LATEST PARISH NEWS

Commissioned to Serve

This weekend, we held a short training and refreshing meeting to welcome new ministers and remind existing ministers of what is best practice and to share our experiences and find solutions.  It was also a chance to ensure that, as registered parishioners, we are all compliant with the necessary blue cards and police checks.   Next weekend, we will commission and pray for all our generous fellow parishioners who are Eucharistic Ministers, Readers and Ministers who visit the housebound and nursing homes.

Musicians

Our parish is growing and music is such an important part of who we are and is a reflection of our faith,  We are blessed with generous musicians and singers who help lead our celebrations each week and at major liturgical celebrations.  Our liturgies would be the poorer without their ministry!  Before the year gets away on us,  we would like to gather together all our musicians and look at the year ahead and reflect upon the possibilities and potential of this important ministry.  All musicians and singers are invited to a gathering on the Stella Maris balcony on this Tuesday, February 11^th at 6pm.

A Stitch in Time

Our popular Stella Maris Craft group is now meeting twice a month this year – so why not join them?  The craft group’s next get together is on Friday February 14^th at 9.45am (following the 9am Mass), meeting in the Bliss Room. It doesn’t matter if you are not yet crafty, just come along for a cuppa and a chat.

Buderim Appeal 

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Buderim Appeal – 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. So I invite you 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 online banking, the account is:

Commonwealth Bank Buderim Project

BSB 064-786   Account Number: 100021388

Sisterhood 2025

We are so excited to invite you to the first Sisterhood gathering for 2025. We will be outlining our plan for 2025, as well as, introducing a couple of new team members. As always we will be creating a beautiful space to grow in our faith. Tuesday February 18^th, 6pm, Stella Maris Church, Maroochydore.  A cuppa and bickies will be provided, come join us!

Endowment Fund

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.

2024 Photobook

In such a diverse and busy Parish Family, so much is going on that sometimes, we can miss some of the good news of our community!   At the entrance to the church you will discover our Parish Photobook for 2024 which attempts to capture some of the ministries and events of our journey of faith during the past year.  If you get a chance, take a look at it after Mass today.

Lenten Group

If you are interested in joining a Lenten Discussion Group this Lent, please record your name and contact details on the   registration form at the entrance to the church – we need to order the resources this week, so your assistance is appreciated.

Children and Families Ministry 2025

With our schools well and truly back for another academic year, welcome to another exciting year for the children and    families of our parish.

Children’s Church: We are aiming to expand Children’s Church to every Sunday at the 5pm Mass. We will then have Children’s Church every Sunday 8am St Catherine’s, 9am and 5pm at Stella Maris and every 3^rd Sunday at St Peter’s Church, Coolum. Children’s Church is an opportunity for the children to explore their faith at a level they can connect with and  understand. The children explore the Gospel reading of that Sunday through various educational mediums (singing, praying, videos and activities) The children are sent forth at the beginning of Mass with a blessing and re-join the congregation at the Lord’s Prayer. All primary aged children are welcome to attend.

Sacramental Program: The 2025 Sacramental Program will begin with our enquiry session for older children for Baptism (7years or older) on Sunday March 23^rd Stella Maris Church at 10:30am.  Parent information night for Confirmation is scheduled on May 7^th, followed by First Holy Communion on July 16^th. All information and registration can be accessed on our website maroochydoreparish.com.au.

Junior Ministers: We have lots of fun planned again this year for our Junior Ministers. Our Junior Ministry involves younger members of the parish, who would like to actively participate by serving at Mass, and there is also lots of fun to be had with your friends. This can be done by being an altar server, a welcomer, a computer operator, or part of the music    ministry. This group meets regularly for pizza, fun games and activities. To join this group or to find out more, contact the parish office on 5443 3488.

Thank you for Serving: Thank you to the many wonderful volunteers who lead and support these ministries throughout the year. If this sounds like something, you would like to be involved in, please contact the office for further information.

HOW TO JOIN

STEP 1: Visit https://maroochydoreparish.com.au/stellatippers/ or scan the QR Code to pay your $40 donation.

STEP 2: Visit https://www.itipfooty.com.au/ and create an account.

STEP 3: Once you’ve logged in with your new account select ‘Join Comp’ and enter the  Comp Number ‘103447’ & Password ‘Stella25!’

STEP 4: Once joined, click ‘My Comps’ > ‘Stella Maris Tipsters’ to start tipping.  

Round 1 closes Sun, 2 Mar.

All members of our Parish Knights of the Southern Cross are reminded of the first meeting for the year on this Tuesday, February 11^th at 7pm at the Bliss room, Stella Maris.   The Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross is a national organisation of Catholic laymen, guided by their Catholic faith who strive to live out their faith by serving the wider community and supporting those in need – all men of the Parish are welcome to join the Knights – why not come along and meet with us this Tuesday? The Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross is a national organisation of Catholic laymen, guided by their Catholic faith who strive to live out their faith by serving the wider community and supporting those in need – all men of the Parish are welcome to join the Knights – why not come along and join us on this Tuesday?

Misa en Españo

On the second Saturday of every month, our Spanish chaplain, Fr Luis, celebrates Mass in Spanish at St Mary’s, Buderim.   It is a great celebration with hospitality and a warm welcome to new faces.  The next Mass in Spanish will be on Saturday, March 8^th , 6.00pm at St Mary’s.  Their Facebook page is Comunidad Catolica Latina de Sunshine Coast.

Następna polska Msza św

On the 4^th Sunday of every month, Mass is celebrated in Polish –   The next Mass in Polish will be on Sunday, February 23^rd at 4.00pm – tell your Polish friends—all welcome. 

Community Meals for the Disadvantaged, Homeless & Vulnerable.

In 2017, in response to the obvious need within our Sunshine Coast community, a ministry was established to provide a meal on a regular basis for those who are vulnerable, homeless or disadvantaged in any way.   The vision and mission of this ministry is driven by Jesus’ word in Matthew’s Gospel: ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of one of these, who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Way back in 2017, it was recognised that it was important not just to give out food but to provide a safe environment where a meal could be shared!  Shared meals bring people together, build community, and create a sense of belonging.  Everyone deserves a sense of belonging!  Also it was recognised that any food that was prepared and shared had to be nutritious and healthy!

So, every Friday evening on the grounds of Stella Maris Church, this ministry takes place.  Currently, there are five teams of volunteers – three parish teams and two from our schools, Siena and Stella Maris, who take it in turns to prepare and serve the meals. These volunteers not only source, cook and serve meals to our friends, numbers of which can reach the 40s, but also sit and chat with them providing a sense of community.

Orange Sky are also in attendance providing their clothes washing and drying facilities.

This ministry is also well-supported by parishioners who make regular financial contributions with which food is purchased. Additionally, many volunteers also provide food items at their own expense. Here, we must acknowledge the support of parishioner Brenda Wolley, who provides delicious home-made baking every week – three containers, often themed eg Christmas, Easter, St Patrick’s Day. Thanks also to Woolworths, Cotton Tree Meats and Crust Bakery at Mountain Creek, who are also very generous with donations and discounts.

We currently have a good number of volunteers on all teams, but any parishioners who would like to express their interest in joining a team when the need arises or would like to find out how to support us , please contact the parish office with your name, email address and phone number.

Exciting News! Launch of 10:10 Maroochydore Youth Group

Calling all young people grades 7-12! Join us for the official launch of  10:10 Maroochydore, our parish youth group!

📅 Date: Sunday, 23rd February

⏰ Time: 3:00 PM 📍

Location: Stella Maris Parish

Come along for an afternoon of fun, faith, and friendship as we kick off this exciting new journey together! Meet the amazing NET team, enjoy delicious slushies, and take part in awesome games!

Inspired by John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” – our youth group is a place to grow, explore, and live life to the fullest.

Bring your friends and be part of something awesome. See you there!

For more info, contact ma**********@ne***********.au or see Fr Isaac.

All Spanish speakers are warmly invited to the weekly Spanish speaking prayer meeting each Wednesday evening, 6pm in the Duffy Room – please let your Spanish speaking friends know.

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