We would like to remind everyone that there is an 11 am Mass every day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy – Penrose Park. Most days, it is followed by devotions.
The only exception is Good Friday, but there is a Live Re-enactment of Our Lord’s Passion at 11 am instead!
There is also an 8 am Mass on Sunday (and the 9:30 am Mass in Polish also).
On Sunday after the 8 am Mass Fr. Joseph Maria Blessed and Opened the New Religious Gift Shop that has been built near the Church.
Fr. Richard and Fr. Joseph Maria would like to invite everyone to come to the Re-enactment of Our Lord’s Passion this Good Friday, 11 am on the 7th of April, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy. There are no restrictions this year, and everyone is welcome to come.
Please join us on Sunday the 26th of March at 11 am for the solemn installation of Fr. Richard Green OSPPE as Rector of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy – Penrose Park by Bishop Brian Mascord DD Bishop of Wollongong.
Today, 13th of March at the Shrine we celebrated its monthly Fatima Day, with Fr. Joseph Maria Buckley being the main celebrant at the 11 am Mass. The weather being rather wet the procession at 1:30 pm went up the hill to the Old Monastery instead of the Grotto. But it was a blessed day giving glory to Christ through Mary.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next 13th.
In the below video Fr. Joseph Maria talks about the new program for the First Saturday Devotions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park that will start on the 1st of April 2023.
This Saturday we will begin our Novena in honour of St. Joseph in preparation for his Solemnity which this year is on the 20th of March. If you have not yet mailed in your intention for this Novena it is not too late you can now do so online. Just go over to our St. Joseph Novena Page.
For Fatima Day this month at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy Penrose Park, the main celebrant will be Father Joseph Maria Buckley OSPPE, the newly appointed Sub-prior of the Monastery and Vice-Rector of the Shrine.
The schedule is as follows:
These are the bulletin announcements for the 2nd Sunday of Lent
Lenten Penance and the Paschal Precept
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent:
•All who are 14 years or older are obliged to abstain from meat
•All who are 18 to 59 are obliged to fast (Canon 1252) Fasting means a person is permitted to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may also be taken, but they are not to equal that of a full meal.
•Anyone who is sick or infirm is not obliged by these laws
Paschal Precept: The faithful are obliged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion at least once a year. This is done between Ash Wednesday (22 February 2023) and Trinity Sunday (4 June 2023)
Stations of the Cross During Lent:
Stations will follow the Mass every Friday and Saturday during Lent
Volunteers:
Fr Richard and the Community would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers that help keep the shrine going. As we know age and circumstances eventually take their toll either through retirement, moving, or death, therefore, we are appealing to our pilgrims if you would like to volunteer, either a Sunday or Fatima day, your help would be greatly appreciated. For more details or specifics, please speak to Fr Richard.
New Shop:
In the next couple of weeks, the new shop will be up and running. There will be a trial period and feedback sheets will be available. Please give us constructive feedback.
Update on Fr Gabriel:
Fr Gabriel has had another seizure this week but is back from hospital. Br Luke visited last Tuesday and Fr Richard on Saturday, both reported Fr Gabriel is becoming drowsy and weaker, due to treatment and medications, but still has full faculties.
Father would like to thank everyone for their ongoing prayers and support and assures you all of his prayers.
If you would like to write or visit Fr Gabriel you can send to the following:
Holy Family Retirement Village
116-132 Quakers Road
Marayong NSW 2148
If you would like to phone him 02 96788200 (this is to the front desk)
If you would like to visit him, please call ahead if you wish to visit.
The Passion Play will happen this year on Good Friday 7th of April 2023. More details will follow soon, but for now, we wish to let everyone know that there will be no limits on the number of people attending. Everyone will be welcome. There will be no tickets required to enter.
Please do invite all your friends and family to come. We pray that after the last few difficult years, this will again be the event that it has become known to be, a special moment to reflect deeply on what Christ did to save us from our sins.
