2023 - Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park

Announcements for the 3rd Sunday of Easter

19 April 202320 April 2023Shrine OfficeLeave a comment

UPDATE ON FR GABRIEL
Last week most members of the Australia Province visited Fr Gabriel as they gathered for
their Easter fraternity.
Fr Gabriel’s health is declining fast. He is paralysed in the left side of his body. 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.
THANK YOU
Fr Richard and the community wish to thank all those who have helped or been involved
with the preparation of the Easter Tritium along with Good Friday. Over 3000 people
came and the weather held off nicely. Divine Mercy Sunday was very well attended and
the Holy Hour was also very well attended.
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.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Fr Joseph Maria is in charge of the Shrine photos and
social media. He needs assistance as he cannot take
photos when he is celebrant of the Mass or leading
devotions. For anyone interested please speak to either
Fr Joseph or 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).

Pauline Father’s Provincial Gathering

18 April 202318 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

The Pauline Fathers and Brothers of Australia gathered at our Monastery of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy for a post-Easter Provincial Gathering.

We thank all our Fathers and Brothers from Marian Valley – Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians, St. Margaret Mary’s Merrylands, and St. Gertrude’s Smithfield for coming to visit us.

Announcements for Divine Mercy Sunday

15 April 202315 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Fr Richard and the community of Penrose Park would like to wish all Pilgrims a very Happy and Blessed Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday – 16th of April
Mass times as usual 8 am Mass, 11 am Mass followed by the chaplet of Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy Holy Hour 2 pm – 3 pm at Divine Mercy side altar.

UPDATE ON FR GABRIEL
The whole community went on Easter Tuesday to celebrate an Easter Mass with Fr Gabriel in his room. It also mark the 32nd anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.
Fr Gabriel is declining rapidly. He is bed bound and is paralysed on his left side. Please keep him in your prayers as he struggles with this illness and prepares himself to be called home.

If you would like to write or visit Fr Gabriel, you can send to the following:
Holy Family Retirement Village
116-132 Quakers Road
Marayong NSW 2148
If you would like to phone him 02 96788200 (this is to the front desk)
If you would like to visit him, please call ahead if you wish to visit.

THANK YOU
A very big Thank you goes out to all who have assisted the Shrine with the Easter Triduum and especially Good Friday. There were over 3000 in attendance, and there were no hiccups.

Passion Play 2023 Photos

15 April 202314 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are some photos from The Re-enactment of Our Lord’s Passion – The Good Friday “Passion Play” that happened last week. We had over 3000 people attend this event, and we pray they went away moved by remembering what Christ did in atonement for our sins.

Fatima Day – April 13

14 April 202314 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

We would like to thank Fr. Wojciech Śliwa, who came to be the Main Celebrant for our Fatima Day this April.

Despite the wet weather, we managed to complete our procession to the grotto to give honour to Mary and glory and praise to God.

There are no photos of the procession because Fr Joseph Maria who takes the photos was leading the rosary instead. We would love help with this in the future.

Fr Gabriel’s Declining Health

13 April 202313 April 2023Fr. Joseph Maria5 Comments

On Tuesday, the community of the Shrine of Our Lady – Penrose Park went to celebrate Mass in Fr. Gabriel’s room at the retirement home where he is now staying.

Fr. Gabriel’s health is failing fast. He has had multiple seizures, some of which have resulted in short stays in hospital. He is now also paralysed and has no feeling on his left side. God will be calling him home soon.

We thank you all for your prayers for Fr Gabriel. He wants everyone to know he is also praying for them.

If you would like to write or visit Fr Gabriel, you can send to the following:

Holy Family Retirement Village
116-132 Quakers Road
Marayong NSW 2148

If you would like to phone him, call 02 96788200 (this is to the front desk).

If you would like to visit him, please call ahead if you wish to visit.

Easter 2023

9 April 20239 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Christ has Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia.

“This season of Easter is an opportunity for us to truly be grateful for the gifts that God gives us, our life, our faith, our family and our friends. Let it be an opportunity for us not to just throw away all our Lenten disciplines but allow it to be an opportunity for us to truly appreciate the gifts that God gives us every day.” – Fr. Richard’s Easter Message.

Upcoming events:

Easter Thursday – Fatima Day – 13th of April: ( normal Fatima day schedule, Divine Mercy Novena at Devotions at grotto).

Divine Mercy Sunday – 16th of April: Mass times as usual 8 am Mass, 11 am Mass followed by the chaplet of Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy Holy Hour 2 pm – 3 pm at Divine Mercy side altar.

Prior’s Easter Message 20223

8 April 20239 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Easter Message of Fr. Richard Green, Prior of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy – Penrose Park.

Forty days ago, we commenced the season of Lent with fasting, prayer and arms giving. We have struggled, we have strived, we have failed, and we have succeeded in our Lenten observances. We have now celebrated Holy Week, the Lord’s entrance triumphant into Jerusalem, his last meal with the disciples in the upper room – the institution of the Eucharist and the ordained priesthood – we walked the Way of the Cross. We stood at the foot of the cross with Mary and Saint John. At Calvary, we waited outside the front of the tomb, and now we welcome the Risen Christ, glorious triumphant, and of course, we celebrate our salvation, the forgiveness of our sins – the Ransom paid by Christ on the cross. This season of Easter is an opportunity for us to truly be grateful for the gifts that God gives us, our life, our faith, our family and our friends. Let it be an opportunity for us not to just throw away all our Lenten disciplines but allow it to be an opportunity for us to truly appreciate the gifts that God gives us every day.

There are so many things that make up our lives, and many of those things we take for granted. The whole season of Lent was to allow us to channel those energies to nourish that relationship with God and to greater appreciate those things that God gives us. This season of Easter is an opportunity for us to celebrate, and what person doesn’t like a celebration? This is the celebration of forgiveness. This is salvation. This is us being able to continue nourishing that relationship we have with God through thanksgiving and to pray for the gifts and Graces to be that witness of the Gospel in our circumstances of life. My dear friends, pilgrims, and benefactors, the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy is an oasis for the people of God and other people of different denominations to escape the rat race of life to just spend a few moments in nature, but above all in the presence of almighty God and His Blessed Mother. On behalf of the Pauline fathers here at Penrose Park, at The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, I would like to extend to you and your families a very happy and blessed Easter. May the Risen Lord continue to bless you in your lives, and we look forward to welcoming you here to our Shrine as we celebrate this great season of Easter. All the very best, God bless, thank you.

Fatima Day April

6 April 20236 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Next week will be our Monthly Fatima Day on Thursday, the 13th of April. Fr Wojciech Sliwa, OSPPE, Parish Preist of Merrylands, will be our Main Celebrant.

The program for the day is as follows:

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

Holy Thursday

5 April 20235 April 2023Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Tomorrow – the 6th of April – is Holy Thursday.

There will be no morning Mass at the Shrine (The only morning Mass on Holy Thursday is a Chrism Mass with the Bishop). Instead, there will be a Holy Hour from 11 am – 12 noon.

The Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be at St Paul’s Moss Vale at 6 pm. Adoration at the Altar of Repose 7 – 9 pm.