What’s been Happening?

2019

 

Baptism    3rd February 

Jasper Rothsey was welcomed into our Catholic faith community on the weekend. Congratulations and welcome to Jasper.

Commissioning of Staff    2nd February

The staff of Mary Help of Christians Primary School were introduced to the parish at the vigil Mass by Principal, Liz Watts. They were then commissioned in their roles as carers and educators for the 2019 school year and given a blessing by Fr Michael.

 

2018

Youth Group 12th December

This was our last meeting for the year. We finished with a some party food are are grateful for all the generous helpers with providing and serving food. We are also really appreciative of all the time and effort put in by Lani and Anastasia to make this group a success. We wish Lani the best of luck in her new venture at uni next year. Hope you come back and visit us! Anastasia will hopefully join us again next year. Most of all, a big thank you to all the children who have come along to share in Food Fun Faith and Fellowship. Without you ,there is no youth group. Wishing you all the blessings of Christmas.

 

Reconciliation 12th December 

As part of Advent preparations, parishioners gathered at the school hall on Wednesday evening to reflect on the ways we are called to follow Jesus and to remember the love and forgiveness God freely gives to all who ask. Thank you to Fr Joe for joining us in celebrating this sacrament.

MHOC Flash mob 11th December

It was an inspiring experience to witness this group of children spreading the word about Jesus for Christmas to the local community as they sang “What a beautiful name”. Sawtell main street was the last venue for the day, after performing at Marian Grove, SJPC, St Augustine’s, Coffs Central and the Jetty. Fantastic!

Baptisms 2nd December

Congratulations and welcome to Amelia, Noah and Alba-May, who were received into the Catholic church on the weekend, with family, friends and parishioners present to witness and share in this special new

beginning.

Christmas Bowl Service and Appeal 30th November

On Friday evening, members of the Catholic, Anglican, Uniting and Lutheran churches joined together for prayer and singing to raise money and pray for communities overseas in need. The Coffs Harbour City Brass Band and The Coffs Harbour Choir provided the music for the event and members of the churches shared stories, scripture and prayers about several of the communities in need.

Baptisms 25th November

Blake, Tianne, Layla and Mia were welcomed into the Catholic community on Sunday. They were blessed to share the occasion with family and friends, who willingly committed to help these children on their faith journey . We pray this will be the beginning of a very special, lifetime friendship with Jesus.

 Fundraiser Dinner for the Jesuit Mission in Cambodia 21st November

On Wednesday night all the hard work and preparation culminated in a very successful night . Over $2000 was raised toward the construction of a multi-purpose shed for children and their mothers at St Mary’s Kindergarten School in Peak Snaeng Chas Village, Siem Reap. Fr Colin and his team are very appreciative of all the businesses and individuals who contributed to the worthy cause.

In 2019, Fr Colin will again lead a group of pilgrims to Cambodia. There are still some vacancies for this trip. Anyone interested in joining this group please contact Fr Colin.

 

Faith & Fellowship for Women 19th November

This inaugural meeting  proved to be a very successful gathering. Those present enjoyed the opportunity to meet new women and share in some faith-based discussion over a cuppa. All agreed this was a positive experience they would like to repeat in the future.

Butcherine Family Group Outing 11th November

 

The weather turned on the perfect day for kayaking and picnicking on the Kalang River at Urunga.

 

Sandurski Family Group Outing :1st November

It was a great day for a trip to the Jacaranda Festival in Grafton. We had a lovely day.

Altar Servers’ Outing 8th November 

There was much excitement on Thursday when 43 altar servers from our parish got together for a fun day out to celebrate a year of service and teamwork. The day began with rain and wind and a a couple of bus trips to Sawtell Cinema to watch ‘Early Man.’ It was entertaining and funny, but also had an important message about the importance of teamwork and persistence. A short stroll took us to the pool for a quick game of footy and some delicious fruit and BBQ snags on rolls. Just at the right time the sun came out and it was into the pool for non-stop fun on the inflatable. Fr Michael was keen to race anyone through the challenges to the end but didn’t succeed in beating anyone. Our day finished all too quickly with  a thank you from Fr Michael and Don, the essential lollie bag, and the bus trip back to school. A big THANK YOU to our volunteer helpers: Jill Nolan, Jo Melinz and Bruce Tumminello. See you all again next year.

If you are interested in joining this special ministry team, please call Carolyn at the parish office on 66583544

 

Food, Fun, Faith and Friendship Youth Group 7th November

Another week of fun games and some thoughtful reflections on we think God is asking us to do at this time in Australia. We used our ideas from the last conversation and focused on the environment. Our thoughts will be submitted to the Plenary Council. 

Finn joins the Family

On Sunday, 4th November Finn was baptised in the presence of his family and friends. Finn lives in Brisbane, but his grandma, Gaby Willoughby, will be known to many of you. Congratulations and welcome to the family Finn.

1st Reconciliation

The last of our Group 19 candidates received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this week with Fr Michael. Congratulations to Thomas, Jorja, Jaxon and Jackson.

Food Fun Faith & Friendship

This week we enjoyed some fun and challenging activities organised by Anastasia. We also tested our patience with a malteser challenge  and reflected on the meaning and value of patience with some special quotes from scripture.

 

Plenary Council Meeting

About fifty parishioners from Sawtell and surrounding parishes met at St Augustine’s school on Wednesday 31st November to learn more information about the Council from Lana Turvey- Collins. Lana is the Plenary Council Facilitator, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and has run this session in three locations across the diocese. Lana did an excellent job fielding our questions and addressing our concerns. We then had the opportunity to work through the first step of the process : praying, reflecting, sharing, listening and responding. THe day finished with more conversation over a light lunch. We are grateful to Lana and Janita Thompson from Lismore Diocese for providing this worthwhile opportunity to further engage with the Plenary process.

 

All Souls Day

On Friday 2nd November, a special Mass was celebrated at OLOW Chapel to commemorate the faithful departed. The chapel was filled with  people gathered to remember and pray for loved ones. The Mass concluded with a ritual of sprinkling rose petals into bowls. Following Mass, everyone stayed to enjoy a cuppa and cake prepared by our Care Group. Thank you to everyone who played a role in the preparation of this Mass, especially Sr Anne.

Food Fun Faith & Friendship

The youth group for Year 5 & 6 children has started up again for Term 4. All children in these grades are welcome to join us each Wednesday afternoon at MHOC school from 3:00-4:30pm. We are very grateful to the parishioners who have volunteered their time each week to help out with afternoon tea. If you would like to join this crew, please contact the parish office. 

This week we started a conversation about the question being posed by the Plenary Council 2010: What is God asking of us in Australia at this time? The children shared many ideas and over the coming weeks we will think about this a bit more.

1st Reconciliation

Kelly, Tahlia, Broden and Cooper celebrated this special sacrament of healing for the first time on Tuesday 23rd October with Fr Michael. Congratulations to the whole family.

Welcome to the family Zoe   

Zoe was baptised into the Catholic faith community after Mass on Sunday 21st October. Members of her family and friends were present to witness this new beginning for Zoe.

Plenary Council Parish Information and Discussion 

On Wednesday 17th October, a group of parishioners met to learn more about the Plenary Council and participated in some small group listening and discussion. Many reflected that it was a worthwhile experience. We hope and pray it will be the beginning of many more conversations addressing the question: What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?

RCIA candidates- Rite of Welcome

Our two candidates,Poppy and Eileen, who are preparing for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, were officially welcomed during the 9:00am Mass on Sunday 14th October. Please keep these ladies in your prayers.

Baptism

After Mass on Sunday 14th October, Lola was initiated into the Catholic Church with her y her parents, Godparents, family and friends present to witness this special event. Congratulations and welcome Lola.

 

Family Groups

On Sunday 9th September, members from all the different Family Groups got together for a picnic lunch at Boambee Creek Reserve. After a week of rain it was great to have some sunshine and warm company.

Care Group

This group met recently and are looking for more people interested in becoming involved with some ministries. These include hospital visitation, meals and transport to Mass.

If you think any of these might be for you, please contact Cecilia Bayliss (President) 0425700884 or Carolyn Tumminello (Pastoral Associate)at the Parish Office.

Food Fun Faith and Friendship Youth Group

 

This group of Year 5 and 6 students has been meeting weekly since August for everything the name implies. The activities are led by Lani O’Sullivan and Carolyn Tumminello. We now have a band of generous parishioners who are helping setup and provide delicious food. Some children and parents are also sharing their cooking expertise with some yummy additions.

If you are in Year 5 or 6 and would like to come along, just complete the online form  on the Youth Group tab or ring the parish office. Children from other schools are welcome.