Latest Parish News

Christmas Mass Times

Please familiarise yourself with our Christmas Mass times. Remember that the morning of Sunday 24 Dec considered the Fourth Sunday of Advent but then the evening Masses on Sunday 24 Dec will be considered Christmas Eve Masses, which means that Parishioners are encouraged to attend both the Fourth Sunday of Advent (in violet) Masses and then the Christmas Masses (in green).

You can find our Christmas Mass Times under our Mass Times webpage

Office Closure

The Parish Office will close down on Friday 22nd of December and will reopen on Monday 8th of January. Please note that all Masses will run as usual beginning on Thursday 28 December, except that there will be NO MASSES on Tuesday 26 December and Wednesday 27 December. The normal Mass schedule will resume on Thursday 28 December. If there is an emergency, follow the voicemail prompts and contact the Parish Emergency Phone.

Second Rite of Reconciliation

Last year we had a phenomenal response to the Second Rite of Reconciliation both in Lent and Advent. This time around we hope to cater for another grand event where we humbly come before the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a way of preparing for Christmas. We’ve partnered with the Caloundra Catholic Parish for this time. They will have Reconciliation on Saturday 16 December at Our Lady of the Rosary, Caloundra at 9.00am. This means Stella Maris, Maroochydore will have the Second Rite on Tuesday 19 December, at 5.00pm.

Parishioners are to note that there will not be any Confessions on Saturday morning 16 December at Maroochydore because the priests will be at Caloundra. We warmly invite all parishioners to be part of this spiritual exercise.

MISA DE GALLO

Mark your calendars for the Annual Misa De Gallo. Sunrise these days is before 5.00am so it is not too much of a challenge to get up a bit earlier and come to Stella Maris Church for our annual Misa de Gallo on Saturday 23 December at 4am. The Misa de Gallo translates as “Rooster Mass” and as the first cockcrows are heard at dawn on Saturday 23 December, you are invited to join us for Mass and then a fantastic breakfast. The Misa de Gallo tradition is strong in predominately Spanish speaking countries and our local vibrant Filipino community coordinates this celebration. Tell your friends! Everyone is welcome!

Reconciliation at St Mary’s, Buderim

As we draw closer to Christmas we want to make sure that everyone prepares as well as possible for this sacred time in our Liturgical Year. To that end, Reconciliation will be on offer to those in the St Mary’s community on 20 December after the 7.00am Mass. We especially encourage those who find it difficult to travel to attend these Confessions. See you there!

Bring a chair and a mat—Christmas at Sippy

Families are reminded to bring their mats, camping chairs and hats for Mass outside at Sippy Downs on Sunday 24th at 5pm. There will be plenty of people around so make sure you get there early to find a space and enjoy a few Carols beforehand.

ECUMENICAL CAROLS

On Thursday Night, St Peter’s Coolum had their Ecumenical Carols. Christian communities from around the Coolum area gathered for a night of singing and reflecting on the Christmas message. Fr Will gave a short reflection on the Christmas moment of Jesus’ birth. We thank all those involved in bringing together a successful evening.

The year that was 2023

We’ve had a big year in the Parish with many new things happening. We want to take the time to look back on 2023 and all the good work that happened in the Parish. As we look forward to the future, let’s cherish what we’ve experienced so far as learnings and foundations for a holier life here on the coast as a Parish.

Arrival of Deacon Isaac
Australia Day BBQ
Ministry Recruitment Drive
Lenten Mini Mission
Bishop Tim
Italian Classes
Technology for the Third Age
Craft Group
Exodus 90
Men Alive
Hospitality once a month
Young Adults
Parish Welcome Night
Multicultural Mass
St Patrick’s Day Sing-a-long
Ignatian Spiritual Retreat
24 Hour Adoration
Fr Isaac’s Priestly Ordination
Christmas in July
Catholic Formation Scripture Course
Office Renovations
Consecration to Jesus through Mary
Junior Ministers
What’s the Rosary with Fr Jeremy Santoso
Day Trip to the Cathedral
Fr James Alison Tour
John Canavan Divine Mercy
Br Michael Herry Workshop
Relic of St John Bosco
Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
Sounds of Celebration Fundraiser
Sisterhood Retreat
Sisters of Mary Morning Star
Parish Nativity Play
Ecumenical Carols

Outside of these events we had our Sacramental Life within the Parish. As of the end of 7.00pm Mass on the 17 December we will have celebrated 743 Masses in the Parish, which is more than double the days of the year.

From the 1st Jan– 31st Dec we will have celebrated 776 Masses within the Parish. In that time, as of the 16th of Dec we will have baptised 201 people. From the 1st Jan—31st Dec we will have baptised 206 people within the Parish. We had 95 children receive Confirmation this year and 99 children receive First Holy Communion. We’ve said farewell to about 65 people over the year and celebrated their funerals. Only God knows how many anointings and hours of Confessions we’ve had over the year. We’ve also seen an increase of attendance across our Mass centres over the year.

It’s difficult to measure and put a value on the success of a Parish, but these numbers show us that we have increased our activity and attendance. This is just one way we acknowledge the work of the Lord in our local area and pray that these good works continue. These figures are also a reflection of the hard work that goes into the background, which of course, is not something the clergy do, but these figures are built upon the generosity, passion and enthusiasm of our Parishioners—you! So, Thank You!

All in all, it’s been a wonderful year filled with ups and downs but we thank God for all of it. Thank you, our amazing parishioners, for journeying with us through it all, it’s been a wonderful time. As we prepare for the end of the year, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and safe holidays.

Deacon Michael, Fr Geoff, Fr William and Fr Isaac

Parish Nativity Play

We need you!

With families and holiday makers descending on our community we need as much help as we can get to ensure our Christmas Masses run smoothly and are celebrated with solemnity and joy. If you are involved in any Mass ministries and will be joining us for any Christmas Masses, please record your names on the roster forms at the entrance to the church which will help us ensure all the ministry roles are filled.

Free Calendar

Don’t forget to take home a free Parish Calendar to see some of the photos from the past year and keep up to date with the events of the Parish. There’s not many left, so get in quick!

Religious instruction in State Schools

As we look to the new year, we warmly invite our retired teachers who have spare time and would like to assist in going out to our children in the State Schools for Religious Instruction. If you’re interested and would like to be part of this wonderful ministry, contact the Parish Office to speak to Fr William, or email [email protected]

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

A reminder from the St Vincent’s Conference at Coolum that the Christmas Appeal has well and truly begun. Envelopes will be provided on the pews over the weekend, we invite all parishioners to take the time to donate if possible.

Alternatively direct donations can be made to:
MAROOCHYDORE – BSB 064-786 ACCOUNT 100027046 Reference : Christmas Appeal

or

COOLUM – BSB 064786 ACCOUNT 100027007 Reference : Christmas Appeal

Email your name for a receipt to [email protected] or[email protected]

On behalf of our local conferences, thanks again for your generous support.

Celebrating and Remembering

We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Teghan Esclamado, Gabriele Giannatempo and Lucia Camillieri 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.