First Saturday January 2026

Saturday, the 3rd of January, we will have our First Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady, as she requested 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

Our Lady made several promises connected to the keeping of the First Saturday Devotions for 5 consecutive months, which are the salvation of your own soul, the salvation of sinners and peace in the world.

Announcements for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Here are the announcements for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, the 28th of December:

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE for 2025/26

Octave of Christmas: (Fri 26th, Sat 27th, Mon 29th, Tues 30th, Wed 31st):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Octave of Christmas (Sunday 28th):
8am, 9:30am & 11am English Masses in the Shrine Church
*Please note: The 11am Mass will be a Solemn Mass bringing to a conclusion the Jubilee Year 2025, thus it will be the last opportunity for Pilgrims to get the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.

Wednesday 31st December (New Years Eve)
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2025

Thursday 1st January 2025
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from Sunday 4th January 2026

CHRISTMAS CARDS, GIFTS AND WISHES
Fr Richard and the Community of Penrose Park would like to express their sincere gratitude to all pilgrims who sent in cards, gifts and good wishes for Christmas. It was all truly appreciated and it was joyful time for the community to celebrate. God bless you all!

CONCLUSION OF THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025
As the Jubilee has drawn to a close, Fr Richard would like to exress his heartfelt THANKS to Bishop Brian for bestowing this great honour upon the Shrine as well as to all the Groups and individuals who can on pilgrimage to Penrose Park to recieve the Plenary indulgence. It has been an extremly busy year but a rewarding time filled with love, joy, conversion and deepened trust in the presence of God through the intercession of His Mother Mary! Let us now turn our attention to preparing for the Eucharistic Congress to be held in Sydney in 2028.

CHRISTMAS NOVENA
The Novena commenced on 16th and ended on 24th December 2025. Thank you to everyone for sending in their intentions for the Novena. God bless you all.

BLESSED EPIPHANY CHALK AND WATER
The tradition of blessing the chalk and Holy water to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is a beautiful tradition of the Catholic Church. The blessing will take place 6pm on Saturday 3rd January 2026.

NOVENA TO ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT (PATRIARCH OF THE PAULINE ORDER)
This will take place from Tuesday 6th January to Wednesday 14th January 2026 at the 11am Masses (inclusive of Sunday). For those wishing to include intentions for the novena (these will be place upon the High Altar), slips can be found at the side table of the Church. Intentions can be left in one of the offering boxes in the Church, handed back to one of the Fathers or Brothers or put into the collection basket.

FATIMA DAY – 13th January 2026
The celebrant for January will be Fr Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province.

SOLEMNITY OF ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT
The Solemnity of the Patriarch of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Thursday 15th January 2026 at the 11am Mass. During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Religious Profession. At the end of Mass there will be a special blessing of the fruits of the Palm along with a special blessing for children. Please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Pauline Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, QUEEN OF HERMITS
The Solemnity of the Patroness of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Friday 16th January 2026 at the 11am Mass During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Covenant to the Blessed Virgin. Again please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

WORKING BEE

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the December working bee and those who helped throughout the year of 2025. There will be a break in January. The next working bee will be on Saturday, 21st February 2026. Please consider coming along and helping to keep the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims who visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, the Diocese, and the country; any help or talent is always most welcome. Please speak to Fr. Joseph Maria, Subprior, for more information or specifics.

Announcements for the 4th Sunday in Advent

Here are the announcements for the 4th Sunday in Advent, the 21st of December:

WORKING BEE

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the December working bee and those who helped throughout the year of 2025. There will be a break in January. The next working bee will be on Saturday, 21st February 2026. Please consider coming along and helping to keep the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims who visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, the Diocese, and the country; any help or talent is always most welcome. Please speak to Fr. Joseph Maria, Subprior, for more information or specifics.

CHRISTMAS NOVENA
The Novena commenced on 16th and will end on 24th December. Thank you to everyone for sending in their intentions to be included in this Novena as we countdown towards Christmas. God bless you all.

FATIMA DAY
The celebrant for January will be Fr Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province.

BLESSED EPIPHANY CHALK AND WATER
The tradition of blessing the chalk and Holy water to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is a beautiful tradition of the Catholic Church. The blessing will take place 6pm on Saturday 4th January 2026.

NOVENA TO ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT (PATRIARCH OF THE PAULINE ORDER)
This will take place from Tuesday 6th January to Wednesday 14th January 2026 at the 11am Masses (inclusive of Sunday). For those wishing to include intentions for the novena (these will be place upon the High Altar), slips can be found at the side table of the Church. Intentions can be left in one of the offering boxes in the Church, handed back to one of the Fathers or Brothers or put into the collection basket.

SOLEMNITY OF ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT
The Solemnity of the Patriarch of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Thursday 15th January 2026 at the 11am Mass. During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Religious Profession. At the end of Mass there will be a special blessing of the fruits of the Palm along with a special blessing for children. Please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Pauline Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, QUEEN OF HERMITS
The Solemnity of the Patroness of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Friday 16th January 2026 at the 11am Mass During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Covenant to the Blessed Virgin. Again please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE for 2025/26

Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas: (Fri 26th, Sat 27th, Mon 29th, Tues 30th, Wed 31st):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Octave of Christmas (Sunday 28th):
8am, 9:30am & 11am English Masses in the Shrine Church
*Please note: The 11am Mass will be a Solemn Mass bringing to a conclusion the Jubilee Year 2025, thus it will be the last opportunity for Pilgrims to get the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.

Wednesday 31st December (New Years Eve)
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2025

Thursday 1st January 2025
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from Sunday 4th January 2026

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available before and after each Mass on Sunday 21st December
Appointments can be made as well.

December Working Bee – Saturday 20th

Please consider coming along to our working bee on Saturday, the 20th of December, and helping keep the Shrine beautiful and spiritually uplifting for our local area and the pilgrims who visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, the Diocese, and the country; any help and any form of talent are always most welcome.

During this month’s working bee, we will focus on the International Chapels. What is attempted depends on who attends and their interests. The list includes:

  • Trimming bushes
  • Fixing the paved path
  • Mowing
  • Weeding
  • Pressure washing
  • Painting
  • General cleanup

It would greatly assist in planning if anyone interested in coming would let Fr. Joseph Maria know what projects they might be interested in working on. It is not expected that we will be able to complete the entire list.

If you have tools that can help with the particular task you are interested in, you are encouraged to bring them along.

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
  • Lunch around 1:30 pm
  • Finish around 3:30 pm (for those who can stay the whole day).

The Fathers and Brothers pray for the intentions of volunteers to the Shrine every day.

Christmas & New Year Mass Times

Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas
(Fri 26th, Sat 27th, Mon 29th, Tues 30th, Wed 31st):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Octave of Christmas (Sunday 28th):
8am, 9:30am & 11am English Masses in the Shrine Church
*Please note: The 11am Mass will be a Solemn Mass bringing to a conclusion the Jubilee Year 2025, thus it will be the last opportunity for Pilgrims to get the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.

Wednesday 31st December (New Years Eve)
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2025

Thursday 1st January 2025
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from Sunday 4th January 2026

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available before and after each Mass on Sunday 21st December
Appointments can be made as well.

Announcements for the 3rd Sunday in Advent

Here are the announcements for the 3rd Sunday in Advent, the 14th of December:

DECEMBER FIRST SATURDAY RETREAT DAY
Thank you to everyone who came along and participated in the First Saturday Retreat day. It was well attended, and we look forward to inviting and welcoming you for the Lenten First Saturday Retreat day on Saturday, 7th March 2026.

FATIMA DAY
A Huge THANK YOU to Fr. Jeremy Santoso OSPPE, assistant Priest of St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands and consultor of the Australian Pauline Province for accepting the invitation to be the celebrant for December. It was a wonderful day and well attended.

The celebrant for January will be Fr Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province.

WORKING BEE

The next working bee will be on Saturday, 20th December 2025. Please consider coming along and helping to keep the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims who visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, the Diocese, and the country; any help or talent is 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)
This is a periodic reminder that Pilgrims can 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.

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE for 2025/26

Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas

(Fri 26th, Sat 27th, Mon 29th, Tues 30th, Wed 31st):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Octave of Christmas (Sunday 28th):
8am, 9:30am & 11am English Masses in the Shrine Church
*Please note: The 11am Mass will be a Solemn Mass bringing to a conclusion the Jubilee Year 2025,
thus it will be the last opportunity for Pilgrims to get the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.

Wednesday 31st December (New Years Eve)
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2025

Thursday 1st January 2025
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from Sunday 4th January 2026

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available before and after each Mass on Sunday 21st December
Appointments can be made as well.

Fatima Day – December

As always on the 13th of the Month, we will honour the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Shrine with our Fatima Day on Saturday, the 13th of December. Fr. Jeremy Santoso, assistant Priest of St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands, will be the main celebrant for December.

The program is as follows:

  • 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.

Here are some photos from previous celebrations.

Announcements for the 2nd Sunday in Advent

Here are the announcements for the 2nd Sunday in Advent, the 7th of December:

DECEMBER FIRST SATURDAY RETREAT DAY
Thank you to everyone who came along and participated in the First Saturday Retreat day. It was well attended, and we look forward to inviting and welcoming you for the Lenten First Saturday on Saturday, 7th March 2026.

FATIMA DAY
Fr. Jeremy Santoso, assistant Priest of St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands, will be the main celebrant for December.

WORKING BEE

Thank you to everyone who came along and participated in the monthly working bee. The next working bee will be on Saturday, 20th December 2025. Please consider coming along and helping to keep the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims who visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, the Diocese, and the country; any help or talent is 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)
This is a periodic reminder that Pilgrims can 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.

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE for 2025/26

Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
No Vigil Mass
11:15pm – Christmas Carol service in the Shrine Church

Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day)
12am – Midnight Mass
11am – Mass of Christmas Day

Octave of Christmas

(Fri 26th, Sat 27th, Mon 29th, Tues 30th, Wed 31st):
11am Mass in the Shrine Church

Octave of Christmas (Sunday 28th):
8am, 9:30am & 11am English Masses in the Shrine Church
*Please note: The 11am Mass will be a Solemn Mass bringing to a conclusion the Jubilee Year 2025,
thus it will be the last opportunity for Pilgrims to get the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.

Wednesday 31st December (New Years Eve)
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2025

Thursday 1st January 2025
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from Sunday 4th January 2026

Confessions before Christmas
Confession will be available before and after each Mass on Sunday 21st December
Appointments can be made as well.

Advent Retreat & First Saturday, 6th of December

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 program will be as follows:

  • 10 am Advent Reflection – Fr Joseph Maria
  • 10:30 am Meditation before the Blessed Sacrament and Confession
  • 11 am Mass
  • 12 noon Rosary Procession around 5 Altars of the Church
  • 12:30 pm BYO Lunch
  • 1:30 pm Advent devotions based on the Jessie Tree
  • 2:00 pm Reflection – Fr Isidore Enyinnaya

The retreat is Free to attend with No Booking. BYO lunch, but tea and coffee are provided in the Marquee.