LATEST PARISH NEWS

THANKYOU

As we leave 2024 behind and look forward to better days in 2025, we still have many things to be grateful for as a Parish Family. Despite all the financial uncertainty and the constant challenge of the cost of living, we are blessed with many parishioners and friends who generously gave of their time and talent to keep our Parish motoring along – for this we are eternally grateful. How many ways can a faith community say thank you to so many people?

Sacristans: They arrive early and set up for the liturgy. They are so efficient we hardly notice them; and they clean up and close up! Also, for those who support our sacristans – who wash and iron; clean and repair; who quietly, behind the scenes, keep everything ready and working. Merci

Music Ministry: Where would our liturgy be without music? If it is true that to sing is to pray twice then we particularly thank all our musical volunteers for leading us throughout the year. Danke

Liturgical Ministers: From those who proclaim the Word of God to those who serve at the Altar of God, we are blessed. Thank you also to all who are commissioned from our Sunday Masses to take Holy Communion to those who cannot be with us to celebrate the Eucharist – you powerfully remind us of how big God’s family is! Xièxiè

Church Environment Decorators: We don’t take for granted the creative artists/decorators who add colour and verve to the ambience of the liturgical space. They wake us up to the different feel and texture of the liturgy as our senses are alerted to the mystery we are about to celebrate. Grazie

Technology & Communication: Our parish has moved with the flow of current technology. From the creation of our new
parish website to those who volunteer with our PowerPoints each Sunday – Gràcias

And you: Who, like St Joseph, quietly support and encourage, who trust enough to build up and not tear down, who are
prepared to be part of the great drama of faith and parish life – may the blessings of the Christ Child be with you and yours as together we all embark on the great adventure of 2025.

RCIA

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.

OFFICE CLOSED

Our Parish Office is closed during these days after Christmas to allow our parish staff the chance to access some well earnt family time.   The Parish Office reopens on Monday, January 6^th.

INFANT BAPTISM

The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will be on Thursday, February 6^th  at 6.00pm, at Stella Maris Church.  At this short meeting we explain the significance of the symbols used in the sacrament, answer any questions and complete relevant paperwork.  To book in for the meeting and receive the necessary paperwork please go to the parish webpage (maroochydoreparish.com.au).

DATES FOR 2025

As the New Year begins, we invite parents and families who are interested in their children receiving Confirmation and First Holy Communion, to visit our Parish website and mark the dates for the parent meetings, preparation sessions and dates of the ceremonies on your Calendar. Simply follow the links to either Confirmation or First Holy Communion on the Parish website where the dates for 2025 are displayed. We look forward to celebrating these stages of faith with you this year.

INFORMATION

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 feel free to take an envelope home with you today.

ANOINTING MASS

Our first Anointing Mass for 2025 will be on Friday, February 7^th at the 9am Stella Maris Mass.  Following the Anointing Mass everyone is invited to morning tea.  Please invite your neighbours and friends.

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