2024 - Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park

February Working Bee

14 February 202414 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

The working bee this month will focus on the Gotto at the back of the property, where we end our Fatima Day processions and also complete the Good Friday reenactment of the Lord’s Passion to make it look as beautiful as we can.

The program for the day would be:

Mass at around 8:15 am in the Shrine Church
Begin work at 9 am at the back of the property
BBQ lunch around 1:30 pm

The work will be everything from removing weeds and plants and mulching the garden to cleaning around the statues.

Solid shoes and gloves would be a must.

First Saturday – February Talk

11 February 20248 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here is the talk Fr. Joseph Maria gave during the First Saturday Devotions this February. He spoke about Our Lady of Fatima and the Immaculate Conception.

The next first Saturday will be the 2nd of March. The program will be as usual:

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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

10 February 20248 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 11th of February:

OUR LADY OF LOURDES (Sunday 11th February)
In honour of our Lady of Lourdes, Patroness of all those with illness seeking healing, the Rite of anointing of the sick will be offered after each of the scheduled Sunday Masses. The anointing is for those seeking healing either physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.

FATIMA DAY (Tuesday 13th February)
The main celebrant for Fatima Day in February will be Fr Dr. Casimir Zielinski OSPPE, Assistant Priest of St Gertrude’s, Smithfield.

DIOCESAN LENTEN PROGRAM
These will soon be available for purchase to help guide people through the season of Lent. This is a great resource prepared for people by the Diocese of Wollongong. Price for the booklets will be $10 each.

ASH WEDNESDAY & THE LENTEN SEASON (14th February)
This will commence the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a day of Fasting and Abstinence. Masses at the Shrine will be celebrated at 11am (followed by the Stations of the Cross) & 6pm. The stations of the cross will be prayed each Friday & Saturday after the 11am Mass during which confession will also be available.

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.

ANNUAL LEAVE
Fr Richard, Prior of the Monastery, is on annual leave to Monday 12th February. During this time Fr Joseph, Subprior will be in charge. We wish Father Richard a happy and safe holiday. Br Matthew will also be leaving for his holiday on 5th February. We pray that he will have a good and restful time away and come back refreshed.

WORKING BEE
The monthly working bees will recommence for 2024. This takes place on the third Saturday of the month. Mass is celebrated in the Shrine Church at 8:15am and work commences about 9am. A BBQ lunch is provided for all who participate. Please consider coming to assist as many hands make light work as well as pilgrims can already see the great effect that is beautifying the Shrine. For more information or to volunteer please speak to Fr Joseph Maria. The next working bee will be: Saturday 17th February

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
Thank you to all who provided something for the morning tea after the 8am Mass last week. The morning teas are proving to be popular especially for pilgrims to meet one another and have a chat in a social setting. In January there will be NO morning tea. The next Morning Tea will be: Sunday 18th February.

Fatima Day – February 13th

9 February 20248 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

The main celebrant for Fatima Day in February will be Fr Dr. Casimir Zielinski OSPPE, Assistant Priest of St Gertrude’s, Smithfield.

The Program for the day will be as usual:

10 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10:30 am Rosary
11 am Solemn Mass
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.

There will be Food Available for purchase.

Procession to the Grotto outside the Church

Fr Damian leading prayers during the Procession to the Grotto

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church

Ash Wednesday & the Lenten Season

8 February 20248 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Ash Wednesday (14th February) will commence the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a day of Fasting and Abstinence. Masses at the Shrine will be celebrated at 11am (followed by the Stations of the Cross) & 6pm. The stations of the cross will be prayed each Friday & Saturday after the 11am Mass during which confession will also be available.

The Diocesan Lenten Program will soon be available for purchase to help guide people through the season of Lent. This is a great resource prepared for people by the Diocese of Wollongong. Price for the booklets will be $10 each.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

8 February 20248 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

In honour of our Lady of Lourdes, Patroness of all those with illness seeking healing, the Rite of anointing of the sick will be offered after each of the scheduled Sunday Masses on Sunday 11th February. The anointing is for those seeking healing either physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.

Announcements for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

3 February 20243 February 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 4th of February:

First Saturday – February

29 January 202429 January 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

This Saturday, 3rd of February, we will have our First Saturday Devotions, 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

Here are the talks from the last two First Saturdays.

January

https://youtu.be/sGHCsWxnaP4

December

https://youtu.be/wz9dB1UBpDM

Announcements for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

27 January 202427 January 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 28th of January:

SOLEMNITY OF ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT & MARY, QUEEN OF HERMITS
Thank you to everyone who came and participated with the community during the Solemnities of the Patriarch and Patroness of the Order. May God bless you all through the intercession of of Mary, Queen of Hermits and St Paul the First Hermit.

FATIMA DAY (Tuesday 13th February)
The main celebrant for Fatima Day in February will be Fr Dr. Casimir Zielinski OSPPE, Assistant Priest of St Gertrude’s, Smithfield.

ASH WEDNESDAY (14th February)
This will commence the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a day of Fasting and Abstinence. Masses at the Shrine will be celebrated at 11am (followed by the Stations of the Cross) & 6pm.

ANNUAL LEAVE
Fr Richard, Prior of the Monastery, will be taking annual leave from Wednesday 17th January to Monday 12th February. During this time Fr Joseph, Subprior will be in charge. We wish Father Richard a happy and safe holiday.

Announcements for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 January 202420 January 2024Fr. Joseph MariaLeave a comment

Here are the announcements for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 21st of January:

FATIMA DAY (Saturday 13th January)
Thank you to Fr Brian for accepting our invitation to celebrate Fatima Day. It was a great day and a special Thank you to all volunteers for your work and support. The main celebrant for Fatima Day in February will be Fr Dr. Casimir Zielinski OSPPE, Assistant Priest of St Gertrude’s, Smithfield.