2023 Annual Catholic Campaign
Thank you for your generous support of the Catholic Campaign this year, and for your support over the years. In the past, our Parish has donated favourably to the cause. Over the weekend, we’ll hear from the Archbishop about how the donated funds go to sustaining Centacare (social services), Priests Foundation (healthcare of unwell and retired priests), Holy Spirit Seminary (training our future leaders), Mary Mackillop Access Fund (Catholic education for families in Crisis) and Grassroots Programs.
In memory of Harry Bliss
This Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of Fr Harry Bliss who died on the 22nd of August, 2018. Fr Harry was the Parish Priest of Maroochydore after it was separated from the Nambour Parish. He faithfully served our community with energy and vision until 1988. May Fr Harry Bliss’ soul, and the souls of all our former priests, religious and parishioners Rest In Peace.
Receipts to be collected
We still have a few receipts to be collected at the entrance of the Churches. For those who have donated to the Parish via Bpay, Direct Debit or any other means, please make sure you collect your receipts this weekend if you haven’t already done so. Thank you for supporting our parish.
Scripture Hub – Catholic Formation
Monday night marks the beginning of a 10-week program on the Scriptures with Catholic Formation. Eleven of our parishioners will journey through modules on Understanding, Praying and Living the Scriptures. Let’s keep them in our prayer over these next few weeks. There is still time to register, so if you’re interested in being a part of the journey, please contact Carrolyn Watt at the Parish Office.
The course will be run from Holy Spirit Seminary in Banyo but we have set up a local hub here in Maroochydore. The cost for an individual is $250 whereas for a group of 5 and more. It’s $150 each participant. More information here
Young Adults Night
Our Young Adults Group will meet this coming Friday for a prayer session on 25 August. Adoration and Liturgy of the Hours will be the focus of the night. Prayer will begin at 6.00pm at St Mary’s in Buderim. Afterwards, they’ll be going out for a meal together. Bring a friend along to the night. See you there!
World Youth Day – Fr Will reflects
Thanks to everyone who have welcomed me back from my trip to Portugal. World Youth Day was a whirlwind of emotions and spiritual encounters that I’m still unpacking. Many of the experiences I had overseas will be food for thought in the years to come and perhaps even feature in some homilies here and there. We travelled from Paris to Lourdes, then from Lourdes to Fatima. We then went from Fatima to Lisbon for the World Youth Day week and then travelled to Avila for a time of retreat and reflection. We certainly did many of the tourist things. I was especially astounded by the week in Lisbon where we hopped on trains jammed with pilgrims, went to catechesis sessions led by people we watch on YouTube, and of course, we had the opportunity to see the Pope. It was astounding hearing the Masses of young people chanting “Papa Francesco.” Overall, I’m blessed to have had the time with the Archdiocese, and I would gladly support any of our future young people who would consider going to the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.
Office Renovations
If you’ve been to the Parish Office recently, you will have noticed that we’ve made a few changes to the physical space. We want to be a welcoming community and although not everything we do can have that element of welcome, whatever we can control, we want to do well. When you enter the office now you’ll be met with the face of a human and not a wall. That first point of contact is essential for making a person feel at home and welcomed. We’ve opened up a few spaces that can now be used as meeting rooms and, of course, we’ve carpeted the sacristy area as a space that we can potentially use for Children’s Church. See some photos of the updated spaces below.
Mystery and Mission
Mystery and Mission: The Art of Liturgical Celebration, here in Brisbane. Register now for this 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. Visit the website to register
Celebrating and Remembering
We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Aria and Griffin Hosking and William Finnegan who will be baptised this weekend in our Parish.
We prayerfully remember all those who have died. May the souls of all our departed priests, religious, parishioners and family members, through the rich mercy of God, rest in peace.
Catechism Corner
One last point on the Sacrament of Baptism, and that’s the Baptism of Infants. Why does the Catholic Church baptise babies? There has been opposition to infant baptism over the centuries with people rejecting it’s validity. But the Church has held for many years that Christ’s law applies to infants as well as adults, for Jesus said, ‘no one can enter heaven unless they are born again of water and the Holy Spirit. Children, too, are born with a fallen human nature and tainted by Original Sin. They too are in need of the new birth given to us by Baptism.
The sheer gratuitousness on offer through Baptism has always attracted parents (CCC#1250). Why not receive of this life-giving Sacrament? In the scriptures we hear testimony of whole households receiving baptism where we intuit that children were also baptised (Acts 16:15). St Paul talks about Baptism as a ‘circumcision of Christ’ drawing that comparison to the Old Law where mostly infants were circumcised (Col 2:11-12). We want our children to receive of the grace on offer. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
Although we’ve been covering Sacraments, if you would like a question answered, simply email the Office and over time we’ll respond with what the Catechism says about that particular question.
Information session on marriage annulments
Sadly, some marriages can’t continue due to abuse (spiritual, emotional, financial or physical) and the Church recognises this. There will be an information session on marriage annulments in the Catholic Church, given by staff of the Regional Tribunal for Queensland. What is an annulment? Who needs one? What’s involved? FAQs answered and the chance to have your own questions answered. Tuesday 22 August 2023, Mary Immaculate Hall, 616 Ipswich Rd, Annerley (parking adjacent), 7:45pm. Enquiries to [email protected] or 3324 3033.
More places to sit
Through a government grant we obtained ten bench seats for Stella Maris Church. These bench seats will be used for our bigger events and perhaps even some of our weekly events. Our thanks to the Knights of the Southern Cross who kindly assembled them for us.
It’s not too late – calling all young
Ignite Conference 23:Wonder is a National Catholic Conference for people of all ages to experience real world formation, powerful worship and encouragement in their Catholic faith in an exciting, and ground-breaking way.
We all need an opportunity to meet our God of wonders. At this time when our world is so full of fear, uncertainty and powerlessness, we desperately need the God of wonders to remind us of all that is good and true; that Jesus is present and powerful and able to move mountains in our lives.
Ignite Conference is a chance to meet the God of wonders, to encounter Jesus for the first time or the hundredth time. It’s a rare opportunity to gather as a people of faith from around the country.
A line-up of speakers and artists will be joining our expanding Ignite family this year at two locations. In Brisbane, we are excited to continue our partnership with St. Laurence’s College in the heart of the city. We want to see the Church in Australia be led by a wonder-filled generation ready to transform all around them into colour and light.
If you haven’t been to an Ignite Conference yet, this is your time. Come along for four days of unforgettable Catholic worship, speakers, creativity, sacraments and workshops. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to breathe WONDER into our lives, Church and nation together! Contact Fr Isaac Falzon or Carrolyn Watt at the Parish Office to find out more!
Women’s Retreat
A reminder that women are invited to a retreat in Dakabin. Maybe it would be worth carpooling with other women of the area. The theme of the weekend is “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.” 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). The retreat will be held from 13-15 October at The Watson Park Convention Centre, 337 Old Gympie Rd, Dakabin.
For more information contact Rosa Montegrande 0400 755 516 or email [email protected]
Golden Wedding Anniversary
All those celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, and any couples married at the Cathedral of St Stephen or its Chapel, are invited to attend a Mass there on Saturday 30 September at 11.30am. Bring your family and friends. Please RSVP by email or phone 07 3324 3030 by 1 September.
Don’t forget, if you have photos or stories to share of your wedding at the Cathedral, please email David Todd
