Christmas Mass times
As we all plan our Christmas festivities, we invite you to join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at one of our many communities. You can find a Mass centre and mass times on our parish website here.
The Parish office will be closed from 26 December 2022 and will reopen Monday 9 January 2023. Mass will continue once-a-day only at OLR each day at 9.00am (EXCEPT Wednesday!) while the Parish office are taking a well deserved break!
St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal
This weekend is our annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal at Maleny & Caloundra. These funds will be used for two main projects. Firstly, to provide Christmas hampers and gift vouchers for families doing it tough. This is a particularly challenging time of year, and many people look forward to your support to be able to bring the Christmas spirit into their homes. Secondly, your continued generosity enables Vinnies to provide food, fuel, emergency accommodation, educational support and much more for the poorest among us. There will be envelopes on the pews and Vincentians in uniform should you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support.
Celebrating the Gift of Encounter
When we are gifted with the experience of Encountering Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, it is important to realise that while it is an incredible gift to receive, it is never just for us. These experiences are given to be shared with others so as to lead people into a personal relationship with Jesus. This past week, Mary Bicos, a parishioner, received just such an experience, and was open to sharing it with others. Together, let’s create a culture in which we celebrate when peoples’ lives are touched by the Holy Spirit!
“On Tuesday morning, I had just received Communion and on sitting quietly reflecting and asking God/Jesus to help me be a better person, I just had this overwhelming feeling come over me and I started to cry and couldn’t understand why. I have been receiving Communion for a very long time but have never experienced this before. When I mentioned it to a friend, Vivienne, she had a big smile on her face and told me “you were touched by the Holy Spirit!” I felt very humbled. I know when I say the piece “Lord I know I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof but just say the word & my soul shall be healed,” this always nearly brings me to tears. I try to imagine Jesus sitting with his Apostles breaking bread and knowing what is about to happen to Him. I did the Alpha course earlier this year and with all the talk about the Holy Spirit (to be perfectly honest), I didn’t get it – I do now! I believe I was touched by the Holy Spirit and was made aware of/gifted the Divine presence this week.”
Maleny Ladies Group
The Maleny Catholic Ladies Group enjoyed their Christmas lunch last Tuesday. The function was enjoyed by a good attendance of members with great meals and conversation.
The OLR Women’s Group
The OLR Women’s Group finished the year with a wonderful lunch at Dom’s @ Kings Beach. They celebrated their prayer successes as well as their fund-raiser success for Erin and Emily who will be leaving to join the National Evangelisation Team is January. The Women’s Group would sincerely like to thank all the people who donated money and items as well as helped us last Sunday. They will let you know how much they have raised when they get the final amount. Thank you so much for all your support.
- 1st prize $300 hamper – Felicity Jones
- 2nd prize Christmas trees scratchies – Tracey Williams
- 3rd prize Christmas trees scratchies – Bernard who re-donated it back to Erin and Emily.
- 4th prize towels – Lin Johnston
- 5th prize beach chair – Lily (Kay McCall’s granddaughter from Sydney)
- 6th prize $50 voucher to Dom’s @ Kings – Mary Smith
Boxing Day Monday 26 December
The Parish office will be closed from 26/12/22 and reopen Monday 9/1/2023.
Mass will continue once-a-day ONLY at OLR at 9am (EXCEPT Wednesdays!) while the Parish office are taking a well deserved break.
Baby Change table at OLR
For all the parents and carers needing to change their little ones, we have a new baby change table in the equal access toilet in front of the OLR Parish Centre for your convenience. While it would be nice to have facilities like this in all our parish toilet facilities, this addition is an important first step as we look to the future at ways we can be more inviting and welcoming to children and families – one of our six key ministry areas – in the future.
4pm OLR Christmas Eve Mass
For all those who are coming to the 4pm Christmas Eve Mass at OLR, could you please bring a chair. We will have some available but may not have enough for everyone.
Grief Support
If you are experiencing grief through the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship or a major life change of any kind, and you feel that the Grief Support team can be of assistance to you or a family member, please contact [email protected] with your details so a support person can contact you.
All contact is treated with utmost confidentiality.
Family focus on the Season of Advent
It is easy to get caught up in the craziness that surrounds Christmas. I encourage you to keep Christ central in all your CHRISTmas preparations and focus on giving. Some ideas for your families include:
- Make your own Advent Calendar with acts of giving (see the resources available from the Archdiocese of Brisbane for more ideas)
- Focus on the nativity story at night time reading with your child.
- Create your own nativity scene or retell the story with a nativity set you own.
- Write Christmas cards and include a compliment to your friends and family.
- Complete Christmas puzzles and activities, like find-a-word or make shortbread Christmas star cookies.
- Make your own Advent wreath and candles (Brisbane Catholic Education has more ideas here).
The Holy Season of Advent, a message from the Catholic Guy!
The holy season of Advent has begun so let’s prepare our hearts for this special time together. In Advent, we may not give something up like in Lent but I’m inviting you to start something instead.
“You never become who you hope to become, you only become what you do!”
I’m inviting you find a few minutes a day to deepen your walk with God as we prepare ourselves for Christmas and the birth of our Lord and Saviour. If you already receive the Daily Devotional emails each day, you don’t need to do anything except check your inbox or the website each day!! If you don’t receive the Daily Devotional emails each day, it is simple. Just sign up and you will start receiving the Advent emails daily and we will be praying for you!
Bruce Downes, The Catholic Guy
Going Deeper podcast: Advent Special
Listen to this week’s Advent Special Going Deeper Podcast hosted by Shane Dwyer.
If you’re interested in learning more, or just getting some perspective on faith, tune in to the weekly episodes!
Golden Jubilee Wines are still available!
Need a Christmas gift for a loved one? Contact the Parish Office to buy one bottle of wine or a box of 3 (mixed bottles): $20 per bottle
Fr John Dobson Edition – Merlot
Fr John Egan Edition – Shiraz
Fr Kevin Smith – Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Christmas Cards and the Columban calendar 
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Cards & the Columban calendar will be on sale from this weekend until sold out. The Calendar is $10.
In Transition
As a Parish family we welcome Fletcher Paul who will be baptised at OLR Church this weekend. We pray for Anne Sellers who died last week and her funeral was at OLR on the 15th December. May her soul and all the souls of our deceased priests, religious and parishioners Rest in Peace.
Watch Mass live
To watch mass live go to the Caloundra Catholic Parish Facebook page.