2024 - Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park

Working Bee – July – Cancelled

18 July 202418 July 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Due to several circumstances, the working bee planned for this weekend is cancelled.

Thank you always for your support.

Announcements for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

13 July 202413 July 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 14th of July:

FATIMA DAY
Fatima day, as usual was a great success. A very special THANK YOU to Fr Joseph Maria for a sterling job in leading the days celebrations.

BR MATTHEW – HEALTH CONDITION
Br Matthew is resting and healing well and is on no duties, other than spiritual duties during his time of recovery. Fr Richard would like to thank everyone for their prayers thus far but please keep up the prayers for Br Matthew and his speedy recovery. St Raphael the Archangel, pray for him.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is available for the faithful to come and adore the Lord in the Shrine Church at the side chapel of Divine Mercy from 9:30am to 11am, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and in the Old Monastery on Wednesday. It is customary to have custodians keeping vigil so as the Blessed Sacrament is not left alone from the point of security and of course, piety. For anyone wishing to participate on a regular basis or for more information please speak to either Fr Richard or Fr Joseph Maria. Thank you to those whop have already volunteered.

WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be on Saturday 20th July. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

BLESSING OF VEHICLES AND MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
In honour of the feast day of St Christopher, Patron Saint of travellers, after each of the Masses on Sunday 28th July, there will be a special blessing and sprinkling of Holy water on all vehicles and modes of transportation. Motorcycles are welcome to park on the footpath opposite the piety stall.

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.

WINTER SEASON – WEEKDAY MASSES
Weekday Masses (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday) during the winter season will be celebrated at the side Altar of Divine Mercy in the Shrine Church. Wednesday Mass will be celebrated as usual in the Old Monastery. Please note: If there is a Solemnity or a large group booked to come then Mass will be celebrated at the Main Altar of the Shrine Church.

REGULAR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY DEVOTIONS AFTER MASS
Every Friday and Saturday after Mass there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and devotions (Friday to the Divine Mercy and Saturday to Our Lady) during this time confession is available. Devotions finish at 12pm with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the Angelus. This is just a regular reminder to invite people to come along and to spend some time in communal prayer to Our Lord and Lady. Please note: First Saturday has its own schedule, found on the from page of the bulletin.

UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS FOR THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHRINE
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the blessing and opening of Penrose Park. The main celebration was in May but there are a few more celebrations planned to Mark the occasion. Please consider saving the dates for the following and information regarding the celebrations will be out in a couple of weeks.
24th-26th August – Triduum for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mercy.
Sunday 13th October – Extended Fatima day celebrations with concert.

We are looking forward to your participation in these celebrations!

Fatima Day – July

12 July 202412 July 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Tomorrow, the 13th of July is our Monthly Fatima Day. Our main celebrant will be Fr Joseph Maria Buckley.

The program will be as usual:

10 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10:30 am Rosary
11 am Solemn Mass (of the Feast of St. Anthony)
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.

Pilgrims are reminded that Penrose Park can get very cold at this time of year. Please make sure to rug up and bring a jacket.

Here are some photos from Fatima Day, August 2023.

Announcements for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

6 July 20246 July 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 7th of July:

BR MATTHEW – HEALTH CONDITION
Many of you may be aware that Br Matthew has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. On Thursday 20th June, he had an operation to remove the cancer. It was successful and he was starting to recover well. He was discharged on Tuesday only to be readmitted to Goulburn hospital with some post operation complications. The surgery was successful and he is healing well. Last Saturday he was discharged from Goulburn hospital and is back at the monastery. Br Matthew is resting and healing well and is on no duties, other than spiritual duties during his time of recovery. Please keep up the prayers for Br Matthew and his speedy recovery. St Raphael the Archangel, pray for him.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is available for the faithful to come and adore the Lord in the Shrine Church at the side chapel of Divine Mercy from 9am to 11am, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and in the Old Monastery on Wednesday. It is customary to have custodians keeping vigil so as the Blessed Sacrament is not left alone from the point of security and of course, piety. For anyone wishing to participate on a regular basis or for more information please speak to either Fr Richard or Fr Joseph Maria. Thank you to those whop have already volunteered.

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.

We are looking forward to your participation in these celebrations!

Our Lady of Fatima Altar in the Shrine Church

First Saturday – July 2024

4 July 20244 July 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Saturday, the 6th of July, we will be having our First Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady, as she asked for during the apparitions at Fatima. The program will be as always:

10 am Devotional Talk
10:30 am Meditation before the Blessed Sacrament and Confession
11 am Mass
12-noon Rosary Procession around 5 Altars of the Church

Announcements for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

30 June 202430 June 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 30th of June:

BR MATTHEW – HEALTH CONDITION
Many of you may be aware that Br Matthew has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. On Thursday 20th June, he had an operation to remove the cancer. It was successful and he was starting to recover well. He was discharged on Tuesday only to be readmitted to Goulburn hospital with some post operation complications. The surgery was successful and he is starting to heal. Please keep up the prayers for Br Matthew and his speedy recovery. St Raphael the Archangel, pray for him.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
From Monday 1st July, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be available to the faithful at the Side chapel of Divine Mercy from 9am to 11am, Monday to Saturday. It is customary to have custodians keeping vigil so as the Blessed Sacrament is not left alone from the point of security and of course, piety. For anyone wishing to participate on a regular basis or for more information please speak to either Fr Richard or Fr Joseph Maria.

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.

Announcements for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

23 June 202423 June 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 23th of June:

BR MATTHEW – HEALTH CONDITION
Many of you may be aware that Br Matthew has been diagnosed with cancer. Last Thursday he had an operation to remove the cancer. The surgery was undertaken at the Macquarie University Hospital. The operation was successful and Br Matthew is slowly recovering, he will be in hospital for a few days. Thank you for all you prayers and support at this time.

FATIMA DAY – JUNE
Thank you to everyone who came along and especially all who helped out on Fatima Day. As usual it was a success and a special Thank you to Fr Peter James Strohmayer OSPPE for being the main celebrant and homilist.

WORKING BEE
Thank you to all who participated in the monthly working bee last week. The next working bee will be on Saturday 20th July. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

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.

VOTIVE CANDLE STANDS
This is a periodic reminder that 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 lights or 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 lights or candles please give them to someone in the Monastic community or leave them unlit on one of the side Altars.

Announcements for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

15 June 202415 June 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 16th of June:

WORKING BEE
Thank you to all who participated in the monthly working bee. The next working bee will be on Saturday 20th July. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

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.

NOVENA TO ST ANTHONY OF PADUA
Thank you to all who sent in intentions for the novena to St Anthony.

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 Master 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.

Fatima Day – June

12 June 202412 June 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Tomorrow, the 13th of June is our Monthly Fatima Day, it will also the the Feast of St Anthony. We will welcome Fr Peter James Strohmayer, the Parish Priest of St. Gertrude’s Smithfield as our main celebrant.

The program will be as usual:

10 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10:30 am Rosary
11 am Solemn Mass (of the Feast of St. Anthony)
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.

Pilgrims are reminded that Penrose Park can get very cold at this time of year. Please make sure to rug up and bring a jacket.

Here are some photos from June last year.

Announcements for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

8 June 20248 June 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 9th of June:

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OF FR GABRIEL TAYLOR OSPPE
Fr Gabriel passed away peacefully on Thursday 8th June 2023 at about 3:30pm at Holy Family Services nursing home in Marayong. Fr Gabriel recently celebrated his 32nd anniversary of Priestly Ordination. He is known for his gentle and approachable nature, a man both of God and of the people. He was always one for a smile and a laugh. Fr Gabriel was a very well renowned confessor with many pilgrims coming especially on Fatima Day (13th of each month) just so as they can go to him for confession. Fr Gabriel had been in Penrose Park for the previous 12 years before his death and previous to that had spent 15 years in Marian Valley (Canungra, QLD) filling various offices and roles within the monastic community. Due to his declining health in 2016, he resigned as Prior of the Monastery and Rector of the Shrine. Over the year prior to his death, he had been battled with a cancer on his head which had gone through to the bone and exposing the brain thus making it untreatable. In November 2022, Fr Gabriel was given 2-5 years depending on the spread of the cancer and in December 2022, he was admitted into Holy Family Services, Marayong to receive the full care that he deserved. Unfortunately from April 2023 the cancer spread rapidly and was found to be untreatable and affected him physically, causing paralysis and slowly shutting his body down. Fr Gabriel’s funeral was celebrated by Bishop Columba MacBeth-Green, Bishop of Wilcannia Forbes on 20th June 2023. He is buried at St Patrick’s cemetery, Sutton Forest. Fr Gabriel will be truly missed as a Shrine community member and the Pauline Province of Australia. May he Rest in Peace!

SHRINE NEWS

WELCOME BACK
Fr Joseph Maria has returned from his annual leave. We pray he has had a wonderful time with friends and family and has come back refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

WORKING BEE
A reminder that this month the usual working bee will gather together to continue work and upkeep of the Shrine. The working bee will be on Saturday 15th June. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

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.

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.