Here are the announcements for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 5th of October:
ANNUAL RETREAT
This past week 29th September to 3rd October 2025, the Fathers and Brothers of the Province gathered at our sister Shrine of Marian Valley (Canungra, Qld) for the Provincial annual retreat. Please continue to keep all the Fathers and Brothers in your prayers and to pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life.
INVESTITURE WITH THE RELIGIOUS HABIT
On Tuesday 7th October 2025 at 11am, Fr Isidore will formally be invested with the Religious Habit of the Pauline Order. Please come along to pray with the Pauline Fathers and Brothers and to support Fr Isidore as he continues his vocational journey within our Province.
WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along and participated in the September working bee. A good amount of work was achieved in cleaning up and preparing the “Bethlehem Shrine” for Christmas. All efforts are truly appreciated.
The next working bee will be on Saturday 18th October 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.
FATIMA DAY
The Main Celebrant for October will be the Most Reverend Columba MacBeth-Green OSPPE DD, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes.
MAJOR WORK ON THE SHRINE CHURCH
Father Richard has engaged “Powered by Watts”, a local electrical company to replace the ceiling lights in the Shrine Church, which have not worked for some years, replace the lights behind the main Crucifix, add some powerpoint and bring up to current spec the wiring. There will also be outdoor lighting, making access to the Church easier as well as the decommissioning of the old toilet block. The work has begun but will take some time to complete. The total cost of the works is around $15,000.00
For anyone who would like to donate towards the work, please speak to Fr Richard. Alternatively, you can use the tap and go points or make a direct transfer to the Pauline Fathers. Details are as follows: BSB: 062 576 Account Number: 00910786 Account Name: Order of St Paul the Hermit
MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS AT THE OLD MONASTERY
The next morning tea will be on Sunday 19th October 2025.
NOVEMBER – MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
Its traditional in the Church to pray for the faithful departed during the month of November. From the 1st-30th November, the 11am Mass will be offered to pray for all those who have died. For those wishing to add names of loved ones, forms can be found on the side table of the Church. Forms and donations can be put in one of the wooden offering boxes, handed into to one of the community or put into the collection. Alternatively forms and donations can be made online via the Shrine website. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
PILGRIMAGE OF THE MIGRANT JUBILEE CROSS
The Diocese of Wollongong are excited to be hosting a section of the Pilgrimage of the Migrant Jubilee Cross 2025-2026, between 15 and 23 November this year. The Jubilee Cross has been crafted as a tangible symbol of the Church as a place of refuge and solidarity. It acknowledges and celebrates the deep faith and contributions that migrant Communities bring to the Australian Church. It houses sacred relics of the Holy Family and St Mary
MacKillop. In our diocese, the Cross will begin its journey as part of the existing Diocesan Pilgrimage to Milton-Ulladulla on Sat 15 November. It will travel through various parish communities before reaching the Cathedral on Fri 21 November, where it will stay until the Sunday.
The Cross will be hosted at Penrose Park on Monday 17th November 2025 commencing with the 11am Mass. There will be other activities planned, information will be given in the coming weeks. Please save this date in your calendars and come along to celebrate this great event in the life of the Shrine and the Diocese.
DECEMBER FIRST SATURDAY RETREAT DAY
Saturday, the 6th of December, we will have our First Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady, as she requested during the apparitions at Fatima. In addition for the Advent Season, we will have an extended program to turn the day into a full-day Advent retreat. The retreat is Free to attend with No Booking. BYO lunch, but tea and coffee are provided in the Marquee. The program will be as follows:
- 10am Advent Reflection – Fr Joseph Maria
- 10:30am Meditation before the Blessed Sacrament and Confession
- 11am Mass
- 12 noon Rosary Procession around 5 Altars of the Church
- 12:30pm BYO Lunch
- 1:30pm Advent devotions based on the Jessie Tree
- 2:00pm Reflection – Fr Isidore Enyinnaya