LATEST PARISH NEWS

Join a Ministry

Following on from last weekend’s Ministry Sunday appeal, we are calling upon the generosity and faith of all members of our Parish Family to be part of the ministerial life of our Catholic Community. We all have been given gifts that differ, and along our pilgrimage of life, we are challenged to share those gifts! Please take a moment now and either recommit or put your hand up to be part of a ministry. Simply complete the details and either place it on the collection plate or hand it into the office. From being involved in our weekly liturgical life to reaching out to our brothers and sisters, who cannot join us on a Sunday, to simply helping ensure that our community runs smoothly and is responsive to the changing challenges we face – we all have a role to play. So that we follow best practice, and there is some uniformity in our liturgical celebrations, all Readers, Extraordinary Communion Ministers and Communion to the sick and housebound, who recommit or sign up, are asked to attend a short, 45-minute gathering and formation meeting on next Saturday, February 8th at 9:30am.

Musicians                        

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! At the beginning of the year, we would like to gather together 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 Tuesday, February 11th at 6pm.

The Return of the Junior Ministers’ Youth Group

We are excited to announce that the Junior Ministers’ Youth Group is returning for another year of fun and community service! Our first session will be held on next Sunday, 9th February, at 3:00PM in the Stella Maris Church. The Junior Ministry is open to all younger members of the parish from Year 3 and above who are eager to actively participate in serving our community. Opportunities include training to become an altar server, welcomer, reader, computer operator, collector, or part of the music ministry. While our primary focus is on serving others, we also ensure there’s plenty of fun to be had with friends! We will meet every Sunday during the school term at 3:00PM for training, pizza, fun games, and activities. If this sounds like something you’d love to be a part of, don’t wait! Register now by visiting the Stella Maris Maroochydore Parish Website. For more information, or if you are an adult interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Bernie Baillie at bb*********@gm***.com.

RCIA

Surely one of the incredible, spirit filled experiences of our Parish Family last year were the number of adults who journeyed through the RCIA programme and were baptised and welcomed into the Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the journey of enquiry and discernment. It’s a time when we invite individuals to go on to discover more about who we are and what we believe as Catholics. There is already a group preparing to be received into the Church this coming Easter, and we are starting a new group this week – if you are interested or if you would like more information—hurry— please contact Fr Isaac at the Parish Office 5443 3488 or email fa*****@bn*.au

The Feast of the Presentation

Forty days after the birth of Christ, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation, which coincides with this weekend. According to the Law of Moses, every firstborn son belonged to God. Jewish parents were to bring their son to the Temple and offer a small sacrifice in thanksgiving. In this weekend’s gospel we meet two holy people, Simeon and Anna, who have waited all their lives for their encounter with Jesus. Simeon praises God and calls Jesus a “light for revelation to the Gentiles.” This points to Jesus’ mission to save not only Israel but also all nations. So, on this first weekend of the month when hospitality is traditionally the focus of our Parish Family, we invite all parishioners and visitors to enjoy each other’s company after Mass. But this feast also reminds us that the light of revelation that Simeon spoke about impacts the lives and illuminates the actions of all people of faith here on the Sunshine Coast.

Baptism Guidelines All You Need To Know

Firstly, registration for all baptism is via our website : (maroochyoreparish.com.au) Our online registration is very easy with 4 basic steps; 1. Fill out the online enquiry form 2. On receipt of your enquiry, parish staff will email you an enrolment form to be completed and returned with a copy of the child’s birth certificate 3. To comply with government legislation both parents must sign the parental authority 4. Choose a godparent (must be Catholic 16 years or older in good standing with the Church).

Infant Baptism: 0 – 6 years

• Parent(s) attend Baptismal Preparation first Thursday of the month. The next meeting is this Thursday, February 6th .
•  Baptisms are celebrated Saturday morning 10am Stella Maris Church.
• Other Churches and times during Mass are available on request.

Older Children Baptism: 7 – 15 years

• Attend 2 preparation sessions (Sunday 23 March & 25 May, 10.30am, Stella Maris Church).
• Candidate is required to attend 5 Masses and complete a baptism workbook.
• Baptisms will take place during Mass on the first Saturday of the month at 8am, Stella Maris Church, Maroochydore.

Older Children: 16- 17 years

• This age group will participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Youth. Dates will be set according to need.

Adults aged 18 years and over:

• Register via the Becoming a Catholic / RCIA drop dow menu on the website. Hurry—A new group is about to begin!

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