Christmas in July
It was a joyous occasion at our Christmas in July celebration, with 45 parishioners gathering with bells and whistles. Thank you to all those who attended. You made it a wonderful luncheon. We also thank Lorraine Nolan, from the St Peter’s Community Team, who organised the event. Read the latest issue of St Peter’s Good News from the St Peter’s Community Team.
A social gathering – next week
Come along on Tuesday to The Avenue café, for a social gathering with some parishioners. Only a few metres down the road from the Stella Maris Church, parishioners will enjoy some quality coffee with some quality company. We look forward to seeing you there at 10:30am.
Barista on Baden cafe (they’re on the ground floor of The Avenue, 32 Baden Powell Street, Maroochydore)
Parish Welcome Night
We still have about a month before our next Parish Welcome Night, but we want to make sure that no one slips through the cracks. Good food will be provided by the master chefs of the area (Dominos!) but it’s the company that matters the most. Join us with some of the local faces that make up this wonderful parish and be a part of the ministry and mission. Our next Parish Welcome night will be on the 21 August at 6:00pm. We can’t wait to meet all our new parishioners.
Grandparents and elderly Sunday
To all the Grandparents and Elderly of our Parish – thank you! Without you this place would not operate. We have many volunteers who contribute to the upkeep and character of this Parish and we would like to honour each and every one of you. Last Sunday the Church Universal celebrated “Grandparents and Elderly Sunday”. The Holy Father said, “Old age is indeed a blessed time, for it is the season to be reconciled, a time for looking tenderly at the light that has shone despite the shadows, confident in the hope that the good wheat sown by God will prevail over the weeds with which the devil has wanted to plague our hearts.”
Thank you
Our Knights of the Southern Cross group have again generously donated their time and funds to support our First Holy Communion program. They often do a lot of work behind the scenes – thank you so much!
Xavier School of Preaching
Do you have a gift of sharing the Gospel? Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your preaching skills? Evangelisation Brisbane, in partnership with Australian Catholic University, invites you to the Xavier School of Preaching, an opportunity for all the baptised to grow in the gift of preaching. The intensive experience includes input from preachers, practical formation and training workshops aimed at developing your capacity to communicate. The intensive begins on Thursday 24 August and finishes on Saturday 26 August. Lessons will be given from Xavier Hall, Holy Spirit Seminary, 487 Earnshaw Rd, Banyo QLD 4014 and the cost is $250 per person and $125 concession. Find out more and register by Tuesday 1 August
Mystery and Mission
Register now for the National Conference on Liturgy and Liturgical Music to be held in Brisbane from 28-30 September. It is rare to have expert liturgists, liturgical musicians and educators together in one place for three days of focussed input. In addition to six keynote presentations and over 50 workshops, there will be opportunities to engage in facilitated discussions, and to participate in the Conference Mass as well as Morning and Evening Prayer. Find out more and register
Ignite Conference
It’s one of the largest Catholic gatherings in Australia! Ignite gathers the young and young-at-heart around the Sacraments, teachings and community to provide a space for our youth to grow in relationship with Jesus. We as a parish want to be intentional with Youth Ministry and see this experience as a springboard into the future of Youth Ministry within the parish. If you would like to be a part of this vision, extend an invitation to those young people within your life. If you’re interested in attending this year’s Conference (Thursday 21 September – Sunday 24 September) then contact Fr Isaac Falzon or Carrolyn Watt at the Parish Office.
Anointing Mass
Volunteers needed
We’ve received a few volunteers to help at the Tierney’s Café near the Presbytery, and still need some more. We are looking to have a network of volunteers so if you’re still interested in being involved contact the Parish Office and leave your name. We’ll show what to do. We will be in contact soon about the process.
Hospitality next weekend – First Communion gathering
As well as our normal socialising next weekend, we will again be welcoming the children as they journey towards their First Holy Communion. There will especially be a lot of extra families at the 9.00am Mass next Sunday, how about bringing a plate to share!
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)
Meet a Stella Maris parishioner
Last week we had our first ‘Catechesis Corner’ in the Newsletter, on the alternating week we will have a segment called ‘Meet the Parish’ where we will interview a Parishioner and hear a bit about their story. This week we would like to introduce you to Shirley Bell. Shirley lives next door to the Stella Maris Church at St Vincent’s Care, Maroochydore. Shirley came from the Blue Mountains in NSW and has fond memories of Fr Isaac’s homily where he described the cloudiness of the Mountains “to a T.” She moved into St Vincent’s Care in 2020, and enjoys her time knitting and gardening. She’s really proud of her flowers on her balcony which can be seen from ground floor. “It’s the one with the Jesus statue, he has no hands.” Shirley normally attends Sunday 9.00am Mass at Maroochydore.
Nice to meet you Shirley!
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]
Celebrating and Remembering
We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Charlie Stone who will be baptised this weekend in our Parish.
We prayerfully remember all those who have died, especially Fr Brian Sparksman whose funeral will be in Toowoomba on Monday; Lenore Webberley whose funeral rites were last Thursday; and Shirley Fitzpatrick whose funeral rites will be celebrated on Wednesday.
May the souls of all our departed priests, religious, parishioners and family members, through the rich mercy of God, rest in peace.
