Sunday Mass
When the COVID pandemic struck, I joined other bishops in deciding for a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Now that the pandemic seems to be receding, it is good for us to reflect not only upon the Sunday obligation but upon the meaning of Sunday itself. To call the first day of the week Sunday recalls the Roman name, but from the first Christians always called it the Lord’s Day, in honour of the Risen Christ who is the true light of the world and the source of life. The Lord’s Day was the weekly Easter and the weekly Pentecost, because on the first day Jesus Christ rose from the dead and breathed the Holy Spirit into the Church. It was the day that looked back to the first day of creation and forward to the last day of the Lord’s return in glory. Even in times of persecution, Christians remained faithful unto death to the assembly of the Lord’s Day. The spontaneous practice of the early days eventually became Church law. Yet it is not law that draws us to Mass but the Lord’s desire to eat the Passover with us (cf Luke 22:15).
The deepest reason we go to Mass on Sunday is not because we have decided or because the Church’s requires it but because we are drawn there by his desire for us. In coming to Mass, we surrender to the Lord’s love and let ourselves be drawn by him who wants to speak to our heart and share his feast with us.
Therefore, in the Archdiocese of Brisbane from Pentecost Sunday of this year (28 May) the pandemic dispensation will be withdrawn and the Sunday obligation will be restored, so that all of us, responding to the Risen Lord’s call, may say with one heart and voice, “This is the day which the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118:24).
Archbishop Mark Coleridge
Become a Pastoral Care Volunteer
Southern Cross Care Aged Care are seeking expressions of interest from caring and supportive parishioners to join their Pastoral Care Volunteer Program. Help make a difference to the lives of aged care residents at their Caloundra home by helping residents with their emotional or spiritual needs. Successful applicants will take part in an 8-week training course (commencing July 2023, and only a few hours per week) and become a part of a great community of spiritual care volunteers. For further information contact Kristie McManus on 0437 717 153 or download the brochure 
Attention all Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to the Sick and Housebound
On Wednesday 31 May in the Egan Room at 9.00am, additional/refresher training will be provided to all ministers and to those who would like to be trained.
All are welcome and morning tea will be provided. In this short one hour session, Fr Josh will be discussing the essential elements of this very important ministry. This will assist us all to be unified in our delivery of the most blessed sacrament. There will be some time allocated for questions. Please feel free to call Vivienne on 04098976673 if you require further information.
Celebrate Reconciliation Week
Thursday 1 June 10.00am–11.00am at Landsborough Museum (4 Maleny St Landsborough), join canoe builder and First Nations local, Lyndon Davis, and gain a rare insight into the Gubbi Gubbi tradition of bark canoe building. Morning Tea will be provided. For more information call: 07 5420 8600. Registration is essential – register now.
Celebrate our diverse faith
There was plenty of enthusiasm at our initial planning meeting for the Multicultural Mass which we will celebrate on Sunday, June 18th . Mark it in your diary! Everyone is invited! The gathering divided into two groups with one concentrating on the liturgy and working towards ensuring that the Mass will be a reflection of the colour, movement and diversity of our Parish Family and our Catholic faith and traditions. The second group looked at the daunting challenge of the food and cultural extravaganza that will take place around Stella Maris Church immediately after the Mass. Our hope is for everyone to share in the culinary uniqueness and musical traditions of the many groups that make up our Parish. Now, if we are expecting over 400 at the Mass, that is a lot of dance and a lot of food!!! We invite and encourage ALL parishioners from all churches specially those who have come from abroad to contact Trish Harding to see how we can be involved. The Mass is open to all to celebrate our diversity.
Hours of Grace!
Hours of Grace has started and will finish at 6.00am on Sunday 21 May.
It’s not too late to come along for the restart at 7.00pm tonight on Friday 19 May.
There will be another pause on Saturday 20 May at 8.30am, with a restart at 9.30am, Pause at 3.30pm Saturday 20 May and a restart at 6.15pm, finishing Sunday 21st May at 6.00am.
Name Badges
If you would like a name badge please email the parish office with your name and phone number. The badges cost $5 each and please specify if you want a pin or magnet backing!
Mass in Portuguese
On Sunday 7 May, the Sunshine Coast Brazilian Community gathered for the very first time to celebrate a Portuguese Mass at OLR church, Caloundra. Thank you to Fr Francisco for presiding and to Aline and Leandro Goncalves – OLR parishioners – for organising this new Mass. Mass in Portuguese will be celebrate at OLR church on the first Sunday of every month at 11.30am – all are welcome!
Corpus Christi Procession
Are you proud of your Catholic faith? Are you looking for an opportunity to bear witness and help “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19)?
On the Feast of Corpus Christi (June 11), join over 4000 other Catholics making a public testimony of faith by walking in a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Brisbane city. It will be a colourful display as groups gather from all across the Archdiocese of Brisbane to represent their parish or cultural community.
The Corpus Christi Procession will start and end at the Cathedral of St Stephen and feature prayers, rosary, hymns and Benediction with proceedings led by Archbishop Mark Coleridge.
Bus transport is available. Keep your eye on this website for more details as they become available. Download the brochure Corpus_Christi_DL_flyer for more information.
Date: Sunday, 11th of June
Time: 2pm
Cost: Free
Location: Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane City
Respite & Residential Care
Come along to a free seminar and expo for anyone interested in planning ahead.
- Presenters and Organisations’ staff will discuss services
- What happens in respite and residential care?
- Where are respite and residential aged care facilities?
- Understand government policy, costs, legalities, staffing, the family carer’s role, palliative care, advocacy
- Doubts or concerns?
- Who can help?
For more information download the flyer: Respite and Res Care Flyer
Activities for the week across our Parish
Sunday 21 May – Ascension of the Lord
- Children’s liturgy.
Monday 22 May
- Adoration/Benediction 9.30-10.30am OLR Church.
- Craft Group every Monday in the Parish Office Egan room from 9.00am-12.00pm. Contact Helen McGlynn 0409 050 722.
- Charismatic Prayer Group gathers the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month 7-8.30pm in the Parish Centre. Contact Dorothy for details – 0403 175 714.
Tuesday 23 May
- Rosary & Prayers each week 9.30-10.30am in OLR church following Mass.
- Confirmation preparation class in the OLR church 5.00-6.00pm.
- The Caloundra Cards Group meets at the Dobson room in the Parish Centre from 9-12noon. Call Helen for more information on 0410 392 526.
- Women’s Prayer and Friendship Group meet every Tuesday in the Parish Centre from 9.30-11.00am, all welcome. Enquiries contact Vivienne 0409 897 673.
- Maleny Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 8.30am, followed by Mass at 9.00am.
Wednesday 24 May
- Art class with Jude 0421 777 508 each week – OLR Egan room 10.00am-12.00pm.
- Young Adults – 6.00-8.30pm in the Egan Room. Ph Kath Ball 0418187914.
- Kawana Catholic Women’s League meeting is on this Wednesday 24th May at the Good Shepherd Centre Kawana at 11am.
- Maleny will have cards in the Pat Daley Centre on Wednesday 24 May at 6.00pm.
Thursday 25 May
- Rosary & Prayers each week 9.30-10.30am in OLR church following Mass.
- Members of Caloundra’s Our Lady of Good Counsel Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society meet at the Parish Centre at 9.40am. New members welcome. Further enquiries please contact Helen on 0475 859 215.
Friday 26 April
- Alpha 9.30am-11.30am Dobson room.
- Hours of Grace starts at 9.30am
Saturday 27 May
- Reconciliation at OLR church 8.30am
Sunday 28 May – Pentecost
- There will be NO Children’s liturgy at OLR on Sunday 28 May.
In Transition
As a parish family we welcome Hunter, Kianah & Kruz Willis who will be baptised in our Parish this weekend.
We pray for Margaret Griffiths who died last week and her funeral will be on Friday 26 May at G&W. May her soul and all the souls of our deceased priests, religious and parishioners Rest in Peace.
Holy Land Pilgrimage – save the date!
For more enquiries: Please ring Cristina on 0408 808 992 or complete this expression of interest form.