Newsletter
1st Sunday in Advent
30th November 2008
Getting Off to a Good Start ADVENT HAS ARRIVED AGAIN. The Church has set aside the “old year” and we are embracing Liturgical Year 2009. Signs of the times are evident in the four parish churches where Advent colours are prominent. The four candles assist us to progress our way through the first four weeks of the New Year as we prepare for the imminent birth of our infant Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Always Be Watchful! THE CHURCH NEW YEAR BEGINS and the three scripture readings for today’s Mass encourage us to look towards the future. The gospel readings particularly present this theme (Mark 13:33) “Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.” This year the Church presents us with the scripture cycle for Year where St Mark’s gospel has been chosen, as it is today. Economic and financial caution is noticeable at the present time. In this climate it’s a reasonable guess that many people will be more inclined to restrict wasteful and extravagant behaviour. Is this more likely to become a year for responsible spiritual reckoning?
“The Giving Place” At Stella Maris Church Maroochydore and St Peter’s Coolum there will be baskets at the side of the altar at the “Giving Place” for you to place non perishables and gifts for children up to 12 yrs (unwrapped). These will be distributed by the St Vincent de Paul Society on Friday 19th December. The last weekend for donations is 13/14 Dec. The Society thanks you for your generosity to people who are less fortunate than us.
Stella Maris Rosters The rosters for December through to February (excluding Christmas) are ready for collection this weekend at Stella Maris Maroochydore and St Catherine’s Sippy Downs. Please make sure you pick up your copy. Thank you to the people who support the rosters at holiday time when many folk go away.
Farewell to Fr Gabriel Kalu YOU’RE WELCOME at the Stella Maris Presbytery this morning (Sunday) between 10 am and 12.30 to farewell Fr Gabriel and to assure him how much his priestly ministry has been for you. He departs this afternoon for Lagos where he will wait for a day for Archbishop Bathersby to arrive. On Tuesday they will fly together to Umuahia to take part in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Fr Gabriel’s diocese. Fr Gabriel’s presence among us has broadened our vision of the universal church. We had been taking for granted the missionary apostolates of Australian priests and religious working in other countries, in particular, third world countries. We had less of an idea of priests from those same countries ministering among us. During the last year Stella Maris parish has welcomed Fr Teri, from the Philippines, and Fr Gabriel from Nigeria. Their ministries have opened our eyes.
Each week during Advent a Place Mat will be available to you to take home to use when your family gathers for a meal There is a ritual before dinner you might like to use, including a different prayer for each week. The Place Mats are at the door of your church.If you are visiting on holidays and have small children please make sure they get a Childrens’ Newsletter. These are also at the front doors of the churches.
Spirituality News Gatherings for December “Advent Twilight Retreats” 5.30 – 8.30pm on the following days Buderim – Wed 3rd Coolum – Wed 10th Maroochydore – Wed 17th Please bring something to contribute to a shared meal. We will take some time for reflection, prayer and discussion, followed by a meal together. RSVP 54433488 by the Monday before. Sr. Helen
First Friday Holy Hour THIS WEEK IT IS ON FRIDAY in Stella Maris church 7.45—8.45am. We are trialling this new time because the old time arrangement (between 10 and 11 am) resulted in attendance with sparse numbers. Or is it that people have moved away from traditional devotional ways of prayer? There is also First Saturday Mass in the Stella Maris Children’s Chapel at 7.45am this Saturday. To ensure that these rituals continue it is important for parishioners and visitors to demonstrate sound support.
St Mary’s Annual Christmas BBQ Saturday 6th December 2008 6.00pm BYO drinks; soft drinks available for the children.. Everyone from the parish is invited to come to this. It’s a good way to meet people from other parts of the parish.
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Groups within the parish
Charismatic Prayer Group; Little Rock Bible Study; Craft; Cenacle; Friends at Court; Grief Support; Jubilarians; Junior Ministers; El Shaddai
Knights of the Southern Cross; Liturgy Groups ; Mah Jong; Play Groups-Stella Maris; St Peter’s & St Catherine of Siena; RCIA
RE Teachers in State Schools; Rosary Group; St Vincent de Paul-Coolum & Maroochydore
Stella Maris Golf; Sippy Seniors; Welcoming group; Church Cleaners; Musicians; Social Justice—Coolum; Spirituality groups
Christian Meditation, El Shaddai.