Author: Fr. Joseph Maria

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.

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the 31st of May:

WORKING BEE
THANK YOU to everyone who came along and helped with this month’s working bee. As always, a lot was achieved, and the shrine continues to look maintained and loved. 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.

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).

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on 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.

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.

PASSION PLAY
This year as well the Shrine was forced to implement a traffic management plan to assist with getting people across the highway and onto the Hanging Rock Road. The was through engaging a Traffic control company though the final approval had to be given by Transport NSW. This came to a final cost of $28,000.00 to the Shrine and will be a regular thing. Fr Richard now has time to find funding and other forms of assistance to make next year smoother, which is more reasonable than the forced 3 week notice he recieved before the Passion Play. The Passion play will go ahead each year but we will need assistance in funding. Also, if you are considering coming, please plan your trip so as you can arrive by about 9am-10am. This will allow plenty of time to park and to walk about the Shrine.

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.

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of Pentecost, the 24th of May:

WORKING BEE
THANK YOU to everyone who came along and helped with this month’s working bee. As always, a lot was achieved, and the shrine continues to look maintained and loved. 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.

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).

SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on 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.

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.

PASSION PLAY
This year as well the Shrine was forced to implement a traffic management plan to assist with getting people across the highway and onto the Hanging Rock Road. The was through engaging a Traffic control company though the final approval had to be given by Transport NSW. This came to a final cost of $28,000.00 to the Shrine and will be a regular thing. Fr Richard now has time to find funding and other forms of assistance to make next year smoother, which is more reasonable than the forced 3 week notice he recieved before the Passion Play. The Passion play will go ahead each year but we will need assistance in funding. Also, if you are considering coming, please plan your trip so as you can arrive by about 9am-10am. This will allow plenty of time to park and to walk about the Shrine.

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.

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, the 17th of May:

FATIMA DAY
A big THANK YOU to the Very Reverend Jaroslaw Zan OSPPE, Provincial Superior of the Australian Pauline Province, as well as Prior & Rector of the Shrine of Marian Valley, Canungra, for accepting the invitation to be the celebrant for Fatima Day in May. It was a wonderful and successful day.

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

WORKING BEE
THANK YOU to everyone who came along and helped with this month’s working bee. As always, a lot was achieved, and the shrine continues to look maintained and loved. The next working bee will be Saturday, 18th July 2026. Mass will be celebrated in the Shrine Church at 8:15am and the work commences 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 providing bottles for pilgrims to be able 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 effort of the fathers and brothers to pick them up and assemble 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 to purchase Holy Water, PLEASE NOTE: the cost is only for the bottle NOT the Holy Water. No blessed items can be sold otherwise they lose their blessing as well as this would be a violation of the Code of Canon Law.

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).

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.

PASSION PLAY
A very heartfelt THANK YOU to all cast and crew who participated in the annual Passion play. Good Friday was a great success drawing over 5000 pilgrims to the Shrine. This will only get bigger and better in the years to come. God bless you all.

This year as well the Shrine was forced to implement a traffic management plan to assist with getting people across the highway and onto the Hanging Rock Road. The was through engaging a Traffic control company though the final approval had to be given by Transport NSW. This came to a final cost of $28,000.00 to the Shrine and will be a regular thing. Fr Richard now has time to find funding and other forms of assistance to make next year smoother, which is more reasonable than the forced 3 week notice he recieved before the Passion Play. The Passion play will go ahead each year but we will need assistance in funding. Also, if you are considering coming, please plan your trip so as you can arrive by about 9am-10am. This will allow plenty of time to park and to walk about the Shrine.

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.

Here are the announcements for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, the 10th of May:

FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for the 13th May will be the Very Reverend Jaroslaw Zan OSPPE, Provincial Superior of the Australian Pauline Province as well as Prior & Rector of the Shrine of Marian Valley, Canungra.

WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be Saturday 16th May 2026. Mass will be celebrated in the Shrine Church at 8:15am and the work commences 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.

HELPERS OF GOD’S PRECIOUS INFANTS PRO-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL
Where: NSW Parliament Time: 8:30am-10:30am Date: Saturday 16th May 2026
“Come to the new Calvary to give witness to the sanctity of life, while praying for the salvation of souls”

HOLY WATER BOTTLES
Over the past few months, the Shrine has been trialing providing bottles for pilgrims to be able to take Holy Water if they have no recepticle of their own. The recommended donation for a bottle is $5, which covers the purchase of the bottle and cap and the label, not counting the effort of the fathers and brothers to pick them up and assemble 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 to purchase Holy Water, PLEASE NOTE: the cost is only for the bottle NOT the Holy Water. No blessed items can be sold otherwise they lose their blessing as well as this would be a violation of the Code of Canon Law.

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).

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.

PASSION PLAY
A very heartfelt THANK YOU to all cast and crew who participated in the annual Passion play. Good Friday was a great success drawing over 5000 pilgrims to the Shrine. This will only get bigger and better in the years to come. God bless you all.

This year as well the Shrine was forced to implement a traffic management plan to assist with getting people across the highway and onto the Hanging Rock Road. The was through engaging a Traffic control company though the final approval had to be given by Transport NSW. This came to a final cost of $28,000.00 to the Shrine and will be a regular thing.

Fr Richard now has time to find funding and other forms of assistance to make next year smoother, which is more reasonable than the forced 3 week notice he recieved before the Passion Play. The Passion play will go ahead each year but we will need assistance in funding. Also, if you are considering coming, please plan your trip so as you can arrive by about 9am-10am. This will allow plenty of time to park and to walk about the Shrine.

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.