Announcements for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here are the announcements for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 4th of October:

PIETY SHOP
Over the past couple of years there piety shop has been in full swing and providing religious articles and gifts to the pilgrims. We have also been organically observing the use and need of the shop to cater for everyone.

Therefore some renovation work is now being undertaken to make the shop wheelchair and walker friendly and to cater for the times of a larger flow of pilgrims. This work has started and will be done over the course of the next several weeks.

SHRINE SOUND SYSTEM
Due to a recent blackout and power surge the amplifier for the Church sound system has blown up. This will be replaced soon at a total cost of $7500.

If anyone would like to donate towards this, your geneorsity will be appreciated. Donations can be made in person or via transfer: BSB: 062 576 Account Number: 00910786 Account Name: Order of St Paul the Hermit

FATIMA DAY
The main celebrant for October will be the Most Reverend Columba MacBeth Green OSPPE DD, Bishop of Wolcannia-Forbes.

APPOINTMENT TO PENROSE PARK
As of the 5th October 2026, Fr Peter James Strohmayer OSPPE, has been appointed to the Pauline community of Penrose Park.

Fr Peter has spent the last few years as Parish Priest of St Gertrude’s, Smithfield and has worked in the Parish of St Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands, prior to that.

We welcome Fr Peter into the community and we pray that he will have a productive ministry here at the Shrine.

ANNUAL LEAVE
As of Monday 5th October, Fr Isidore is heading his pilgrimage group to various sites in Europe and will then be on annual leave. Let us all pray for Fr Isidore that he will have a blessed time away and come back safe and sound, rejuvenated from a well earned rest.

MASS INTENTIONS
Every Mass is offered for an intention and here at the Shrine, the pilgrims send in many intentions either by filling in the envelopes on site and handing them in, via email or via the portal found on the Shrine website. Please note:

If you have a specific date you would like a Mass to be celebrated please try and send it in at least 2 weeks before the date, exceptions are made in regards to last minute health, operations and death.
The Mass stipend is a donation (please bear in mind that the donation should be enough to buy the Priest a decent meal) and can be made by cash, tap and go or electronic transfer, please specify which form you use.
A Triduum of Masses (3) or a Novena of Mases (9) can be sent in. Please specify the intervals of how the Masses are to be said (once weekly, monthly etc) otherwise it will be left to the discretion of the Prior to assign the Masses.
Gregorian Masses (Masses for 30 consecutive days for a deceased person), are to be discussed with the Prior before any arrangements are made.

NOVEMBER MASSSES
From 1st-30th November, the 11am Masses will be celebrated for all the fithful departed. For anyone wishing to add names of their loved ones please fill out the dedicated form and send it in with your donation. Forms can be found in the Shrine Church or on the Shrine website.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS
Columban calendars are available on the side table of the Church for purchase. They are $10 each.

PARISH FUNDRAISING RAFFLE
The Parish of St Gertrude’s, Smithfield, which is also under the custodianship of the Pauline Fathers is have a raffle to raise funds for much needed work as they also celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

A stall will be set up on Fatima day, October 13th at the Shrine to sell raffle tickets. Please support one of our Parishes and the ongoing care that is needed. Your genorosity if very much appreciated.