Here are the announcements for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 6th of September:
FATIMA DAY
The main celebrant for September will be Fr James Mckay. Priest of the Ballarat Diocese and brother of Br Luke Mckay.
SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF MERCY
A hugh THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in the Solemnity celebrations for Our Lady of Mercy on Sunday 23rd August and Wednesday 26th August.
Everything was a roaring success and a most fitting way of honouring God and His most Blessed Mother Mary.
There are a few more celebrations organised to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Coronation so please stay tuned to the bulletin and the Shrine Social media for updates.
ANNUAL LEAVE
Br Augustine is on annual leave. We all pray that he has a joyful and relaxing holiday and that he return rejuvenated and ready to tackle the tasks of the Shrine.
PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF DCN SETH HARSH
All parishioners are warmly invited to share in the great joy of the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Seth Harsh, celebrated by Bishop Brian Mascord, on Saturday 12 September 2026 at 10:30am at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Rosemeadow.
Please come and support Seth with your presence and prayers as he takes this beautiful step in his vocation and begins his priestly ministry. RSVP is essential by 1 September 2026 rsvp.dow.org.au (preferred) or phone (02) 4222 2400.
ANNUAL RETREAT
Every year the Pauline Fathers and Brothers gather for their annual retreat. The year the retreat will be held at Marian Valley, Canungra, Queensland from Monday 21st September to Friday 25th September 2026. Please keep all the Fathers and Brothers in your prayers at this time.
Please note: Penrose Park will continue to be open each day during the retreat for pilgrims to come and visit. The 11am Mass will still be celebrated each day at the Shrine with confessions available by appointment only.
VOTIVE CANDLE STANDS
This is a periodic reminder that the votive candle stands are a unique burning system therefore ONLY the candles provided are to be used in them and not other forms of tea lights or candles as this is a fire hazard as well as it damages the glass holders and clogs them with wax. If you wish to make an offering of tea lights or candles please give them to someone in the Monastic community or leave them unlit on one of the side Altars.
JUBILEE YEAR OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
We are in the midst of the Jubilee Year of St Francis, commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of
the beloved Poor Man of Assisi. The Jubilee Year extends from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027.
The Apostolic Penitentiary has decreed that a Plenary Indulgence be granted to all the Faithful, “who, with a heart detached from sin, participate in the Year of Saint Francis by visiting, in the form of a pilgrimage, any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to Saint Francis or connected to him for any reason […] concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare and all the Saints of the Franciscan Family” (Decree, 16 January 2026).
To gain the special Jubilee indulgence within the Diocese of Wollongong, you are encouraged to make a pilgrimage, on any suitable day, to St Francis of Assisi Church, Warrawong or to St Michael’s Church, Thirroul and observe the conditions given above. Special Masses will be celebrated in both parishes for the Feast of St Francis on Sunday 4 October. May St Francis – whose life of holy simplicity renewed the Church and changed the course of history – intercede for us and inspire us to live the Gospel with our whole heart. Please contact the above parishes for further information.