Month: June 2026

Here are the announcements for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 21st of June:

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION
OF THE ICON OF THE BLACK MADONNA CELEBRATIONS

The Solemnity will be celebrated on Sunday 23rd August 2026 for the good of the Pilgrims
8am: Mass in the Shrine Church
9am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Lauds in the Shrine Church
9:30am: Usual Mass is CANCELLED!
10:30am: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and singing of the Pauline Litany of the B.V.M (Kleczki)
11am: Solemn Reception of the Most Rev Brian Mascord DD and Solemn Mass of the Anniversary

The Solemnity Proper is celebrated on Wednesday 26th August 2026
9:30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Lauds in the Shrine Church
10:30am: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and singing of the Pauline Litany of the B.V.M
11am: Solemn Mass of the Solemnity / Anniversary celebrated by Very Rev Jaroslaw Zan OSPPE

CONGRATULATIONS FR JEREMY SANTOSO OSPPE
It is with great joy that we announce that Fr Jeremy Santoso OSPPE, assistant Priest of St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands, has been appointed as Parish Priest of St Paul’s, Moss Vale. He will officially commence on 14th July 2026. We warmly welcome Fr Jeremy to the Parish and the Southern Highlands as he undertakes this new phase in his life and Priesthood.

THANK YOU FR MAREK
Fr Marek has been appointed to the Shrine of Our Lady, Help of Christians, Marian Valley in Canungra, Queensland. His appointment officially commences on 14th July 2026.

We take this opportunity to thank Fr Marek for his many many years of service in New South Wales especially at Penrose Park and Moss Vale. His dedication and service has affected many and brought and encouraged many to the faith and service of the Church. We all pray for Fr Marek as he undertakes his new ministry and commences this new phase in his life and Priesthood. THANK YOU FR MAREK AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!

MOVEMENTS IN THE AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE
The only other move within the Province for the moment is Fr Zachary Lewis OSPPE, who has been appointed as Assistant Priest at St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands. Let us also keep Fr Zachary in our prayers as he prepares to start this new ministry in his life and Priesthood.

FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for Fatima day in July will be Fr Jeremy Santoso OSPPE, newly appointed Parish Priest of St Paul’s, Moss Vale.

WORKING BEE
Please Note: There has been a change of date: The next working bee will be Saturday, 11th July 2026. Mass will be celebrated in the Shrine Church at 8:15am, and work will commence around 9am. 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.

FIRST RELIGIOUS VOWS
Fr Isidore’s novitiate in the Order is coming to a close and he will be making his First Religious Profession in the Order of St Paul the First Hermit on Saturday 18th July 2026 at the 11am Mass. All are welcome to come along and participate in this moment in Fr Isidore’s Religious life.

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the 14th of June:

This weekend we celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Patroness of the Diocese of Wollongong.

FATIMA DAY
A huge THANK YOU to Bishop Michael Kennedy, Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle for accepting the invitation to be the main Celebrant for June. It was a great and successful day for all.

WORKING BEE
Please Note: There has been a change of date: The next working bee will be Saturday, 11th July 2026. Mass will be celebrated in the Shrine Church at 8:15am, and work will commence around 9am. 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.

HELPER’S OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS PRO-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL:
Where: NSW Parliament / Date: Saturday June 20, 2026 / Time: 8:30am  – 10:30am 
“Come to the new Calvary, where hearts are touched and souls saved”

25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF THE ICON OF THE BLACK MADONNA
This year, here at Penrose Park, we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Icon of the Black Madonna. The Mass took place on 26th August 2001. The crowns, blessed by St John Paul II, were placed on the icon by the Papal Nuncio at the time, the Most Reverend Francesco Canalini and the late Bishop Peter Ingham, Bishop of Wollongong.

The main celebration of the anniversary will take place on Sunday, 23rd August 2026. More specific details of the celebration will be published in the upcoming bulletins and on the Shrine website.

FIRST RELIGIOUS VOWS
Fr Isidore’s novitiate in the Order is coming to a close and he will be making his First Religious Profession in the Order of St Paul the First Hermit on Saturday 18th July 2026 at the 11am Mass. All are welcome to come along and participate in this moment in Fr Isidore’s Religious life.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
2 weeks ago, a Sacred Host was found left on one of the candlesticks at the Altar of St John Paul II. This is a sacrilege that has occurred, and the Pauline community has prayed and offered prayers in reparation for this sacrilege and all blasphemies against the Blessed Sacrament. This is a twofold announcement:

Firstly: Please be vigilant in the Shrine Church and the grounds. If you come upon a Sacred Host, please take it to the Monastery; there is always someone in residence, and they can take the Host off of you and deal with it accordingly.

Secondly: Please consume the Sacred Host in front of the Minister (especially in the hand) before returning to your position. As is always the case, one should be prepared for proper reception of the Eucharist by being in a state of grace, if not go to confession, ensure that a fast of an hour from food and drink (water and medication excepted) before receiving Holy Communion and finally prepare spiritually by praying and making time to pray before and after Holy Communion.

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Body & Blood of Christ, the 7th of June:

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi is celebrated today, Sunday, 7th June 2026. Following the 8am and 9:30am Masses, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and silent Adoration.

After the Solemn Mass at 11am, there will be a Eucharistic procession concluding with Solemn Benediction at the main Altar of the Shrine Church. All are invited to come along and participate!

WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be Saturday, 18th July 2026. Mass will be celebrated in the Shrine Church at 8:15am, and work will commence around 9am. 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.

HOLY WATER BOTTLES
Over the past few months, the Shrine has been trialling the provision of bottles for pilgrims to take Holy Water if they have no receptacle of their own. The recommended donation for a bottle is $5, which covers the purchase of the bottle, cap, and label, not counting the Fathers and Brothers’ effort in picking them up and assembling them, which is a labour of love for the Shrine and her people. It has come to our attention that some people think the price is for purchasing Holy Water.
PLEASE NOTE: the cost is only for the bottle, NOT the Holy Water. No blessed items may be sold; otherwise, they lose their blessing, which would be a violation of the Code of Canon Law.

FATIMA DAY
The main Celebrant for June will be the Most Reverend Michael Kennedy DD, Bishop of Newcastle-Maitland.

25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF THE ICON OF THE BLACK MADONNA
This year, here at Penrose Park, we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Icon of the Black Madonna. The Mass took place on 26th August 2001. The crowns, blessed by St John Paul II, were placed on the icon by the Papal Nuncio at the time, the Most Reverend Francesco Canalini and the late Bishop Peter Ingham, Bishop of Wollongong.

The main celebration of the anniversary will take place on Sunday, 23rd August 2026. More specific details of the celebration will be published in the upcoming bulletins and on the Shrine website.

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.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Last week, a Sacred Host was found left on one of the candlesticks at the Altar of St John Paul II. This is a sacrilege that has occurred, and the Pauline community has prayed and offered prayers in reparation for this sacrilege and all blasphemies against the Blessed Sacrament.

This is a twofold announcement:

Firstly: Please be vigilant in the Shrine Church and the grounds. If you come upon a Sacred Host, please take it to the Monastery; there is always someone in residence, and they can take the Host off of you and deal with it accordingly.

Secondly: Please consume the Sacred Host in front of the Minister (especially in the hand) before returning to your position. As is always the case, one should be prepared for proper reception of the Eucharist by being in a state of grace, if not go to confession, ensure that a fast of an hour from food and drink (water and medication excepted) before receiving Holy Communion and finally prepare spiritually by praying and making time to pray before and after Holy Communion.