Maris Catholic Parish is: zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to safeguarding everyone involved in its activities, ministries, and services. The safety and wellbeing of children and adults-at-risk is paramount.
In an emergency, please call 000 or information can be provided to STOPline anonymously. Phone: 1300 304 550 or Email STOPline
