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.