Here are the announcements for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the 2nd of February:
YEAR OF JUBILEE 2025
Bishop Brian Mascord, Bishop of Wollongong has appointed 6 Churches as offical pilgrimage sites during this year of Jubilee. The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park is one of those six, which Bishop Brian came to inaugurate here on the 12th of January. Therefore during this year, anyone coming on pilgrimage to the Shrine can gain a Plenary indulgence (full remission of sin and the punishments incurred) by fulfilling the requirements of: Visiting the Shrine, Confession, Mass with Holy Communion and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. This is a great honour for the Shrine, and we welcome all our pilgrims to come along and celebrate the Jubilee year. Events will be planned throughout the year, so please stay tuned to our website and social media for more information.
ANNUAL LEAVE
From 18th January 2025, Fr Richard, Prior & Rector of the Shrine will be on annual leave. During his absence, Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior & Vice Rector, will be in charge. We pray that Fr Richard will have a pleasant and safe holiday and come back refreshed.
FATIMA DAY – 13th FEBRUARY 2025
The main celebrant for Fatima day will be Fr Joseph Maria Buckley, Subprior & Vice Rector of Penrose Park.
WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along to help with the monthly working bee. All your help is greatly appreciated. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th February 2025. Please consider coming along and helping to keep 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. Please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior for more information or specifics.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (1st & 3rd Sunday’s of the month)
From December 2024, there will be an opportunity for Pilgrims to have some quiet time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will be on the First and Third weeks of the month from 12:15pm – 1:15pm. As always, it is important to have custodians to keep vigil of the Blessed Sacrament, so if there are any volunteers looking to commit, please let Fr Richard know.
MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
The next morning tea after Mass will be on Sunday 16th February 2025. All Welcome!
NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH
The novena to St Joseph, will be celebrated from 10th – 18th March 2025. For anyone wishing to include their intentions in the novena, forms are available on the side table of the Shrine Church as well as they can be found online via the Shrine website. St Joseph, pray for us!
BLESSING OF CANDLES ON THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Sunday 2nd of February 2025, there will be the traditional blessing of candles. People are welcome to bring their own candles along to be included in the blessing.
BLESSING OF THROATS
On Monday 3rd of February 2025, Feast of Saint Blaise, the traditional blessing of throats against sickness, will happen during the 11 am Mass.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES (Tuesday 11th February 2025)
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 during the 11am Mass. The anointing is for those seeking healing either physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.
FUNERAL FOR VINCE STROHMAYER
On Sunday, 26th of January Vince Strohmayer, the father of Fr. Peter James Strohmayer OSPPE, passed away after suffering from terminal illness for some time. His funeral will be on Thursday, 6th of February, at our Sydney Parish of St. Gertrude’s, where Fr. Peter is the parish priest. Please keep Vince and his family in your prayers.