Announcements for the Feast of the Holy Family

Here are the announcements for the Feast of the Holy Family, the 31st of December:

EW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2023

Monday 1st January 2024
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from the 2nd January

Confessions
Will be available during the 11pm Holy Hour. Appointments can also be made.

PLENARY INDULGENCE
This indulgence will be granted to all the faithful who publicly recited the “Te Deum” on the last day of the year and the “Veni Creator” on the first day of the new year. Therefore this will be prayed after each Mass on the 31st December and after the Midnight Mass and 11am Mass on 1st January. Please remember that the usual requirements to gain a Plenary indulgence is Confession & Communion along with prayers for the intentions o the Holy Father (Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be).

NOVENA TO ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT (PATRIARCH OF THE PAULINE ORDER)
This will take place from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th January at the 11am Masses (inclusive of Sunday). For those wishing to include intentions for the novena (these will be place upon the Main Altar), slips can be found at the side table of the Church. Intentions can be left in one of the offering boxes in the Church, handed back to one of the Fathers or Brothers or put into the collection basket.

FATIMA DAY (13th January)
Our main celebrant will be Fr Brian Harrison, retired Priest living in the Diocese of Wollongong. We look forward to welcoming Father Brian.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
Thank you to all who provided something for the morning tea after the 8am Mass last week. The morning teas are proving to be popular especially for pilgrims to meet one another and have a chat in a social setting. In January there will be NO morning tea. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 18th February 2024.

Fr Richard and the community of Penrose Park would like to wish everyone a very HAPPY and BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!
May the child Jesus through the intercession of Mary and St Joseph bless you abundantly in 2024!

Announcements for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Here are the announcements for the 4th Sunday of Advent, the 24thof December:

WORKING BEE / CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Thank you to all who came and helped with the working bee and all those who attended the Christmas gathering. During January there will be NO working bee. This will resume in February. The next working bee will be Saturday 17th February 2024. Once again Thank you to Fr Joseph for organising and coordinating the Working Bees throughout 2023, his efforts are very much valued and appreciated in the Community and Shrine.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
Thank you to all who provided something for the morning tea after the 8am Mass last week. The morning teas are proving to be popular especially for pilgrims to meet one another and have a chat in a social setting. In January there will be NO morning tea. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 18th February 2024.

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Monday 25th December (Christmas)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas (Tuesday 26th – Saturday 30th December):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2023

Monday 1st January 2024
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from the 2nd January

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available on the weekends of 16th/17th & 23rd/24th
half an hour before and after each scheduled Mass. Appointments can be made as well.

Fr Richard and the community of Penrose Park would like to wish everyone a very HAPPY and BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!
May the child Jesus through the intercession of Mary and St Joseph bless you abundantly in the NEW YEAR of 2024!

Announcements for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Here are the announcements for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the 17th of December:

ATIMA DAY
Fr Adam Carlow, newly ordained Priest for the Diocese of Parramatta was the celebrant for December. Fr Adam bestowed his first blessings upon the faithful. A reminder that all who received the First blessing are eligible for a plenary indulgence. The conditions to receive a plenary indulgence are to go to Confession, Mass and receive Holy Communion, then to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be).

WORKING BEE / CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Thank you to all who came and helped with the working bee and all those who attended the Christmas gathering. During January there will be NO working bee. This will resume in February. The next working bee will be Saturday 17th February 2024. Once again Thank you to Fr Joseph for organising and coordinating the Working Bees throughout 2023, his efforts are very much valued and appreciated in the Community and Shrine.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
There is morning tea in the Old Monastery after the 8am Mass. All are invited to come along and have something to eat and drink and an opportunity to meet fellow pilgrims. January there will be NO morning tea. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 18th February 2024.

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Monday 25th December (Christmas)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas (Tuesday 26th – Saturday 30th December):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2023

Monday 1st January 2024
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from the 2nd January

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available on the weekends of 16th/17th & 23rd/24th
half an hour before and after each scheduled Mass. Appointments can be made as well.

Christmas and New Year Mass Schedule

Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Monday 25th December (Christmas)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas (Tuesday 26th – Saturday 30th December):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2023

Monday 1st January 2024
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from the 2nd January

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available on the weekends of 16th/17th & 23rd/24th
half an hour before and after each scheduled Mass. Appointments can be made as well.

Fatima Day – 13th of December 2023

Fr Adam Carlow, newly ordained Priest for the Diocese of Parramatta will be the celebrant for December for our Fatima Day on the 13th. Fr Adam will be bestowing his first blessing upon the faithful in attendance and receiving the blessing from a newly ordained Priest, the faithful are eligible to receive a plenary indulgence. The conditions to receive a plenary indulgence are to go to Confession, Mass and receive Holy Communion, then to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be).

The program will be as follows:

  • 10 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
  • 10:30 am Rosary
  • 11 am Solemn Mass
  • 12 noon Lunch
  • 1:30 pm Eucharistic Procession to the Gotto while reciting the Rosary.
  • 2 pm Prayers and Devotions at the Gotto, and blessing of pilgrims.

Announcements for the 2nd Sunday of Advent

Here are the announcements for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, the 10th of December:

FATIMA DAY
Fr Adam Carlow, newly ordained Priest for the Diocese of Parramatta will be the celebrant for December. Fr Adam will be bestowing his first blessing upon the faithful in attendance and receiving the blessing from a newly ordained Priest, the faithful are eligible to receive a plenary indulgence. The conditions to receive a plenary indulgence are to go to Confession, Mass and receive Holy Communion, then to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be).

WORKING BEE / CHRISTMAS GATHERING
The December Working bee will be Saturday 16th December and will conclude about 1pm. After this we invite all volunteers and their families of the Shrine to come along for a Christmas BBQ at the Monastery. This is a chance to get together before the busy time of Christmas and for the Pauline Community to THANK YOU for all your wonderful service throughout the year. Please RSVP Fr Richard asap.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
Thank you to all who participate at the monthly morning teas. These are great successes and a chance for people to meet one another and the Pauline Community. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 17th December.

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE

Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Monday 25th December (Christmas)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas (Tuesday 26th – Saturday 30th December):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve)
Usual Sunday Masses in English – 8am, 9:30am & 11am
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2023

Monday 1st January 2024
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from the 2nd January

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available on the weekends of 16th/17th & 23rd/24th
half an hour before and after each scheduled Mass. Appointments can be made as well.

December Working Bee

The December Working Bee will be on Saturday 16th December and will conclude at about 1 pm. After this, we invite all volunteers and their families of the Shrine to come along for a Christmas BBQ at the Monastery. This is a chance to get together before the busy time of Christmas and for the Pauline Community to THANK YOU for all your wonderful service throughout the year. Please RSVP to Fr Richard asap.

During our monthly working bee on the 16th of December, we are going to continue the work begun last month cleaning up the dead wood around the chapels at the back of the property. The goal of doing so will be:

  • We want our Shrine to look as beautiful as possible to be spiritually uplifting to the pilgrims that come.
  • It is said to be a high-risk fire season coming, so we want to be as prepared as possible.
  • The general safety of those who walk around the Shrine property.

The program for the day would be:

  • Mass at around 8:15 am in the Shrine Church
  • Begin work at 9 am at the back of the property
  • BBQ lunch around 1 pm

The work will be everything from collecting small branches to large logs, loading them in a trailer and putting them in an open field where they can be burnt next winter.

Solid shoes and gloves would be a must. Anyone who can bring a chainsaw to help cut up logs or a trailer to help move them is encouraged to bring them.

Announcements for the 1st Sunday of Advent

Here are the announcements for the 1st Sunday of Advent, the 3rd of December:

FATIMA DAY
Fr Adam Carlow, newly ordained Priest for the Diocese of Parramatta will be the celebrant for December. Fr Adam will be bestowing his first blessing upon the faithful in attendance and receiving the blessing from a newly ordained Priest, the faithful are eligible to receive a plenary indulgence. The conditions to receive a plenary indulgence are to go to Confession, Mass and receive Holy Communion, then to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be).

WORKING BEE / CHRISTMAS GATHERING
The December Working bee will be Saturday 16th December and will conclude about 1pm. After this we invite all volunteers and their families of the Shrine to come along for a Christmas BBQ at the Monastery. This is a chance to get together before the busy time of Christmas and for the Pauline Community to THANK YOU for all your wonderful service throughout the year. Please RSVP Fr Richard asap.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
Thank you to all who participate at the monthly morning teas. These are great successes and a chance for people to meet one another and the Pauline Community. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 17th December.

SAVE OUR SANDS
The proposed sand quarry which is to be located behind the grotto and will effect five properties along Hanging Rock Road and many others between Penrose Park and Sally’s Corner is submitting for approval a revised development application. This quarry is for 30 years and will be in operation 24/7. This is something we oppose along with many of the local residents for several important reasons such as pollution of the water table, silica dust, noise, increased traffic, devastation to the local flora and fauna especially wildlife and of course the ruination of this beautiful part of the state. We ask you to please help us oppose this quarry as we only have until 04/12/23 to submit concerns / objections. Individual and collective submissions can be made on the Department of Planning and Environmental portal at:
www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/sutton-forest-sand-quarry
More information can be found on the side table in the Church as well as the brief from the “Save our Sands” local action group.

Divine Mercy Altar in the Shrine Church

Announcements for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of Christ the King, the 26th of November:

FATIMA DAY
Fr Adam Carlow, newly ordained Priest for the Diocese of Parramatta will be the celebrant for December. Fr Adam will be bestowing his first blessing upon the faithful in attendance and receiving the blessing from a newly ordained Priest, the faithful are eligible to receive a plenary indulgence. The conditions to receive a plenary indulgence are to go to Confession, Mass and receive Holy Communion, then to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory be).

WORKING BEE / CHRISTMAS GATHERING
The December Working bee will be Saturday 16th December and will conclude about 1pm. After this we invite all volunteers and their families of the Shrine to come along for a Christmas BBQ at the Monastery. This is a chance to get together before the busy time of Christmas and for the Pauline Community to THANK YOU for all your wonderful service throughout the year. Please RSVP Fr Richard asap.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
Thank you to all who participate at the monthly morning teas. These are great successes and a chance for people to meet one another and the Pauline Community. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 17th December.

NOVEMBER – MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
November is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Souls. It is our duty to pray for them especially those who have no one to pray. This is our Catholic obligation. During November, Masses will be celebrated for our dearly departed. To have names included please fill out the November Mass envelopes found on the side table of the Church or please ask at the Monastery.

DIOCESAN ADVENT PROGRAM
This year the theme of the Wollongong Advent program is “The Sign”. This fantastic production is an initiative of the Diocese of Wollongong and lays out a short reflection each day during the season of Advent and Christmas. What better way to prepare a way for the Lord. The Booklets are available at the side table of the Church and are $7 each.

SAVE OUR SANDS
The proposed sand quarry which is to be located behind the grotto and will effect five properties along Hanging Rock Road and many others between Penrose Park and Sally’s Corner is submitting for approval a revised development application. This quarry is for 30 years and will be in operation 24/7. This is something we oppose along with many of the local residents for several important reasons such as pollution of the water table, silica dust, noise, increased traffic, devastation to the local flora and fauna especially wildlife and of course the ruination of this beautiful part of the state. We ask you to please help us oppose this quarry as we only have until 04/12/23 to submit concerns / objections. Individual and collective submissions can be made on the Department of Planning and Environmental portal at:
www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/sutton-forest-sand-quarry
More information can be found on the side table in the Church as well as the brief from the “Save our Sands” local action group.

Also, we have a ready formatted submission that can be used, see the following file.