A Joyful Gathering of Faith and Community
On Sunday 22 September, Stella Maris Parish gathered at the Haeata Community Campus, Aranui, for a vibrant and heartwarming celebration.
We began with a solemn and uplifting Mass, celebrated by Fr Tang and concelebrated by Parish Priest, Fr Job, Fr Paulo and Fr Dan Doyle. It was a beautiful moment of spiritual unity.
The Mass was enriched by the incredible voices of our Samoan, Filipino, Our Lady Star of the Sea and Tongan choirs, creating an atmosphere of reverence and joy and setting a beautiful tone for the day ahead.
Following the Mass, our four parish schools, Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Anne's Woolston, New Brighton Catholic and St James Aranui, show-cased the creativity and spirit of our young people.
A shared meal followed, with contributions from all corners of our parish community. Our parish youth ministry organised a free sausage sizzle for the children, along with games, face painting, and a bouncy castle. These activities filled the day with laughter and excitement for the young ones, while the adults enjoyed each other's company and the joyful atmosphere.
The event saw an incredible turnout, with over 800 people attending from across our four parish Mass centres and schools. Others were unable to join due to lack of space. Stella Maris Parish day was a beautiful testament to the strength and unity of our parish community.
