Ordinary Time

The Nativity Scene has been put back in its box, the Christmas decorations have been taken down, the green vestments indicate we have returned to Ordinary Time, back to school advertisements remind us that we have left the Christmas season behind us and our focus is well and truly the business of 2024! It is the same for us as a Parish.

The scramble to tie down dates for different events and ceremonies provides plenty of stress for everyone at this time of the year! It is very appropriate, therefore, at the start of the year for our generous volunteers to recommit and to extend an invitation to fellow members of our Parish Family to consider being part of the different ministries of our large and diverse Parish Family. We all have been given different gifts and talents, not to hide them under a bucket but to share them and in doing so build up our community. Attached in our hard copy bulletin newsletter this week is our annual Volunteer Form for 2024 – you can also find it here

Have a read of it and see where God is leading you! Take a few moments to complete it online or place the paper-based newsletter form on the collection plate, or return it to the Parish Office.

Next Saturday morning, 20 January at 10.00am all existing and new readers, musicians, Communion Ministers and Communion Ministers to the Sick, as well as other volunteers are invited to morning tea at the Stella Maris Function Room. We will then break into ministry groups to welcome and support new volunteers and to remind ourselves what is best practice in our ministry.

On behalf of the entire Parish Family, a big thank you to all our generous ministry members – you truly are the mortar that binds our community together. While talking about dates, you might be terrified to be informed that Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is only 30 days away (Wednesday, 14 February). Once again, we have many opportunities to make this important season meaningful including our annual Lenten Mini Mission, Lenten groups and the different liturgical exercises that accompany this season.

Also, we invite parents and families who are interested in their children receiving Confirmation and First Holy Communion to visit our Parish website pages and mark the dates of these events on your Calendar. We look forward to celebrating these dates with you in the coming year.

Arrivederci

We live in an extremely mobile society, and especially here on the Sunshine Coast there are always people coming and going. If you are new to our Parish, or if you are reconnecting with the Church, we would love to welcome you more formally to our Parish Family. You will find “welcome packs” at the entrance of our churches, and if you complete and return the forms we will be in contact with you. Once again, welcome.