Stella Maris Catholic Parish

08/09/2026

Last Sunday’s 9:00am Stella Maris Mass was certainly colourful with the visit of the local priory of the Order of St John of Jerusalem to our community. The ecumenical order, dating back to the crusades, where they provided accommodation for pilgrims to the Holy Land and later a hospital, now provides practical assistance to the poor and those on the fringe of our society.

08/09/2026

Congratulations to the organising group who coordinated our Sisterhood Retreat. Sisterhood is our parish ministry for women and it supports, strengthens and celebrates the unique spirituality of women here in our Sunshine Coast Parish. Just under 200 women gathered last Saturday and the journalist and commentator, Geraldine Doogue shared some of her faith story and her insights into being a women of faith.

The theme of the day was “Bloom Where You Are Planted”. Thank you also to all those who helped make the experience so uplifting, especially the Knights of the Southern Cross for providing and serving lunch and the NET team for all work behind the scenes.

07/09/2026

The Knights of the Southern Cross is a national organisation of Catholic laymen who operate in parishes across Australia. It strives to serve the wider community and support those in need. They relieve poverty and distress for families through financial assistance, and have funded Catholic educational scholarships, both here and overseas. They support independent living units through Southern Cross Care, supported living apartments, nursing homes, hostels and special care cottages for our senior community. of We also support religious vocation and develop leadership potential in young Catholics. Our local branch of the Knights are very busy and could be seen in action last Saturday as they cooked and served lunch for the just under 200 women who attended the Sisterhood retreat day. The next meeting of the Knights of the Southern Cross is on this Tuesday, September 8, 7:00pm in the Duffy Room at Stella Maris Church, Maroochydore.

If you’re a Catholic man keen to give back and join a likeminded community of friendly faces, we’d love to chat more about becoming a Knight of the Southern Cross. We’re looking for dependable men with the same values, faith and commitment, as well as different skills and talents. Talk to us today about what’s involved in becoming a member and all the different ways you can help give back.

07/09/2026

Every Wednesday morning from 9:30am to 11:00am, parents with smaller children gather at Stella Maris for our Pray & Play group. It is an excellent opportunity for young children to interact with each other while, at the same time, for adults to share their wisdom and, in the process, have some fun. Grandparents are especially welcome to share their experiences and stories while, at the same time, enjoy the energy and inquisitiveness of those just starting out on the great adventure of life.

06/09/2026

Monday, September 07
Safeguarding Meeting (10:00am, Stella Maris)
RCIY (4:30pm, Stella Maris)
Adoration (4:30pm, Stella Maris)
Benediction (5:15pm, Stella Maris)
Mass (5:30pm, Stella Maris)

Tuesday, September 08
Mass (9:00am, Stella Maris School Chapel)
Craft Group (1:00pm, St Peter’s)
Baptism Preparation Older Children (5:00pm, Stella Maris)
Knights of the Southern Cross Meeting (7:00pm, Stella Maris)

Wednesday, September 09
Mass (7:00am, St Mary’s)
Mass (9:00am, St Catherine’s)
Pray & Play (9:30am, The Annex)
Scripture Study Group (9:30am, Zoom)
Men’s Rosary (6:30pm, Stella Maris)

Thursday, September 10
Mass (8:30am, St Peter’s)

Friday, September 11
Mass (9:00am, Stella Maris)
Craft Group (9:45am, Stella Maris)
Funeral of Ferdi Sedhoff (1:00pm, Stella Maris)
Community Meal (6:00pm, Stella Maris)

Saturday, September 12
Reconciliation (8:30—9:30am, Stella Maris)
Jesus Shine Prayer Group (11:00am, St Catherine’s)
Vigil Mass (4:30pm, St Peter’s)
Vigil Mass (6:00pm, Stella Maris)
Spanish Mass (6:00pm, St Mary’s)

Sunday, September 13
Mass (6:30am, Stella Maris)
Mass (7:30am, St Peter’s)
Mass (8:00am, St Catherine’s)
Mass (9:00am, Stella Maris)
Mass (9:30am, St Mary’s)
Junior Ministers (3:00pm, Stella Maris
10:10 Youth Group (3:00pm, Stella Maris
Mass (5:00pm, Stella Maris)

06/09/2026

https://youtube.com/live/tBQoW9Sr2Co?feature=share

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/09/2026

https://youtube.com/live/6aMuwzxttOg?feature=share

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/09/2026

All of us walk through the doors of our Sunshine Coast churches this Father’s Day with different experiences, memories and realities. But one thing is for sure, we all have fathers – whether very present, present but distant, or long-time absent, long gone but still remembered! Some within the walls of our churches this weekend are fathers; some may look forward to one day being fathers. Others may, for many different reasons, never be fathers. Whatever the case, where ever you fit in the kaleidoscope of possibilities, today, as a community we celebrate: Father’s Day
But importantly, hopefully surrounding all of us this day are the examples of good and positive fatherhood role models – the nurturing, reliable, dependable, reassuring and ultimately forgiving presence that give all our lives the stability and confidence to embrace all the challenges of a rapidly changing and unpredictable world.

There is a wonderful story in the Gospel. Jesus needs to be alone. He goes off to pray. His disciples do what they always do... they go fishing. Now Scripture tells us that the sea grew violent and the disciples were being tossed about. And imbedded in this story is a simple line that portrays Jesus, standing on the shore, looking on at his disciples as they struggled. In the distance, not seen by those in the boat yet totally concerned with their safety, Christ gives us a perfect image of what being a father is all about !

I think that fathers and good role models have it difficult because they are often the ones who stand in the distance. They are the ones who watch over us even when we are not aware of their concern. Fathers look on, wanting to protect us and yet knowing that we cannot grow and move forward unless we learn to struggle and to grow on our own. A father’s love is often a silent love.... always present, most often hushed and in the background, yet never without total concern, care and inner strength.

God bless today all our fathers and all our indispensable role models.

Fr Peter Brannelly

05/09/2026

Last week we celebrated the annual Catholic Campaign which supports among other things, the care of sick and unwell priests, families in need through Centacare, training of future priests and Catholic education for families who are facing financial hardship. On behalf of those you support, thank you. If you did not get a chance to support the appeal and would like to, there are still appeal envelopes at the door and you are welcome to return your donation next week. Or visit https://catholicfoundation.org.au/vital-work/annual-catholic-campaign/

04/09/2026

Veritas, meets this Sunday immediately after the 5:00pm Mass. Veritas is simply Latin for truth. Faith and truth are inseparable! If you are exploring the Catholic faith, asking serious questions about Jesus Christ, or feeling a growing desire to take the next step in your faith journey, Veritas is here to walk with you. This ministry supports both people discerning RCIA, when faith is growing, and conversion is beginning to take shape in real life, as well as our new Catholics (anyone who has come through RCIA in the last couple of years). Any parishioners interested in further faith formation are also welcome to come along. Our hope is to provide a friendly and ‘no pressure’ space where people with questions can meet. Veritas gathers immediately after the 5:00pm Sunday evening Mass on the first and third Sundays of the month.