Here are the announcements for Palm Sunday, the 29th of March:
PASCHAL PRECEPT
A reminder that all Catholics are obliged to go to Confession and Holy Communion at least once a year between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday (31st May).
PASSION PLAY
The annual reenactment of the Lord’s Passion (Passion Play) will take place in the Shrine, commencing at 11am on Good Friday 3rd April 2026. Please note, this is free and open to all, no bookings need to be made. Food & drink will also be available for purchase. Good Friday is also a day of Fasting and abstinence. Pilgrims are allowed to picnic on site, but we ask that NO meat is consumed or BBQed on the day. There are still some roles that need to be filled, for more information and to receive updates regarding rehearsals etc please go to: https://goodfridaypassionplay.blogspot.com/ and sign up to receive notifications.
VOLUNTEERS FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Thank you in advance to all who have volunteered to help out in some capacity on Good Friday. Fr Richard will meet with everyone at 7:30am. Please come to the garage side of the Monastery, please wear sturdy work gear or casual clothing. Vests and volunteer insignia will be given out at the meeting. Please come one time as we need to be out and about by 8am. For anyone else who would like to volunteer, there is plenty to do and you will be most welcome.
FIRST SATURDAY
The First Saturday of April (4th) is also Holy Saturday. Traditionally the Church does not celebrate Mass on that day as we await outside the tomb for Christ to Rise. The regular First Saturday schedule will NOT take place this day but the Church will be open for Adoration at the Altar of Repose. Confessions will be available by request or appointment.
FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for April will be the Very Rev Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province and the Homilist will be Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be Advised in a few weeks. 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.
NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY
The novena to Divine Mercy, will be celebrated from Good Friday 3rd – Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April 2026. Forms can be found at the side table in the Shrine Church.
LEAVING OF RELIGIOUS ARTICLES
It is requested that people do not leave flyers, leaflets or other devotional items on the side table of the Church without permission from either Fr Joseph Maria or Fr Richard.It is also requested that people not leave broken or damaged religious items they no longer want around the chapels or shrine grounds. And ABSOLUTELY NO lighting of candles during summer outside due to the Fire Hazard of doing so.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
PALM SUNDAY (29th March)
8am – Mass commencing from the front door of the Monastery
9:30am – CANCELLED
11am – Solemn Mass with Procession commencing from the Statue of St John Paul
please bring along palm fronds or olive branches.
11am – Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday & Holy Wednesday (30th, 31st March & 1st April)
HOLY THURSDAY (2nd April)
No Mass at 11am
6pm – Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(with washing of the feet and procession to the Altar of Repose)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – until midnight
GOOD FRIDAY (3rd April)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am until 10pm
11am – Passion Play (commencing at the front of the property)
3pm – Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion (In the Shrine Church)
5pm – Novena to Divine Mercy 7pm – Vespers (Prayer of the Church)
HOLY SATURDAY (4th April)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am to Midday
8:30am – Lauds (Prayer of the Church) 11:30am – Novena to the Divine Mercy
7pm – Solemn Mass of the Easter Vigil
EASTER SUNDAY (5th April)
8am, 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday
Divine Mercy Novena – immediately following each of the Masses
EASTER OCTAVE (6th-11th April)
11am – Mass followed by the Novena to the Divine Mercy.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (12th April)
8am & 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday
2pm – Divine Mercy Holy Hour (Confession available)