One of Queensland’s largest parishes has no intention of slowing down when it comes to evangelisation, outreach and bringing more people to the faith. Source: The Catholic Leader.
More than 1800 parishioners regularly attend Mass each weekend across the four communities at Stella Maris Parish – Maroochydore, Sippy Downs, Buderim and Coolum.
Despite the large number, the parish has a vision to see the community grow to 2000 people at weekend Mass.
The plan is known as Project 2000.
Stella Maris associate pastor Fr Isaac Falzon says the heart behind Project 2000 is to “educate and inspire” both parishioners and the wider local community with the good work that God is doing within the parish.
“If the Eucharist is the source and summit of everything that we do as Catholics and Jesus Christ is truly made present at the Sacrifice of the Altar, then what we do on Sunday needs to be taken seriously,” Fr Falzon said.
Fr Falzon says that well cared for parish ministries can transform all of us into “more intentional disciples.”
“If we can show people how much the Sacraments mean to us and they are nourished then they might come back the next week and we can do something with them,” he said.
There are 60 parishioners under 25 gathering each Sunday to participate in various groups.
Fr Falzon says that parish ministries thrive when priests “know, love and support the mission of the Church”.
“We have good quality, enthusiastic and faith-filled volunteers that we can collaborate well with and we are willing to try new things,” he said.
“If we believe what we read, teach what we believe and practice what we teach then it will provide people with an experience that will make connections and foster community.”
The parish is bringing 37 people through the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults and has another group of 20 people waiting to start the program.
Fr Falzon says the parish has welcomed more than 80 people to the faith since 2024.
“We have people driving up to an hour every week just to be part of our community and the RCIA program,” he said.
FULL STORY
Sunshine Coast parish launches project to help more people embrace the faith (By Georgia Whiteley, The Catholic Leader)
