Month: May 2024

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the 26th of May:

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (26th May 2024).

FATIMA DAY – MAY 13th & 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHRINE
Fatima Day was a great success, due to all the rain, the Mass was celebrated in the Church. There was a little over 2000 people in attendance. The Main Celebrant was Bishop Brian Mascord. Thank you to the Bishop for celebrating an inspiring liturgy and giving a fantastic homily. The procession took place as usual. Thank you to all who participated and helped organised it was truly a great day. The next major event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Shrine will be Sunday 13th October.

MORNING TEA
There will be a break from the monthly morning tea after the 8am Mass for the winter season. This will recommence Sunday 15th September.

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd June. Following the 8am and 9:30am Masses there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and silent Adoration. After the 11am Mass there will be a Eucharistic procession concluding with Solemn Benediction at the outdoor Altar of the Shrine Church. All are invited to come along and participate.

NOVENA TO ST ANTHONY OF PADUA
The Novena will be prayed during the 11am Mass from 4th-12th June. Novena slips are available on the side table for those wishing to add their intentions.

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Fr Richard is looking to hire someone in a part time position as Sacristan. The role of the Sacristan is to prepare for Mass and other liturgical celebrations, help in cleaning and keeping the Church and Sacristy tidy and in order. The Sacristan also liaises and assists the Shrine Mater of Ceremonies (Br Augustine) in bigger liturgical celebrations as well as meeting, greeting and assisting with the various Clergy and pilgrimage groups that come to the Shrine and use the Shrine Church. For more information and specifics or to get a copy of the job description please speak to Fr Richard, Prior & Rector.

Here are the announcements for Pentecost, the 19th of May:

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (26th May 2024).

FATIMA DAY – MAY 13th & 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHRINE
Fatima Day was a great success, due to all the rain, the Mass was celebrated in the Church. There was a little over 2000 people in attendance. The Main Celebrant was Bishop Brian Mascord. Thank you to the Bishop for celebrating an inspiring liturgy and giving a fantastic homily. The procession took place as usual. Thank you to all who participated and helped organised it was truly a great day. The next major event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Shrine will be Sunday 13th October.

MORNING TEA
Will be in the Tent after the 8am Mass this morning. All are welcome to come and partake.

WORKING BEE
Due to the 40th Anniversary of the Shrine, the May working bee will be cancelled. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th June.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
The Solemnity of Mary, Help of Christians will be celebrated on Friday 24th May. Solemn Mass will be celebrated at 11am. After the Mass there will be a rosary procession leaving and returning to the Shrine Church after which there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. All are invited to come along and participate.

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd June. Following the 8am and 9:30am Masses there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and silent Adoration. After the 11am Mass there will be a Eucharistic procession concluding with Solemn Benediction at the outdoor Altar of the Shrine Church. All are invited to come along and participate.

NOVENA TO ST ANTHONY OF PADUA
The Novena will be prayed during the 11am Mass from 4th-12th June. Novena slips are available on the side table for those wishing to add their intentions.

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, the 12th of May:

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (26th May 2024).

WORKING BEE
Due to the 40th Anniversary of the Shrine, the May working bee will be cancelled. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th June.

VIGIL FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST
On Saturday 18th May at 6pm, the Solemn Vigil for the Solemnity of Pentecost will be celebrated in the Shrine Church. This is a beautiful tradition of the Church, also known as the mini Easter Vigil with a selection of readings and the Rite of Baptism, thus bringing to a solemn conclusion the season of Easter. All are invited to come along and participate.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
The Solemnity of Mary, Help of Christians will be celebrated on Friday 24th May. Solemn Mass will be celebrated at 11am. After the Mass there will be a rosary procession leaving and returning to the Shrine Church after which there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. All are invited to come along and participate.

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd June. Following the 8am and 9:30am Masses there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and silent Adoration. After the 11am Mass there will be a Eucharistic procession concluding with Solemn Benediction at the outdoor Altar of the Shrine Church. All are invited to come along and participate.

WISHING ALL MUMS A VERY BLESSED AND
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

40th Anniversary of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy

Next Fatima Day, 13th May, is the celebration (actual date) commemorating the official blessing and opening of the Shrine. The usual Fatima Day schedule will be followed with a lunch time (1pm – 1:30pm) organ recital by Mr Michael Taylor. The Main Celebrant for the day will be the Most Reverend Brian Mascord, Bishop of the Diocese of Wollongong. As the 13th May, falls on a Monday, we still expect a large crowd, a few thousand, so please bring your own chairs as the Mass will be celebrated outside (weather permitting). Food will also be available for purchase on the day.

Here are the announcements for the 5th Sunday of Easter, the 5th of May:

CONGRATULATIONS
On Friday 3rd May, Fr Peter Strohmayer, Parish Priest of Smithfield celebrated his 10th Anniversary of Ordination along with Fr Jeremy Santoso, assistant Priest at Merrylands and Fr Zachary Lewis, Subprior of Marian Valley who celebrated their 5th anniversary of Ordination.

PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (26th May 2024).

WORKING BEE
Due to the 40th Anniversary of the Shrine, the May working bee will be cancelled. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th June.

ANNUAL LEAVE
From Tuesday 23rd April, Fr Joseph Maria will be on annual leave. We wish him a very happy, restful and safe holiday.

VIGIL FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST
On Saturday 18th May at 6pm, the Solemn Vigil for the Solemnity of Pentecost will be celebrated in the Shrine Church. This is a beautiful tradition of the Church, also known as the mini Easter Vigil with a selection of readings and the Rite of Baptism, thus bringing to a solemn conclusion the season of Easter. All are invited to come along and participate.

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd June. Following the 8am and 9:30am Masses there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and silent Adoration. After the 11am Mass there will be a Eucharistic procession concluding with Solemn Benediction at eh outdoor Altar of the Shrine Church. All are invited to come along and participate.

40th Anniversary of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy

Next Fatima Day, 13th May, is the celebration (actual date) commemorating the official blessing and opening of the Shrine. The usual Fatima Day schedule will be followed with a lunch time (1pm – 1:30pm) organ recital by Mr Michael Taylor. The Main Celebrant for the day will be the Most Reverend Brian Mascord, Bishop of the Diocese of Wollongong. As the 13th May, falls on a Monday, we still expect a large crowd, a few thousand, so please bring your own chairs as the Mass will be celebrated outside (weather permitting). Food will also be available for purchase on the day.

Vigil & Funeral Details for Bishop Peter Ingham
The vigil and funeral details for Bishop Peter Ingham have been announced by Bishop Brian Mascord as follows (please note the important information below in relation to limited seating capacity, overflow seating, parking, and livestreaming):

SOLEMN RECEPTION of the body of Bishop Peter will take place at 6:30pm followed by Evening Prayer.
SOLEMN VIGIL LITURGY will follow at 7:30pm.
Summarised details are below:
Thursday, May 9, 2024
6:30 PM: Reception of the body of Bishop Peter
7:30 PM: Vigil Liturgy
St Francis Xavier Cathedral, 36 Harbour Street, Wollongong

SOLEMN PONTIFICAL MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL for Bishop Peter will be offered on Friday 10 May 2024, commencing at 10:30am. Interment will take place in the cathedral grounds at the conclusion of Mass.
Summarised details are below:
Friday, May 10, 2024
10:30 AM
St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong

Relatives, friends, and the people of God are invited to attend the vigil and funeral. Due to the large number of invited bishops, clergy, relatives, dignitaries and close friends attending the funeral, there will be very limited seating inside the cathedral.
Therefore, a large marquee containing overflow seating with television screens will be erected in the carpark adjacent to the cathedral. Bishop Peter’s casket will process past the marquee at the conclusion of the funeral Mass.
Please note, there will be street parking only.

The funeral will also be livestreamed at https://dow.sh/livestream.