Here are the announcements for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the 9th of November:
CATHOLIC MISSIONS ANNUAL APPEAL
Thank you to everyone who donated and assisted in some way for this year’s annual appeal for Catholic Mission.
THE PROMISE – DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG ADVENT & CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS
Each Advent the Diocese of Wollongong produce a lovely booklet to help people prepare for and to celebrate the season of Christmas. This year the theme is “The Promise”. The booklets are for sale at the side table in the Shrine Church. They are $10 each and they have daily reflections for Advent and the Christmas season. The reflections are written by various Priests and Religious, both from the Diocese of Wollongong and nationwide, including a reflection from the Shrine’s Prior, Fr Richard. Please support the work of the Diocese and purchase a copy, as this is put out to help us all prepare spiritually for the birth of the Saviour.
NOVEMBER – MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
It’s 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!
FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for Fatima day in November will be Fr Anthony Robbie, Parish Priest of Bondi.
WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along and participated in the October working bee. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th November 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.
FAMILY LIFE INTERNATIONAL – PRO-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL: HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS
Where: NSW Parliament Date: Saturday 15th November 2025 Time: 8:30am-10:30am
Enquiries & Registration: www.fli.org.au Contact: mail@fli.org.au or 02 9519 9111
MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS AT THE OLD MONASTERY
The next morning tea will be on Sunday 16th November 2025, All Welcome!!!
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. Please save this date in your calendars and come along to celebrate this great event in the life of the Shrine and the Diocese.
The Cross will also be hosted at St Paul’s International College on Wednesday 19th November 2025. For details of their schedule, please find copies on the side table of the Church.
PROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF THE PAULINE FATHERS AND BROTHERS, AUSTRALIA
From Tuesday 18th November to Thursday 20th November 2025, at Penrose Park, the Fathers and Brothers of the Australian Pauline Province will be gathering for their Elective Chapter, chaired by the Father General of the Order, Fr Arnold Chrapkowski OSPPE. This is an important time in the life of the Province. Please keep the Province in your prayers at this time.
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