Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times on our webpage
Children and Families Ministry
Welcome to our last update for 2023. This year has flown by so fast!
Our Children and Families team have already started planning for 2024. Last Saturday, a strategic planning day for the coming six-month period was held. A huge thank you to Mark, Donna and Bruce who attended with other Parish ministry teams.
Some of the goals identified for the Children and Families team include:
- Formation of a Baptismal Preparational team
- Identify opportunities for more Collaboration between Church and School communities.
- Continue to find ways to Welcome and include families as part of our Faith Community.
- Facilitation of Kids Encounter Days & Kingdom Kids activities.
On behalf of the Children and Families team, we thankyou for all the support and prayers we have received. If you are interested in helping our team in any way for the coming year please contact the parish office. We wish you and your families a Christmas filled with hope, joy & peace.
Julie Gerhardt
Children’s Liturgy
OLR church Children’s Liturgy has now finished for the year and will recommence in
Term 1 of 2024. Wishing all our families a happy, safe and Holy Christmas.
If you’re looking for creative, fun and faith-filled ways to reflect on the upcoming liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas with your children why not download our Advent Calendar or explore more resources on the Archdiocese of Brisbane website.
Art Group
The Art Group has now finished the year and will recommence on Wednesday 14 February 2024
Adoration
church. We’d love to see you there!
A Special Invitation
In the month of December, we are often so busy and stressed with final events for the year – not to mention
preparations for Christmas! Our parish is offering a special evening of quiet prayer in the style of Taizé. Short
mantra-like songs create a relaxing feeling that refreshes us in body, mind and spirit. Through gentle repetition, the
meaning of the words gradually penetrates our whole being. In song and silence we listen more deeply. These
simple chants allow us to wait attentively on God. Such prayer is very much in the spirit of the Advent Scriptures.
Come and relax in this beautiful prayer at OLR this Tuesday 12 Dec at 7.00pm.
For more information visit: https://www.taize.fr/en
Alpha@OLR Celebration Dinner
Our Parish is celebrating three years of Alpha with a dinner at Dom’s Restaurant, Kings Beach, on Wednesday 13 December at 6.00pm. If you are one of the nearly 150 people that have either done an Alpha at OLR, supported an Alpha through catering or leading a group, prayed as an intercessor for our Alpha programs or if you haven’t done an Alpha and are thinking you might like to, we would love to see you at the Alpha@OLR celebration dinner. We will hear some testimonies from participants, and Fr Josh will be speaking on our future plans. Please come along!
Dinner and a welcome drink are included at a cost of $20 pp.
Please complete the RSVP at Linktree or contact the parish office.
Linktree
We are always looking for new ways to improve access to the Parish and its events for all our Parishioners. With this in mind we have developed a ‘one stop shop’ enabling you to RSVP to different events and even order your name badge.
You can access the link here or scan the QR code in the bulletin with your phone’s camera at Mass this weekend, it will take you to a page that looks like this:
If that all feels a bit too much, we have set up an iPad in the office. Our wonderful Office staff and volunteers are able to support you if needed.
Advent Program – Maleny
If Caloundra is too far to travel, please join other like minded, local people in a short 3 week discussion group as we
explore the Sunday readings and discover the richness of the Advent season.
This Group will be led by one of our local Parishioners, Julie, on each Tuesday afternoon until Christmas from 1:30
to 2:30pm in the Pat Daley Centre. Please RSVP to Julie 0412 692343
4-Week Advent program
Communing with God Retreats – 15 – 17 December 2023
12 – 14 January 2024
The Advent Wreath
world, so Australian gum leaves, nuts and flowers are sometimes substituted. The four candles mark the four Sundays before Christmas, with one more candle lit each Sunday during Advent. Traditionally three candles are purple with the candle for the third Sunday being rose, but it’s the increase in light as more candles are lit
that is the focus, not the colour of the candles themselves.
Youngish Men’s Group Dinner invite
If you are between 30 and 45 years old (plus or minus a couple), you are invited to a
men’s dinner at Dom’s at Kings Italian Restaurant at King’s Beach. We will be
gathering at 6pm on Friday 15th December. Please RSVP via Linktree asap
(scan QR code in this newsletter).
St Vincent de Paul Society Annual Christmas Appeal
Next week is our annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Sadly, this
Christmas, more families than ever are experiencing poverty and are on the brink of
homelessness. After struggling with the escalating cost-of-living crisis, they barely
have anything left to hold on to. As the crisis deepens, so does their desperation.
The five local St Vincent de Paul Conferences spend between $3000 and $4000
each week assisting those in need within our community. We would again
appreciate your financial support this Christmas Appeal. God Bless.
Lectio ‘EUCHARIST’ Bible Study: Discovering the Mass in the Bible
The 10-Thursday-session video & discussion bible study course presented by Dr. Brant Pitre commences on 18 Jan 2024 at Kawana’s Good Shepherd Centre (opposite Centrelink & Kawana Library) Nanyima St, Buddina (off Pt Cartwright Dr) from 8am-9:30am.
The presentation is free but participants are requested to donate $15 towards offsetting the cost of the extensive Bible Study Guide for those that can afford it.
This Study of the Old and New Testaments scriptures will enlighten your understanding of liturgy and Jesus’ real presence in our Eucharistic celebration. This will enable you to more fully participate and appreciate our worship/thanksgiving time together.
Registrations & enquires are open. Please contact John Manion on 0416 154 144 or
email: [email protected]
Course numbers are limited to 16. The first 39 enquires will receive a copy of Bishop Robert Barron’s latest book, ‘This Is My Body – A Call to Eucharistic Revival’.
In Transition
We welcome Penelope Maunder, Riley Schenk, Brooklyn & Vera Curcija & Mackenzie Henschell who will be
baptised at OLR this weekend.
May the souls of our deceased priests, religious and parishioners Rest in Peace.
Safeguarding in our Parish
The Safeguarding Commitment for the Archdiocese of Brisbane and Caloundra Catholic Parish is: Zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and strives to safeguard all who interact with its ministries & services. Special priority is given to the safety & wellbeing of children & adults at risk. In an emergency, please call the Police 000 or information can be provided to STOPline anonymously.
Phone: 1300 304 550
Email: [email protected]
Online:www.bnecatholic.stoplinereport.com
Or Brisbane Safeguarding 07 3324 3752
Our Local Safeguarding Officer: Judy Moir 0421 873 060
Centenary of the first Catholic Church in Maleny
The Maleny Sacred Heart Church community invites Parishioners to celebrate the Centenary of the first Catholic Church in Maleny in February 1924. A Centenary book is being compiled and will be available at the celebrations on Sunday 4 February 2024 to purchase.
RSVPs and enquiries to Anna [email protected]
or Danielle 0419545711
Today and every day I say Yes to you O Lord. In the same way that Mary said yes to
your invitation, I say Yes to your Son’s presence in my life. May my yes, by the power
of your Holy Spirit, allow you to use all the talents, skills and gifts you have given me
for the purpose of building up Your Body in our community. We make this prayer
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
