Here are the announcements for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, the 24th of March:
PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go the Confession and Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (15th June 2024).
CONFESSIONS BEFORE EASTER
Today, Palm Sunday (24th March) Confession will be available 30 minutes before and during the usual scheduled Masses. This is to give all pilgrims a chance to go to reconciliation before Easter.
ANNUAL CHRISM MASS
Each year the Priests of the Diocese gather with Bishop Brian to celebrate the Chrism Mass. During the Mass the Priests renew their Ordination promises and the oils of the Church are blessed and consecrated. The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 7pm on Tuesday 26th March 2024 at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Wollongong. Please pray for the Priests of our Diocese.
PASSION PLAY
The annual reenactment of the Lord’s Passion (Passion Play) will take place in the Shrine, commencing at 11am on Good Friday 29th March. Please note, this is free and open to all, no bookings need to be made. Food & drink will also be available for purchase. Good Friday is also a day of Fasting and abstinence, Pilgrims are allowed to picnic on site but we ask that NO meat is consumed or BBQed on the day. There are still some roles that need to be filled, for more information and to receive updates regarding rehearsals etc please go to: https://goodfridaypassionplay.blogspot.com/ and sign up to receive notifications.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday (24th March)
8am & 9:30am – Mass commencing from the front door of the Monastery
11am – Solemn Mass with Procession commencing from the Statue of St John Paul II
11am – Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday & Wednesday (25th, 26th & 27th March)
Holy Thursday (28th March)
No Mass at 11am
6pm – Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper (with washing of the feet)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – until midnight
Good Friday (29th March)
11am – Passion Play (commencing at the front gate of the property)
3pm – Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion
5pm – Novena to Divine Mercy
7pm – Vespers (Prayer of the Church)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am until 10pm
Holy Saturday (30th March)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am to Midday
8:30am – Lauds (Prayer of the Church)
11:30am – Novena to the Divine Mercy
7pm – Solemn Easter Vigil Mass
Easter Sunday (31st March)
8am & 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday
Divine Mercy Novena – immediately following each of the Masses
Easter Octave (1st-6th April)
11am Mass followed by the Novena to the Divine Mercy.
Divine Mercy Sunday (7th April)
8am & 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday
2pm – Divine Mercy Holy Hour (Confession available)