PRISON SUNDAY
The Church in Australia marks Prison Sunday this weekend. Prison Sunday commenced in 2016, during the Year of Mercy, as an initiative of Pope Francis to observe the Jubilee for Prisoners. “We need to nourish the roots of our hope so that they can bear fruit … despite whatever evil we have done. There is no corner of our heart that cannot be touched by God’s love,” Pope Francis said at the time.
Each year on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church in Australia marks Prison Sunday, bringing attention to the plight of prisoners and highlighting the important work that prison chaplains undertake.
“Let’s think of our incarcerated brothers and sisters, and let’s think about the tenderness of God for them and pray for them so that they may find in that window of hope a way out toward a better life.”, Pope Francis has said.
For those that are interested in being part of the Prison Ministry visits on Fridays, please contact Fr Will or through the Parish Office.
Parish WELCOME NIGHT
After our Monday evening Mass at 5:30pm on 20 November, we will host our Parish Welcome Night. The Sunshine Coast has seen an increase of residents which has also included new parishioners to our worshipping communities. We want to take the time to welcome you and include you in the life of the parish through the many different activities and ministries throughout the parish. More importantly, we want to hear your story and get to know you. This coming Welcome Night we also include our newly baptised brothers and sisters along with their family. If you haven’t yet filled in a Welcome Form and you’re new, take one from the entrance of the church or log onto the website and follow the links to the page ‘I’m New’ and fill in our online form. Welcome to the parish!
Parish Thank You Party
We are blessed to belong to a diverse faith community that is comprised of so many generous and willing members. One of the risks all large communities (like ours) is to take the ministry of our fellow parishioners for granted – we are who we are, because of all who serve, and who make sure everything flows smoothly! Across our parish there are so many who share their time and talent week-in and week-out ensuring that all our ministries and outreach reflect who we are called to be. Not every parish community is as blessed as we are! Once a year, just before the onslaught of the busy Christmas season, we like to invite everyone who is on a roster or involved in any form of ministry to Stella Maris Church, Maroochydore. It is a chance for all of us to gather, reconnect and give thanks. So, if you are on a roster or involved in any way, in any aspect, of the running of our four faith communities, please accept this invitation to our pre-Christmas appreciation on Tuesday, 22 November, from 5.00 to 7.00pm. Please bring a plate of dessert to share. For catering purposes, please RSVP to the Parish Office (5443 3488) the number of people who will be attending. See you there!
SISTERHOOD – parish women’s retreat
We’re only two weeks away from our parish women’s retreat on 25 November at Stella Maris Primary School. We want to extend this invitation to all women within the parish to connect with and journey alongside other like-minded Catholics. This is a wonderful opportunity for the women of our parish, and it’s through these encounters that we will come alive as a Church and as people of faith. We’re blessed to have Karen Doyle, founder of the Genius Project and Genius Podcast, speaking to us over the weekend. If you would like to learn more about this amazing event, check our parish website for more details, and to register – follow the links to our Sisterhood page. The weekend begins at 8:30am at finishes at 4.00pm. The cost is $30 per person.
Just call the Parish Office if you have any food all allergies etc. We look forward to seeing you there.
With expectant hearts – advent resource
We’re only a few weeks away from Advent now and Evangelisation Brisbane has released a resource to assist us in this time of preparation for the Christ event at Christmas. If you’re interested in getting your hands on this resource, come by the Parish Office to secure yourself a copy. There aren’t many copies available, so get in quick!
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THE WINE AGAIN?
Many people have asked this question of our clergy over the past few weeks. As many of us recall, our main hindrance at the time was COVID. Obviously, the virus is still circulating, but we would like to reintroduce the Communion Cup to our communities across the parish. We will begin again with the Communion Cup on the Feast of Christ the King, 26 November. A few things to keep in mind as we begin again. If you feel “under the weather” you should refrain from the chalice. The practice of intinction (dipping of Communion host into the chalice) is NOT permitted. This is seen as a self-service which goes against the meaning of Communion and sharing in the common cup as brothers and sisters. Remember also, that receiving from the chalice is a meaningful experience, but it is not necessary to receive the fullness of Christ in Holy Communion, so if you do not wish to take from the chalice then that is fine. As we draw closer to the date, we look forward in anticipation to joining with the Apostles who themselves received the cup from Christ. May we come alive in faith and be more like what we consume in the Eucharist.
Greetings all – from Fr Geoff
For the next two months I’ll be helping out round the parish with Masses and other sacramental ministries until
Fr Peter returns. Running a parish is more demanding than years ago, and thankfully, in retirement, I’m free from that! So I will have time on my hands. If anyone would like me to knock on their door for a home visit just for a chat about whatever – plus a coffee and biscuit – I should be able to comply. It used to be called Home Visitation in the old days. Phone the parish office and I’ll give you a call to arrange a date and time.
Safeguarding team members
Safeguarding is an essential role in the parish community. As a parish, we’re dedicated to providing safe spaces for our children and vulnerable adults but we need your help. We’re looking for representatives from each parish community to be part of a team that cares for our Parish community. If you’re interested and would like to learn more about how you can get involved, contact the Parish Office to speak to Fr Will or send an email to [email protected] with your details.
Advent Group – St Catherine’s
An invitation is being extended to the parish for anyone wanting to participate in the St Catherine’s Advent Group. The Advent group will use the same resource from Evangelisation Brisbane called ‘With Expectant Hearts.” The cost of each booklet is $6.00.
Meetings will take place on the Wednesday evenings during Advent on 29 November, 6, 13 and 20 December from 6:30pm-7:30pm.
If you’re interested in joining the group contact Helen Matchett on 0403 617 512 or email [email protected]
Catechism Corner
What happened to Confirmation names? It’s long been the custom in the Catholic Church that the Confirmand would take on the name of a saint during Confirmation. Yet, the naming after a saint has never been an official part of the sacrament. The basic thought behind this custom was really to adopt a heavenly patron or to honour a saint to whom one had a special devotion. Some dioceses would opt for reaffirming the name given to you at your Baptism. As parents themselves put time and effort into the process, and the name itself has become part of your identity, people would often come to appreciate the name they were given.
When we think about Baptism, the formula itself establishes a connection to Confirmation.
At Baptism we use ‘N. I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.’
At Confirmation we use ‘N. Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’
Both begin with the name of the individual as a way of identifying and claiming them as God’s own. The naming of a saint is still around but some dioceses and parishes might differ in this practice.
Do you have a key Fob?
During COVID, many key fobs to the parish doors were disabled because of the restrictions. When access was again allowed, some reactivated their fobs but others have just remained inactive. We were hoping to gather as many fobs as possible back from parishioners who are no longer using theirs. If you’re someone who has a fob and no longer uses it, would you kindly return it to the Parish Office? We’ll return the bond you paid to you. Thank you!
Farewell to Pauline
If you’ve come by the office, you will have encountered the amazing staff we have in the parish. It’s with great sadness then that we say farewell to our front lady and operations queen, Pauline Leahy. Pauline will take up a wonderful role in Bundaberg to be closer to her family and friends, and although we’re happy she gets to connect again with loved ones, the feeling is bitter sweet. We thank Pauline for all she has done for this Parish and the community. Pauline will see out the end of November and then will make her way up to Bundaberg. She will be sorely missed but we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Parish administrator position
With the departure of Pauline as our Parish Admin, a new position has opened in the Parish Office. We invite applications to be submitted via the Archdiocesan website under the tab ‘Careers.’ The job description will give you an indication of the outline of the role.
