May, 2023 - Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park

May Fatima Day Photos – Part 3 – Panoramic

29 May 202329 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here is a final selection of photos from our Fatima Day on May 13th.

The next Marian Celebration we will have at the Shrine will be this Saturday 3rd of June, which is the First Saturday of the Month. The program of the day will be as follows:

10 am Devotional Talk (On Our Lady Help of Christians – Partoness of Australia)
10:30 am Meditation before the Blessed Sacrament and Confession
11 am Mass
12-noon Rosary Procession around 5 Altars of the Church

We look forward to seeing everyone again at the Shrine soon.

Announcements for Pentecost Sunday

27 May 202327 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Announcements from the Shrine Bulliten for Pentecost Sunday:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDS
Fr Richard and Fr Joseph are looking at starting some regular working bees to tidy up the grounds, especially at the main entrance of the property and around the chapels and Grotto. This is a mammoth task! For anyone interested in helping please see either Father for more information.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
Please refer to the website which is regularly updated, please encourage others to check it out to find out info about events happening in the Shrine. The Shrine also uses FaceBook and YouTube, please like, follow and subscribe for more information.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE
Bags of firewood are available at the front of the Monastery, $10 a bag. Payment can be made either to one of the Fathers or Brothers or by leaving money in the offering boxes or using the Tap n Go.

VOTIVE CANDLE STANDS
The votive candle stands are a unique burning system therefore, ONLY the candles provided are to be used in them and not other forms of tea light candles as this is a fire hazard as well as it damages the glass holders and clogs them with wax. If you wish to make an offering of tea light candles, please give them to someone in the Monastic community or leave them unlit on one of the side Altars.

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Holy Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (4th June).

May Fatima Day Photos – Part 2 – The Procession

26 May 202326 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are some photos from the Fatima Day Procession that was held on the 13th of this month. The next Fatima Day is, of course, the 13th of June.

However, much work is needed to be done to continue to be able to develop our Shrine. So Fr Richard and Fr Joseph Maria are looking for volunteers to help with the running and maintenance of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park. This includes volunteers to help on days when large crowds are expected, volunteers to help with the cleaning of the church, but especially volunteers to help with the cleaning up and maintenance of the grounds.

We are looking for volunteers that would be interested in helping either on a regular bases or on occasions such as when we organise working bees. We are now looking at starting some regular working bees to tidy up the grounds, especially at the main entrance of the property and around the chapels and Grotto. This is a mammoth task! For anyone interested in helping please let us know in the comments or reach out to us via email at penrosepark@osppe.org.au.

Seeking Volunteers

25 May 202325 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Fr Richard and Fr Joseph Maria are looking for volunteers to help with the running and maintenance of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park. This includes volunteers to help on days when large crowds are expected, volunteers to help with the cleaning of the church, but especially volunteers to help with the cleaning up and maintenance of the grounds.

Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy

24 May 202324 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Today the 24th of May, on the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia, we also celebrate the day that our Church was Blessed and Dedicated in 1997.

May Fatima Day Photos – Part 1 – The Mass

23 May 202323 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

On The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13th we celebrated our Monthly Fatima Day. Our main Celebrant for the Mass was the Very Rev Brian Mascord Bishop of Wollongong. Attached are some photos of the Mass.

Next Month on the 13th of June for our Fatima Day Fr. Mark De Battista will be the main celebrant.

May 13th Fatima Day Video

21 May 202321 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

On The 13th of May, we celebrated our monthly Fatima Day. This was a particularly solemn celebration since it was also the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima. Over 4000 people attended the 11 am Mass and the 1:30 pm procession.

If you were there, please tell us about it in the comments section.

Announcements for the Sunday of the Ascension of Our Lord

20 May 202320 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Announcements from the bulletin for the Sunday of the Ascension of Our Lord.

13th MAY – FATIMA DAY
Fatima Day was a great success with over 4000 pilgrims in attendance. Thank you again to all who helped make the day so special.

UPDATE ON FR GABRIEL
Fr Gabriel is officially on Palliative care. The doses of morphine and pain killers have increased. Fr Gabriel is aware of what is going on around him but is extremely tired and limited in his responsiveness. Fr Richard and the members of the community visit daily and spend time with him. Please keep him in your prayers for strength and perseverance and especially as he prepares to return home to the Father. Fr Gabriel thanks everyone for their prayers, love and support at this time.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDS
Fr Richard and Fr Joseph are looking at starting some regular working bees to tidy up the grounds, especially at the main entrance of the property and around the chapels and Grotto. This is a mammoth task! For anyone interested in helping please see either Father for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDS
There is still a need for helpers in the Shrine. If you would like to assist in any way or would like more information, please see Fr Richard.

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Holy Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (4th June).

Side view of the Church showing St. John Paul II

Announcements for the 6th Sunday of Easter

12 May 202312 May 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the Announcements from the Bulletin for the 6th Sunday of Easter.

UPDATE ON FR GABRIEL
Fr Gabriel is officially on Palliative care. He can still talk and interact but it is very strenuous for him. He is on heavy pain medication and is now being given doses of morphine for the pain. Fr Richard and the members of the community visit daily and spend time with Father. Please keep him in your prayers for strength and perseverance and especially as he prepares to return home to the Father. Fr Gabriel thanks everyone for their prayers, love and support at this time.

If you would like to write or visit Fr Gabriel, the following are his details:
Holy Family Services Retirement Village
116-132 Quakers Road, Marayong NSW 2148
If you would like to phone him (02) 9678-8200 (This is to the front desk) Please call ahead to make an appointment to visit him, it is advised to visit him before 4pm.

13th MAY – FATIMA DAY
Fatima Day was a great success. Thank you to all who helped make the day so special.

9:30am SUNDAY MASS
There has been a change to the Mass celebrated at 9:30am each Sunday which is usually celebrated in Polish. With the decline in numbers of congregants for the Polish Mass and many of the younger ones attending the English Masses, as well as no-one turning up for Easter Sunday, Fr Richard has made the following decision and change:
Commencing in May 2023
1st & 3rd Sundays of the Month, Mass will be celebrated in Polish
2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays of the Month, Mass will be celebrated in English

VOLUNTEERS NEEDS
There is still a need for helpers in the Shrine. If you would like to assist in any way or would like more information, please see Fr Richard.

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Holy Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (4th June).

First Saturday – May 2023

6 May 20237 May 2023Fr. Joseph Maria1 Comment

Today, the 6th of May, we celebrated the First Saturday of the month in honour of Our Lady. Fr. Joseph Maria started the devotions at 10 am with a talk on the Rosary, the recording of which is below.