IGNITE CONFERENCE 2024

We wish Fr Isaac and the youth and young adults of our parish attending the annual Ignite Youth Conference in Brisbane this weekend safe travels and a great and lasting spiritual experience.

SIENA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

To mark the 20th anniversary of the opening and blessing of St Catherine of Siena Church at Sippy Downs, Archbishop Mark Coleridge will preside at the 8.00am anniversary Mass on Sunday 13 October.

This is a celebration for the entire Parish and all parishioners are invited to join the Sippy Downs community.

WOMEN’S RETREAT

The annual Women’s Retreat will be at Stella Maris Primary School on Saturday, 23 November.

Once again we will welcome women from across our Parish Family and the wider Sunshine Coast to a day of fun, friendship & formation.

NINE DAY NOVENA

Traditionally here at Stella Maris, we have celebrated the nine day novena leading up to Christmas called Simbang Gabi.

This year, plans are well underway and we are incorporating the many different groups that make up our Parish Family.

This year, the Mass will be at 6.00am 22 December culminating in the great celebration on the morning of 24 December.

All Welcome.

IGNATIUS RETREAT

For five consecutive Mondays beginning on the 14th of October, St Peter’s Coolum will be the venue for this year’s Ignatius Retreat. If you have a desire to deepen your relationship with God and find God’s presence in your everyday life, then this could be a retreat for you!

Where are you now is where God is waiting for you!

There are no special requirements to attend. This First Spiritual Exercises retreat runs over four weeks in daily life. It guides you in prayer and reflection for 30mins each day. The retreat is for anyone who desires to grow in their relationship with God. The retreat was composed by Michael Hansen SJ and is based on the Spiritual Exercises by St Ignatius of Loyola.  Come and experience this journey into divine friendship in your everyday life through a program of personal prayer and attending a weekly gathering of guided spiritual conversation.

What’s Involved

Participants pray at home for 30 mins each day, and meet together with retreat guides within a group once a week for 90 mins, for listening, prayer and spiritual conversation. There are five 90 min group meetings. These sessions are guided by trained providers of the First Spiritual Exercises.

Your Commitment

 Spend 30 minutes daily in personal prayer.

 Willingness to commit to four weeks of the retreat and attend five weekly group meetings.

 Willingness to participate in group sharing. To register or for more information contact [email protected]

FUN DAYS WITH GOD

Last Tuesday our school holiday programme Fun days With God was held at Stella Maris. The perfect weather, energetic adults and NET team were the essential ingredients for the 30 young parishioners to have a great day. Thanks once again to Bernie Ballie for coordinating the programme – just a reminder to all primary school children – our Junior Ministers youth group resumes on Sunday, October 6, 3pm at Stella Maris.

BECOME A SPONSOR 

The Holy Spirit is certainly alive and active in our Parish Family! Currently, we have 3 groups with 34 people enquiring about our Catholic Faith in our RCIA programme. All 34 are on a journey of preparation, discovery and seeking so that they can discern what next step God is calling them to take along their own pilgrimage. As a faith community we need sponsors to accompany them along that journey. Sponsors are a bit like Godparents at an infant’s baptism who likewise promise to be examples of faith for their godchild. We need sponsors for those on the RCIA journey – are you interested? Would you like more information? Please contact Fr Isaac ([email protected] ) or Henry Martin ([email protected]).

SAFEGUARDING IN OUR SUNSHINE COAST PARISH

The safeguarding ministry is about protecting, valuing, and cherishing children, the vulnerable and is at the heart of Christian faith. Our Parish Family takes this ministry seriously. Safeguarding lies at the heart of our duty of care in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese is committed to ensuring that whatever we do in safeguarding is transparent and complies with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, satisfies statutory obligations and is moving towards best practice. The local Safeguarding Team Members play a crucial role in creating safe environments and activities within the parish and ministries or faith communities by ensuring the implementation of safeguarding practices.

For any concerns or information about Safeguarding please Email: [email protected] or speak to one of the team members.

Your Local Safeguarding Team

• Sue Power – St Catherine’s
• Dennis Mulholland – Stella Maris
• Susan Flanagan – St Mary’s
• Carolyn Healy – St Peter’s

HE-BREWS

Last week we enjoyed to taste and aroma of our Latin American community—this weekend you are invited to enjoy our Filipino Community Baristas at HEbrews after the 9.00am Stella Maris Mass.

INFORMATION PACKS

Available at the entrance of all our four churches we have new information envelopes containing details about our Parish Planned Giving programme and the many ways you can support your Parish and our Endowment Fund which will provide your Parish Family with financial security into the future. For new and returning members of our Parish there is a Welcome Pack. It contains valuable information about your new Parish Family.

Please free to take an envelope home with you today.

CRAFT GROUP

Our energetic craft group meets on the fourth Friday of every month. You might have noticed some of their handiwork after Mass over the Father’s Day weekend? The proceeds from the sale were donated towards helping men cope with depression. This month’s gathering of the craft group will be this Friday, 27 September following the 9.00am Stella Maris mass. All crafts and people of any skill levels are most welcome.

BAPTISM PREPARATION EVENING FOR INFANTS 

Those parents with new born babies wishing for them to be baptised are reminded of the preparation meeting which takes place at Stella Maris church on the first Thursday of every month. At this short preparation meeting we outline some of the symbols used at the ceremony, answer any questions and confirm dates. The next baptismal preparation meeting will be on Thursday 3 October beginning at 6.00pm. Please register through our parish website: https://maroochydoreparish.com.au/baptism/

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS

All Parish musicians are reminded of the invitation to attend the Archdiocesan music workshop for Parish musicians. On Saturday, 26 October at All Saints Church at Albany Creek, Liturgy Brisbane is coordinating a music workshop for all involved in parish music ministry. The Presenters are Christopher Trikilis, Director of Music at the Cathedral of St Stephen and Michael Mangan, composer, musician and education consultant at Liturgy Brisbane. All parish musicians are invited to attend and we hope to car pool to ensure as many musicians as possible can be part of the workshop. Please contact Michael Fitzpatrick: [email protected]. As always, we are grateful for the ministry of all our musicians.

PARISH SOCIAL MEDIA

It has never been so easy to get in touch and keep up to date with the many ministries and activities of your Sunshine Coast Parish. Why not get connected with your Parish Family?

INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/stellamaris.parish/

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/mission.stella