At the start of the school holidays we extend a warm welcome to all families who are visiting the Sunshine Coast.
Thank you for joining us today – you are most welcome
Icebergs
In many ways our parish family resembles an iceberg – most of what goes on is unseen, hidden beneath the surface. Our celebrations over the past couple of weeks culminating with Holy Week
and Easter are the result of the dedicated hard work and commitment of so many. So on this Easter weekend thank you to all our sacristans, church cleaners, AV operators, proclaimers of the Word and Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers. Thank you to our musicians and singers, liturgy committee members and all who helped
organize our liturgies in the lead up to Holy Week. From audio visual slides to our liturgical art group who ensured that our senses were attuned to the changing seasons of the church, Lent, Holy Week and Easter is a complicated task in logistics and coordination.
Backing them all are countless unnamed parishioners who, without making a fuss, clean and prepare the church and altar and give their time to ensure that all flows smoothly. A grateful Parish today says thank you.
A Busy Week Ahead
Being the first week of the month all local groups are reminded of your meetings this Wednesday (Coolum 12.00pm, Buderim 2:30pm, Sippy Downs 4:30pm, Maroochydore 6.00pm). Also, the next preparation meeting for the Multicultural Mass is April 6 at 9:30am at the Stella Maris function room – all welcome.
Finally, since next weekend is the first of the month all four of our Sunshine Coast parish communities has a special focus on hospitality.
Feeling Crafty
Since Christmas our very busy Stella Maris Craft Group has been a whirlwind of activity getting ready for Easter Sunday. After the morning Masses at Stella Maris on Easter Sunday the craft group will be holding a sale of the many items they have created – there is only one Catholic Parish in Gaza City and the entire proceeds of the
money raised will be donated to our Catholic brothers and sisters in the Gaza Strip.
Bon Appetit
Each year, Archbishop Coleridge hosts a dinner at Wynberg, his official residence in Brisbane for all young men and women who are discerning a vocation to priesthood or religious life. It is a chance for the Archbishop to meet and share some of his story and talk about some of the current exciting challenges and his vision for our local church. If you would like more information or would like to receive an invitation to the dinner, please contact Fr Isaac or Fr
Peter.
April Meeting
Sisterhood is our Parish ministry for women. Our March meeting was another wonderful night. We were fortunate to have the beautiful NET girls lead us in some worship songs, followed by an outstanding supper of a cuppa and croissants. The evening then took a contemplative tone, where we reflected on the role of Veronica in
the Passion. We look forward to hosting another evening on 23 April. Come join us.
New Kids on the Block?
We live in an incredibly mobile society and there are always plenty of new faces popping up on the Sunshine Coast. In such a large and busy Parish places like ours, it is very easy for new faces to get lost in all the activity and the rush of modern living! The ministry of our Welcome Committee is to extend a warm welcome to new parishioners and provide information about the local Catholic Community.
Several times a year, we host a “Welcome Party” and the next one is scheduled for 16 April in the evening. If you are new to our Sunshine Coast Catholic Family could you please take a welcome pack, which is available at the entrance to the church and complete and return the details so that we can send you an invitation. On behalf of the entire parish, thanks for joining our local Catholic Family.
Sunday Night
Our Sunday night Young Adults group resumes next Sunday evening 7 April after the 5.00pm Mass. It is just a chance to gather for a hour, enjoy each other’s company, have some pizza and spend a little time on adult faith development. All Year 12 students, university students and young adults are welcome to join us.
Misa Mensual en Espanol
To all our Spanish speaking parishioners and friends:
Once a month at St Mary’s Church, Buderim we have Mass celebrated in Spanish. The next Mass will be 13 April at 6.00pm, please join us and tell your friends!
A todos nuestros feligreses y amigos de habla hispana: una vez al mes en la iglesia de St Mary, King Street Buderim, celebramos misa en español. La próxima misa será a las 6 p. m. el sábado 13 de abril. ¡Únase a nosotros y cuéntele a sus amigos!
We will be celebrating a Mass in Spanish every second Saturday of the month.
Gracia
Worth Considering?
If you have a desire to deepen your relationship with God and find God’s presence in your everyday life, this could be a retreat for you! Inner Peace in Darkness and Light is the title of the retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises by St Ignatius of Loyola and will be held on 22 April, 29 April, 6 May, 13 May and 20 May at St Peter’s, Coolum. Everyone is invited and there are no special requirements to attend!
What’s involved:
Participants make a commitment to pray at home for 30 minutes each day, and meet together with retreat guides within a group setting once-a-week for 9 minutes. There are in total five 90 minute group meetings. These sessions are guided by trained givers of the First Spiritual Exercises.
Your Commitment:
Spend 30 minutes daily in personal prayer. Keep a journal. Willingness to commit to four weeks of the retreat and attend the five weekly group meetings. More information will be provided closer to the date or go to [email protected]
The Mullet is making a Comeback!
As soon as most of us hear the word “Mullet” we think of fish and chips and what’s for dinner on Friday! But some of us with longer memories and photos capturing more regrettable fashion styles will also recall “the mullet” as a hairstyle best consigned to the 1970s and 1980’s – it is amazing what we once thought was cool and fashionable!!! Well, the terrifying news is that “the mullet” is making a comeback! Fr Isaac is going to grow a mullet this month to raise awareness of the work of the Black Dog Institute and support their important work.
1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year. In Australia that’s around 5 million people. And roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.
More alarmingly, 9 people in Australia die by suicide every day. Over 75% of mental health problems occur before the age of 25. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44 in Australia.
And over 50% of people don’t seek professional help when they’re struggling with their mental health.
So, this April Fr Isaac will be rocking a mullet to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention and mental health research.
“My mullet and funds raised will help Black Dog Institute drive real change and fund ground-breaking mental health research. This will put digital services and education into the hands of people who need it the most.”
“It would mean a lot to me if you donated to support my mullet. Together, we can create better mental health for all Australians.”
If you would like to financially support my Mullet simply follow this link. Thanks for your support.
Fun Days with God
All primary school aged children are invited to participate in new parish school holiday activities called “Fun Days with God”. These days occur once each school holidays. Our first day for 2024, “Easter Capers” will be held on Monday 8 April from 9.00am-3.00pm at the Stella Maris Church.
It will be an exciting day of fun activities- craft, bible stories, songs, prayer, drama, play and games all based on some of the stories from the Easter Season.
Children need to bring their own morning tea, lunch and hat. The cost of the day is $10.00 per child with a maximum of $20.00 per family.
We have limited spaces so you will need to contact the parish office to register before Tuesday 2 April.
High school students are also welcome to come and assist on the day.
For more information or to register please email Bernie Baillie at [email protected] or phone the Parish Office 07 5443 3488.
Junior Ministers
On Sunday 7 April, we will have another “Fun and Formation” session for all Junior Ministers within our parish, or those interested in becoming Junior Ministers.
Junior Ministers are young people who would like to be involved in ministry within our parish, either as an altar server, musician, computer operator, or on our welcome committee. They are usually young people who have made their First Holy Communion, or for those who will be preparing for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist this year and would like to serve in our parish in the future.
Training for all the Junior Ministers (new and experienced) will begin in the Stella Maris Church at 2:30pm , followed by our fun, social get-together playing games in the Stella Maris Church function room (the room next to the church kitchen) to get to know each other. The day will finish at 4:30pm, that way you can join us for Sunday night Mass at 5:00pm. Your parents can either pick you up at 4:30pm and join us for Mass or pick you up after Mass at 6:00pm.
During the afternoon we will be having a snack of pizza and a soft drink. We need to know numbers in advance for catering purposes so could you please email Bernie Baille at [email protected] or ring the Parish Office on 07 5443 3488 by 3 April.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptismal preparation session will be held on this 4 April at 6.00pm in Stella Maris Church.
At this short meeting the symbols of baptism will be explained, questions answered, and baptismal dates finalised. To book and receive the paper work before the meeting, please call or email the Parish office .
The countdown is on!
Registrations are now open for Confirmation. If you have a child in Year 3, or older, please enrol online via our parish website. Parent Information night will be held at the Stella Maris Church, Maroochydore on 24 April at 5.00pm. Please take this opportunity to register your child by visiting our parish website: enrol your child.
Divine Mercy
Next weekend is the Second Sunday of Easter and is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Nambour Parish has organised devotions beginning at 1:30pm and Mass at 3.00pm.
St John’s Parish: 177 Currie Street Nambour.
All welcome
Our Pilgrimage of Faith
We welcome into God’s Family, the Church, Oskar Donehue and Tony Jimmeson who will be baptised at Easter.
We welcome Emily Jimmeson, Buntie Sutherland Pettifer, Fiona Mary Henshaw, Nathan Harris, Quang Thien Le, Scott Richardson and Kenneth Grant into full communion with the Church this Easter.
We pray for Shayne Hooper, Winifred Wilson and Tony Turra and all those who have recently died, especially Aida Manuela Hulse, whose funeral rites will be celebrated on 16 April. May Aida’s soul and the souls of all our departed priests, religious, family and friends, through the rich mercy of God, Rest in Peace.
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