Share a Cuppa this weekend!
It is the first weekend of the month again, and you are invited to stay for a cuppa, as there will be refreshments after all our Masses this weekend. Its an opportunity to catch up with friends, and meet some new people. The community at 6.30am Mass will be providing a sausage sizzle after their Mass. A wonderful way to start the day
24 Hour Adoration
We had one earlier in the year that turned out to be a success. We’re calling on parishioners to again be part of this upcoming 24 Hour Adoration. If you have some time between Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October come along to Stella Maris Church for this time of prayer and rest in the Lord. Spend some time with the Lord as you pray for your personal needs, the needs of this parish, and the needs of the world. Sign up with one of our time sheets located at the entrance of each church.
Meet the Parish
Meet Michael Fitzpatrick.
You’ve probably heard him sing at the 5.00pm Stella Maris Mass. Outside of the many hours he commits to volunteering in the Parish, Michael runs retreats and reflection days in Catholic schools up and down the East Coast. He works in 85 Catholic high schools. He is married to Helen, who is head of English at Siena, and they have two daughters. Michael was born in Cairns but has lived here on the Sunshine Coast for 34 years. He came up to work for Fr Joe Duffy, on what was then called the evening Youth Mass.
Fr Will caught Michael connecting cables and then took a photo.
Nice to meet you, Michael!
Conversations with Fr James Alison
We’re not too far away from Bishop Tim and Fr James’ visit. Many people have been enquiring about the content of this talk. At its most basic level Fr James will share a few of his reflections and position on same sex attraction. There’s much to be said in this space, particularly with how we as Catholics are to pastorally approach the situation. Bishop Tim will guide the conversation but it will certainly be a challenging and/or enlightening space for many. Fundamentally, it’s important that we can have a safe and open conversation about these topics. We warmly welcome all people to join us for this occasion. The conversation will take place at Stella Maris Primary School, Maroochydore, at 6.00pm on Thursday 12 October.
Br Michael Herry FMS
This Tuesday (3 October) Br Michael Herry will come to Stella Maris Church, Maroochydore. This parish boasts a high standard of musical talent and this workshop promises to elevate that to the next level. With his vast experience in psalmody and lyricism, the Br Michael workshop promises to be a learning space that will ultimately contribute to the way we worship in the Mass. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s best. The night will begin at 5pm and finish around 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome. If you’re interested in coming along kindly contact by email Michael Fitzpatrick or phone Michael on 0419 876 195.
Relic of St John Bosco
On Saturday 14 October we will welcome a 410kg relic statue of St John Bosco marking 100 years of the Salesian order in Australia. The wax replica of the 19th century priest’s body is contained in a glass casket and holds a major relic of the patron saint of young people. Take some time out of your day to visit the relic that Saturday and pray for the Young People of this nation and particularly this parish as we look to build a Youth Group in the coming months.
Trip to the Cathedral
Seats are selling quickly for our Tour Trip down to the Cathedral for the 150th celebrations. The Cathedral staff have informed us that we are the first parish to take up the invitation to visit our spiritual home which means we’ll pave the way for other parishes and their future visits. The bus will leave on Tuesday 17 October for a full day trip – picking up at Coolum Beach, and then Maroochydore, before it heads down to the Cathedral. Get in quick and don’t miss out on this amazing experience.
Junior ministers
We had a great turnout to our last Junior Ministers meeting and now we’re calling on our young people again to make their way to Stella Maris Church on Sunday 15 October for our next session. The meeting will begin at 2:30pm in the church with a little training. Afterwards, there will be pizza and games from 3:15pm to 4:30pm. We’re inviting children who have made their First Holy Communion or who are in school Years 4 – 8. We look forward to seeing you there.
New Columbarium Walls
This week we installed two new Columbarium walls at Stella Maris Church. If you’ve visited the space before, you’ll know that the walls already installed were named after three of the Archangels; Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. So we now need two more names. Suggestions welcome – contact the Parish Office on 07 5443 3488.
If you have any queries about our Columbarium walls just contact the Parish Office.
Month of the Holy Rosary
October is the month of the Holy Rosary. We began by exploring the topic with Fr Jeremy Santoso last weekend, and will continue with 24-hour adoration next weekend. We especially wish every blessing to our neighbours down south, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish (Caloundra), who will celebrate their feast day on Saturday 7 October. Keep an eye out in the Newsletter for other up-and-coming events centred on the Rosary. There’s also an invitation from the community at St Peter’s to join in their rosary before the 8:30 am Mass on Thursday.
The maternal role of Mary toward people in no way obscures or diminishes the unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power: it is mediation in Christ [Vatican II Constitution on the Church, # 60].
Catholics do not pray to Mary as if she were God. Prayer to Mary is memory of the great mysteries of our faith (Incarnation, Redemption through Christ in the rosary), praise to God for the wonderful things he has done in and through one of his creatures (Hail Mary) and intercession (second half of the Hail Mary).
So, when Catholics “pray” to Mary, we’re not praying in the same way as we pray to God. We’re asking for her intercession.
The 7 October is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and October is the month of the Rosary.
At Stella Maris church, Maroochydore we will have Adoration after 9.00am Holy Mass on Friday, 6 October.
At the end of Adoration there will Benediction and Holy Mass on Saturday, 7 October at 8.00am.
The rosary will be prayed every three hours during the 24-hour Adoration. You are invited to write a petition and place the petition in a petition box near the candles. Write a petition, light a candle and pray the rosary. All the rosaries prayed during the Adoration will include the intentions placed in the petition box.
When two or three are gathered prayers are more powerful. Sign up for the Adoration schedule at the back of the church. Write a petition, light a candle and pray!
Catholic Formation
Catholic Formation’s scripture course will resume on Monday with the next session unpacking the mysteries of the Word. We pray that those involved come to a deeper appreciation of the Word in their lives through this course.
Prayer for the Synod
Keep in your prayers this week the Synod on Synodality which begins on Wednesday in the Vatican. Pope Francis and representatives from all over the world will meet and table many of the issues, concerns, realities and situations of our universal Church with the intention of being a listening Church that humbly approaches many of the circumstances of our day in a prayerful and reflective way. If you’d like to join the universal Church in prayer, take a look at the back of this week’s bulletin.
SYNOD on SYNODALITY PRAYER
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down
the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever.
For more information on the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
Men Alive – last chance!
Last Chance to Register. The menALIVE weekend for men is happening NEXT WEEKEND 7-8 October in Stella Maris Primary School, Maroochydore.
Like thousands of other Catholic men who have already been on menALIVE weekends, you will be inspired and encouraged to renew your faith and rediscover God’s purpose in your life. Experienced leaders from menALIVE will be running the weekend. For last minute registration or inquiries, contact Ross McNally (0418 962 837), or contact the Parish Office and speak with Fr Isaac.
Celebrating and Remembering
We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Hugh Mackinlay, Alice Sammut, Ava Ramsay and Gus Simmons who will be baptised this weekend in our Parish.
We prayerfully remember all those who have died, especially Margaret Adena whose funeral rites will be celebrated on Monday 9 October.
May the souls of all our departed priests, religious, parishioners and family members, through the rich mercy of God, Rest in Peace.
Caloundra parish event
You are all invited to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish’s big event to celebrate their Feast Day. Celebrations will start at 4.00pm with a Rosary Procession, followed by 5.00pm Mass in Our Lady of the Rosary Church.
Eucharistic Miracles exhibition of blessed Carlos Acutis
This exhibition will be in the Function Room at Stella Maris Church on the weekend of 21-22 October. Acutis was passionate about the holy Eucharist. “The more often we receive the Eucharist,” Acutis wrote on his website, “the more we will become like Jesus, so that on this Earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”
Note this date in your diary – more details will be available soon.
3 day book & plant sale – 13-15 October
St Vincent de Paul Society (Kawana Conference) are once again holding a fundraising event at the Kawana Catholic Community Centre, Nanyima Street, Buddina. Friday 13 & Saturday 14 October from 8am–2pm and on Sunday 15 October from 9am–1pm. As always, there will be a lot of great things to buy. All proceeds go to assisting the St Vincent de Paul Society (Kawana) in continuing to support and give a hand up to those going through difficult times due to homelessness, domestic violence, high rents and general cost of living. For more information or donations call Maria on 0427 181 089.
