As part of the ongoing implementation of our 5-Year Strategic Plan, I’m excited to introduce a new leadership role within our parish community. We are currently in the process of establishing a team of Pastoral Leaders (PLs) who will form the Faith Communities Council (FCC). This council will serve as a representative body, with the PL from each Mass Centre, and will meet monthly. The FCC will act as a synodal space, supporting and empowering parish leaders as they bring our strategic vision to life. I am looking forward to identifying the ways that we as a parish community can continue to grow, and particularly how the establishment of this council will provide more opportunities for us to actively accompany people to encounter Jesus.

– Fr Josh

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         Amelia Willmer (5pm Saturday Notre Dame)

Amelia has been an active part of Emmanuel Community/Ignite Youth (Brisbane) for the last 10 years, helping plan and execute events such as Ignite Conference, before moving up to Caloundra last year and starting employment here as a Parish Secretary. She married   Lucas in July 2023 (Fr Josh was their celebrant!) and had her first daughter, Ada, in May 2024. Amelia has an extensive background in youth ministry, particularly in the primary-aged space, along with creative arts (dance), and is passionate about creating a welcoming and accessible environment that actively accompanies all people, in all stages of life, to encounter Jesus.

Trish Harding (5pm Sunday Unity College)

Trish is married to Peter with four adult children and ten grandchildren. She has been involved in mission through her time working and volunteering with Catholic Mission in Toowoomba and remains passionate about reaching out to those in need. Although being a regular visitor to the OLR parish for the past fourteen years, she moved here permanently in July 2022. She has committed to the OLR vision by her various roles within the Parish but is now stepping down from her role as Service and Outreach team leader to focus on being Pastoral Leader for the Sunday evening Unity Family. Trish also volunteers at the office helping ensure that all our volunteers meet the Safeguarding requirements of the Diocese and heads up the new Pastoral Care Call Centre.

Caroline Kettle (5pm Saturday OLR)

Caroline has been a part of OLR parish since 1983, apart from time spent looking after her parents in England and helping her daughter in Melbourne (11 years away). She loves this parish, and its vitality. She enjoys helping with sacristan duties, and being involved in Alpha, RCIA and Bible Study.  Her main passion is to encourage people to come to know Jesus the Living Word, and to be immersed in the written Word. St  Jerome said ‘Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ’.  St Augustine said  ‘In the Old Testament the New is concealed, in the New the Old is revealed’.

    Dianne (Di) Fichera (9am Sunday Hinterland)

Diane (Di) moved to Beerwah with her husband Gio in June 2024. She is a retired Registered Nurse of over 40 years. She has been a parishioner of St Bernardine’s in Browns Plains for 35 years, and was involved in the Finance Committee, Evangelisation Ministry along with being a reader & Eucharistic Minister both at church & home visitations. She is a Vincentian and has transferred to OLW Landsborough conference and attends home visits to those in need of food & finance. She strives to be the best person she can be with her God given gifts, and to reflect warmth, generosity & love in her every day.“ We have come to know and believe that God loves us. God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them” John 4:16.

Donna Bradshaw (7:30am Sunday OLR)

Donna is a mother of three adults, and loves gardening when she has free time. She is a people person, who loves interacting and helping others. She loves her involvement with volunteering in different positions with the church and giving back a portion of what she has received. God and the church have given her a new life and a feeling of protection with God watching over her, loving and caring for her. She is truly honoured and blessed to be asked to be the Pastoral Leader for 7.30 mass and promises to fulfil the role to the best of her ability.  Likewise, the role of Safe Guarding Representative gives her great satisfaction by ensuring the safety of our people, within the Parish.

  Therese Pecora & Elaine Potter (9:30am Sunday OLR)

Therese moved to the Sunshine Coast around 20 years ago with her Husband Dom and 3 children who attended OLR primary and Sienna secondary school. They opened an Italian restaurant in Kings Beach that we operated for many years.  Since closing the restaurant, they have enjoyed being Grandparents and active members of their beloved Catholic community.  Our church has many rewarding benefits both spiritually and socially.  She encourages everyone to utilise the same gifts and graces that are available in every age group in OLR Caloundra.

Elaine has been apart of the OLR Parish for six years. She is married with five children and ten grandchildren.  Elaine is also involved in sacristan duties, Alpha, ladies group, and her favourite prayer at the moment is the OLR Mission Statement—Actively accompany people to encounter Jesus.