Men ALIVE WEEKEND
With the success of the Exodus 90 program, Men from that experience have been working together to extend a faith-filled fraternity to other men of the Parish. The MenAlive weekend is an active response to the transformative experience of Men for God. If you are interested in being part of the weekend please contact Ross McNally (0418 962 837) or Fr Isaac Falzon to get more details on the event and how you can be a part of it. We want to encourage men to stand up for their faith in this current age and be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Women’s Retreat
We have an opportunity here for our women also, especially those interested in having some spiritual time with our God. The retreat will be facilitated by Sr Therese Mills (leader of the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters) and Sr Judy Bowe (Missionary of God’s Love sister) who are women of deep faith and joy.
The retreat will be held from the 13-15 October 2023 at The Watson Park Convention Centre, 337 Old Gympie Rd, Dakabin.
For more information click here, call Rosa Montegrande on 0400 755 516 or email [email protected]
Coffee at ‘The Avenue’ with friends
The Avenue café boasts good coffee with a good atmosphere which is just down the road from the Stella Maris Church. On Tuesday 1 August at 10:30am we invite all who are available to join in a social coffee with parishioners. Call them on 5445 9116 so they know numbers. This is a great way to connect with new people from the Parish. Bring a friend with you to the café. We look forward to seeing you there.
Barista on Baden cafe (they’re on the ground floor of The Avenue, 32 Baden Powell Street, Maroochydore – just down the road from the Stella Maris Church)
Scam Alert – Beware!
Last week we mentioned something in the Newsletter about a scam with Fr Peter’s name attached to it. Scams can be tricky and creative, luring people into paying money or giving out personal details. Unfortunately, this is part of the brokenness of the world in which we live. Although we do not know who the scammer is, it’s normally an international scammer and generally not connected to the community. Scammers glean phone numbers from the web whether that be from your social media accounts or other profiles. It might be worth removing your phone number from non-trustworthy websites and platforms, especially if you seem to be getting more scam calls than usual.
Catholic Formation
A reminder that the Archdiocese Centre for Catholic Formation has put together a course on Understanding, Praying and Living the Scriptures. This course is on offer over 10 weeks and will cover a range of topics around the Scriptures. The course will run from Holy Spirit Seminary in Banyo. If` you would like to be part of the local hub that will meet here at Stella Maris, please contact Carrolyn Watt from the Parish Office. The cost for an individual is $250 whereas for a group of 5 and more people, it’s $150.
Parish Welcome
Some people have been part of this parish for years and have never been welcomed. We want to hear from you too. Come along and be part of our Parish Welcome Night and meet the people who attend a different Mass centre or Mass time to you. Contact the Office and provide us with your details. We will be in touch with you about our next Parish Welcome Night will be on the 21 August at 6:00pm.
First Holy Communion Classes
We had our parent information night on Wednesday. Carolyn led our session with more that 40 young people preparing to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Please keep our young brothers and sisters in your prayers. Next week we will begin with classes and our young people will meet at different times across the Parish. Over this weekend we will have Enrolment Masses for our young parishioners so please make them feel welcome.
Rite of Enrolment Masses
Saturday 22 July – Sunday 23 July (All Mass centres)
Gathering 1: First Communion
Sunday 30th July 8:30am (Stella Maris, Maroochydore) or Sunday 30th July 8:00am (St Catherine’s, Sippy Downs)
Gathering 2: First Communion
Sunday 6th August 8:30am (Stella Maris, Maroochydore) or Sunday 6th August 8:00am (St Catherine’s, Sippy Downs)
Gathering 3: Reconciliation Class
Sunday 13th August 8:30am (Stella Maris, Maroochydore) or Sunday 13th July 8:00am (St Catherine’s, Sippy Downs) First Reconciliation Celebrations Tuesday 15th August between 4pm-6pm (Stella Maris, Maroochydore).
Gathering 4: First Communion
Sunday 20th August 8:30am (Stella Maris, Maroochydore) or Sunday 20th July 8:00am (St Catherine’s, Sippy Downs)
NOTE: Both lessons will be followed by a rehearsal in their respective Churches.
First Communion Masses
Saturday 26 August – Sunday 27 August (All Mass centres)
Ignite Conference
With over 1,000 young men and women attending last year’s conference, Ignite seeks to connect a generation with Jesus through authentic relationships and dynamic events. Young people are invited to live their lives to the full by growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ through an experience of dynamic worship, the sacraments, new friendships and inspiring speakers. If you’re interested in attending this year’s Ignite Conference in Brisbane which begins on Thursday 21 September and ends on Sunday 24 September, then contact Fr Isaac Falzon or Carrolyn Watt at the Parish Office for more information.
Shelter needed
One of our parishioners at Coolum has fallen on hard times and needs some assistance. He is looking for a place to rent. If there is any way you might be able to help out, please contact Cherie Graham on 0425 357 005.
Volunteers needed
We’re looking for experienced Baristas to volunteer with the making and serving of coffee at the Café near the Presbytery. We’re working with our friends next door at St Vincent’s Care to open the Café but we need a network of volunteers to make that happen. If you’re willing to help, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Parish Office.
Catechesis Corner
Beginning this weekend we will have, on a fortnightly rotation, some catechesis in the Newsletter. Some of what is shared will be known by many, other times it might be a new learning. Through these teachings hopefully we can learn more about our faith. This week we look at Baptism, the beginning of our Sacramental Life. This teaching comes from CCC# 1256 (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
Who can baptise?
Did you know, that the ordinary ministers of a Baptism are the bishops, priests and, in the Latin Church, the Deacon. In the case of necessity, any person, even someone who is unbaptised, can baptise, if they have the required intention. The required intention is the will to do what the Church does when she baptises and to use the Trinitarian formula. “N. I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” No other formula is valid. There have been cases of Emergency Baptisms that have been administered to a person in danger of dying. Many a nun or religious person working in hospitals have been known to administer the Sacrament.
Young Adults
Our Young Adults Group will meet this coming Friday, 28 July, at 6.00pm. The group will be gathering for Mini Golf at Maroochy River Mini Golf. contact Fr Isaac Falzon if you’re interested in going.
Statements to be Collected
We still have a few Statements to be collected at the entrance of our Churches. For those who are part of Planned Giving and have not yet taken your Statements, please take the time over the next week.
150 years of weddings
In this 150th year of the Cathedral of St Stephen, couples who have been married at St Stephen’s are invited to commemorate their years of marriage. On Saturday 30 September, the Archbishop will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral at 11.30am, followed by refreshments on its grounds. There will be a particular focus on Golden Wedding Anniversaries, however anyone married at the Cathedral or Chapel, is invited to attend. If you have photos or stories to share, please contact David Todd by 1 September. Email [email protected] Phone 3324 3030.
Register to attend the Mass and for catering purposes or phone 07 3324 3030. Please RSVP by Friday 22 September.
Celebrating and Remembering
We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Jasper Davidson and Zhyion Bautista who will be baptised this weekend in our Parish.
We prayerfully remember all those who have died, especially Margaret Farrell whose funeral rites were celebrated on Friday, and Gavan O’Connor whose funeral rites will be celebrated this Friday.
May the souls of all our departed priests, religious, parishioners and family members, through the rich mercy of God, Rest in Peace.
