LATEST PARISH NEWS

Why Not ???

Reconciliation should be part of everyone’s journey during Advent as we await the birth of the Christ Child.  Here in our Sunshine Coast Parish everyone is invited to celebrate God’s mercy and forgiveness by joining together and celebrating our Communal Rite of Reconciliation this    Monday evening, December 23^rd, at Stella Maris beginning at 5pm.  We are grateful for the generosity of the priests from our neighbouring parishes for assisting us on Monday

Handing on the Faith

The imminent start of another New Year means the start of another Sacramental Programme.  Handing on the faith is the most important mission of our community and assisting parents with their task is something we take seriously as a Parish Family.  All baptised children in grade 3 or above are welcome to join our Confirmation programme and all     children in grade 4 or above, who have celebrated their  Confirmation are invited to join our First Holy Communion  programme.  Parents are invited to go to our parish web page (maroochydoreparish.com.au) for more details about when the programmes start and to access the registration forms.

Advent Adventures 

It has been a busy week for our Junior Ministers and younger members of our Parish Family. Last Monday our Advent holiday programme “Advent Adventures” took place in the Bliss Room and then, after several strenuous rehearsals, the nativity play was performed on Thursday evening to a rousing applause. On behalf of the entire Parish, thank you to Bernie Ballie and the adults who coordinated these activities.  Our Junior Ministers programme resumes next year with the resumption of school.

Catholic Missions Appeal ~ 2024
On behalf of the Missions Office, thank you to all parishioners who generously supported this year’s appeal.  We deposited $4751.00. This is truly a phenomenal effort by our Parish.  Once again, on behalf of all those who directly benefit from your generosity, “Thank You”.

2025 Parish Calender

Available this weekend is our 2025 Parish calendar which contains all the important dates for the coming year. All parishioners, especially registered parishioners, are welcome to take a calendar as you leave Mass today.

Christmas Appeal

The members of our two St Vincent de Paul conferences at Coolum and Maroochydore would like to thank all parishioners for once again supporting the annual Christmas  Appeal.  All money raised by the appeal will remain locally enabling Vinnies to support those on the fringe of our community this Christmas – thank you.  Over these days leading up to Christmas hampers will be delivered to individuals and families in our community and this is only made possible through your generosity. On behalf of your fellow parishioners, the members of our St Vincent de Paul conferences, thank you once again.

Looking to the Future

The completion of the cottage at Buderim and the landscaping that accompanies it will make a dramatic difference to St Mary’s. With this momentum I think it would be good to turn our attention to the interior of St Mary’s and making some improvements to the aesthetics of our place of worship. As previously mentioned, the goal is to replace the carpet, new seating and new sanctuary furniture. Only with your help can this be achieved and we need to raise $98,000.  The invitation is to support this project – perhaps as an individual, a couple, a family or a group might get together and “buy a pew”.  Any support is welcome and appreciated.  If you would like more information please contact Fr Peter on br********@bn*.au   We have a designated account for this project so if you would like to make a direct deposit through on line banking the account details are:

Commonwealth Bank Buderim Project

BSB   064-786

Account Number: 100021388

Thanks for your support!

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he or she will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”

The churches, schools, parish infrastructure of our Stella Maris Parish are a living legacy of the vision, sacrifice and determination of those who handed on the faith to us.  They created the foundation for our Catholic  Community through the generous sharing of their talent, time and treasure.  Without their vision and determination, our parish would look completely different!

One of the challenges we face today is how we honour and build upon the sacrifices and vision of those who handed on the faith to us and gifted us the resources and ability to be who we are today as a Parish Family.  If we are honest, most of us have a deep fear that if we make any substantial gift to the parish it will not be appreciated or valued and in the end be squandered!  It is a legitimate fear!

In other parts of the world, especially in the United States, endowment funds have been established to precisely address this concern.  An endowment fund accepts and invests any contribution and only uses the interest as income.  In  practical terms for a parish endowment fund, the parish uses the annual interest and income for the mission of the church, while the initial contribution remains in place.  So, a person or family has the confidence that their financial contribution will still be working for the mission of the Church and Parish ten, fifty, a hundred years from now!

With the support of the Parish Finance Council, the Stella Maris Endowment Fund has been established.  This fund, independently and professionally managed, will support the work and mission of the  parish in perpetuity.  It is a option for anyone, or any family wishing to make a contribution to the long term mission and maintenance of Stella Maris.   There are information envelopes at the entrance to the church.

By inviting you to consider supporting the Stella Maris   Endowment Fund by remembering the fund in your will or making a pledge today, our hope is that the fund will continue to grow.  In this way, we all have the opportunity to hand on the faith and provide a lasting legacy.

Parish Office

Our Parish Office will be closed from Christmas Eve and will reopen on Monday, January 6^th, 2025.  This will allow our parish staff some well earnt rest after the Christmas rush.

Christmas Novena 

Our Christmas Novena is quickly drawing to a climax with our final Mass on Christmas Eve morning, 6am, this Tuesday, December 24^th.   Since we have started our Christmas Novena last Monday many different groups within our Parish Family have been  involved and helped us celebrate.  Thank you to the Filipino, Gaelic, South pacific, Croatian, South African, Aussie and Indian communities for contributing to our celebrations.  A special thank you to all our coordinators and musicians and technical advisors who have been part of our Christmas Novena journey—we could not journey without your generosity!  Everyone is welcome to join us on this Tuesday morning for Mass as our Christmas Novena concludes and we are guaranteed that the celebrations that follow will truly prepare us for the birth of the Christ Child!!!

Craft Group Stall 

Parishioners were amazed at the amount and variety of items that our Craft group had on display last Sunday   after the Stella Maris Masses.  Our Craft Group currently meets on the fourth Friday of each month at the Bliss Room and next year plans to meet twice a month.  New members are always welcome to join them.  The proceeds from last week sales will help subsidize some of our younger parishioners attend the Ignite Junior Retreat in January On behalf of the members of our Craft Group – thanks for your support and purchases.

Thinking About It ? ? ?

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the journey of enquiry and discernment we invite individuals to go on to discover more about who we are and what we believe as Catholics.   This year 25 adults were involved in our RCIA programme and at the end of their journey made the decision to be baptised and join the Church – their own faith journey brings an additional depth and richness to our Parish Family.    There is already a group preparing to be received into the Church next Easter and in a couple of weeks’ time we will invite anyone else who is not baptised or who is not would like to join the Church to join a new RCIA group.

Stella Maris Parish Office

• Adjacent to the Stella Maris Church
• Office Hours 9am—2pm Weekdays
• Telephone: 5443 3488
• Email: su******@bn*.au
• Website: maroochydoreparish.com.au

At Your Service

• Fr Peter Brannelly
• Fr Isaac Falzon
• Deacon Michael Khoury
• Bishop Brian Heenan
• Bishop Emeritus