Blog

Here are the announcements for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the 19th of January:

YEAR OF JUBILEE 2025
A very big Thank you to Bishop Brian for coming last Sunday, 12th January to celebrate the 11am Mass and to inaugurate the Jubilee year here at Penrose Park. It was truly a beautiful and memorable celebration.

Bishop Brian Mascord, Bishop of Wollongong has appointed 6 Churches as offical pilgrimage sites during this year of Jubilee and of course Penrose Park is one of those six. Therefore during this year, anyone coming on pilgrimage to the Shrine can gain themselves a Plenary indulgence (full remission of sin and the punishments incurred) by fulfilling the usual requirements, which are: Visiting the Shrine, Confession, Mass with Holy Communion and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. This is a great honour for the Shrine and we welcome all our pilgrims to come along and celebrate the Jubilee year. Events will be planned through out the year so please stay tuned to our website and social media for more information.

NOVENA TO ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT (PATRIARCH OF THE PAULINE ORDER)
Thank you to everyone for sending in their intentions for the novena to St Paul the First Hermit.

FATIMA DAY – 13th JANUARY 2025
Unfortunately due to some health issues, Fr Peter Joseph, Parish Priest of St Mel’s, Campsie was unable to attend Fatima day as the main celebrant and homilist. A big Thank you to Fr Richard, for stepping in and celebrating Fatima Day.

ANNUAL LEAVE
From 18th January 2025, Fr Richard, Prior & Rector of the Shrine will be on annual leave. During his abcence, Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior & Vice Rector will be in charge. We pray that Fr Richard will have a pleasant and safe holiday and come back refreshed.

FATIMA DAY – 13th FEBRUARY 2025
The main celebrant for Fatima day will be Fr Joseph Maria Buckley, Subprior & Vice Rector of Penrose Park.

WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along to help with the monthly working bee. All your help is greatly appreciated. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th February 2025. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (1st & 3rd Sunday’s of the month)
From December 2024, there will be an opportunity for Pilgrims to have some quiet time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will be on the First and Third weeks of the month from 12:15pm – 1:15pm. As always it is important to have custodians to keep vigil of the Blessed Sacrament, so if there are any volunteers looking to commit please let Fr Richard know.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
The next morning tea after Mass will be on Sunday 16th February 2025. All Welcome!

NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH
The novena to St Joseph, will be celebrated from 10th – 18th March 2025. For anyone wishing to include their intentions in the novena, forms are available on the side table of the Shrine Church as well as they can be found online via the Shrine website. St Joseph, pray for us!

Here are the announcements for the Baptism of the Lord, the 12th of January:

YEAR OF JUBILEE 2025
Bishop Brian Mascord, Bishop of Wollongong has appointed 5 Churches as official pilgrimage sites during this year of Jubilee and of course Penrose Park is one of those five. Therefore during this year, anyone coming on pilgrimage to the Shrine can gain themselves a Plenary indulgence (full remission of sin and the punishments incurred) by fulfilling the usual requirements, which are: Visiting the Shrine, Confession, Mass with Holy Communion and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. This is a great honour for the Shrine, and we welcome all our pilgrims to come and celebrate the Jubilee year. Events will be planned throughout the year, so please stay tuned to our website and social media for more information.

A big Thank you to Bishop Brian for coming today to celebrate the 11 am Mass and to inaugurate the Jubilee year here at Penrose Park.

BLESSED EPIPHANY CHALK AND WATER
The tradition of blessing the chalk and Holy water to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is a beautiful tradition of the Catholic Church. The chalk and water were blessed on the Vigil of the Epiphany and is now available for the pilgrims to take home and to bless their houses with. Please note: 1 pack per family.

THANK YOU
Fr Richard and the community would like to thank everyone for their Christmas wishes, cards, gifts and invitations. This is all very much appreciated. Please be assured you are all in our prayers.

NOVENA TO ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT (PATRIARCH OF THE PAULINE ORDER)
This will take place from Monday 6th January to Tuesday 14th January at the 11am Masses (inclusive of Sunday). For those wishing to include intentions for the novena (these will be place upon the High Altar), slips can be found at the side table of the Church. Intentions can be left in one of the offering boxes in the Church, handed back to one of the Fathers or Brothers or put into the collection basket.

FATIMA DAY – 13th JANUARY 2025
The main celebrant for Fatima day will be Fr Peter Joseph, Parish Priest of St Mel’s Campsie.

SOLEMNITY OF ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT
The Solemnity of the Patriarch of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Wednesday 15th January at the 11am Mass. During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Religious Profession. At the end of Mass there will be a special blessing of the fruits of the Palm along with a special blessing for children. Please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Pauline Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, QUEEN OF HERMITS
The Solemnity of the Patroness of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Thursday 16th January at the 11am Mass During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Covenant to the Blessed Virgin. Again please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

ANNUAL LEAVE
From 18th January 2025, Fr Richard, Prior & Rector of the Shrine will be on annual leave. During his abcence, Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior & Vice Rector will be in charge. We pray that Fr Richard will have a pleasant and safe holiday and come back refreshed.

WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along to help with the monthly working bee. All your help is greatly appreciated. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th February 2025. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (1st & 3rd Sunday’s of the month)
From December 2024, there will be an opportunity for Pilgrims to have some quiet time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will be on the First and Third weeks of the month from 12:15pm – 1:15pm. As always it is important to have custodians to keep vigil of the Blessed Sacrament, so if there are any volunteers looking to commit please let Fr Richard know.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
The next morning tea after Mass will be on Sunday 16th February 2025. All Welcome!

Here are the announcements for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on the 5th of January.

BLESSED EPIPHANY CHALK AND WATER
The tradition of blessing the chalk and Holy water to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is a beautiful tradition of the Catholic Church. The chalk and water were blessed on the Vigil of the Epiphany and is now available for the pilgrims to take home and to bless their houses with. Please note: 1 pack per family.

THANK YOU
Fr Richard and the community would like to thank everyone for their Christmas wishes, cards, gifts and invitations. This is all very much appreciated. Please be assured you are all in our prayers.

CHRISTMAS NOVENA
Thank you to everyone for participating and sending in intentions for the Christmas Novena.

NOVENA TO ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT (PATRIARCH OF THE PAULINE ORDER)
This will take place from Monday 6th January to Tuesday 14th January at the 11am Masses (inclusive of Sunday). For those wishing to include intentions for the novena (these will be place upon the High Altar), slips can be found at the side table of the Church. Intentions can be left in one of the offering boxes in the Church, handed back to one of the Fathers or Brothers or put into the collection basket.

FATIMA DAY – 13th JANUARY 2025
The main celebrant for Fatima day will be Fr Peter Joseph, Parish Priest of St Mel’s Campsie.

SOLEMNITY OF ST PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT
The Solemnity of the Patriarch of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Wednesday 15th January at the 11am Mass. During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Religious Profession. At the end of Mass there will be a special blessing of the fruits of the Palm along with a special blessing for children. Please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Pauline Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, QUEEN OF HERMITS
The Solemnity of the Patroness of the Pauline Order will be celebrated with a Solemn Mass on Thursday 16th January at the 11am Mass During the Mass the Fathers and Brothers will be renewing their Covenant to the Blessed Virgin. Again please come along and celebrate this great day with us otherwise please keep the Fathers and Brothers in your prayers.

ANNUAL LEAVE
From 18th January 2025, Fr Richard, Prior & Rector of the Shrine will be on annual leave. During his abcence, Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior & Vice Rector will be in charge. We pray that Fr Richard will have a pleasant and safe holiday and come back refreshed.

WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along to help with the monthly working bee. All your help is greatly appreciated. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th February 2025. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (1st & 3rd Sunday’s of the month)
From December 2024, there will be an opportunity for Pilgrims to have some quiet time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will be on the First and Third weeks of the month from 12:15pm – 1:15pm. As always it is important to have custodians to keep vigil of the Blessed Sacrament, so if there are any volunteers looking to commit please let Fr Richard know.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
The next morning tea after Mass will be on Sunday 16th February 2025. All Welcome!

Fr Richard and the community of Penrose Park
would like to wish all Pilgrims a very
Happy and Blessed New Year of 2025

Here are the announcements for the Feast day of the Holy Family, the 29th of December:

BLESSING OF EPIPHANY CHALK AND WATER
The tradition of blessing the chalk and Holy water to celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is usually done on the Vigil of the Solemnity. The ceremony will take place in the Shrine Church on Saturday 4th January 2025 at 5pm. Pilgrims are welcome to come along and they are welcome to bring in their own supplies of chalk and water to be blessed. Please note: This is a ceremony only and there will be NO Mass following. Masses for the Epiphany will be celebrated on Sunday at the usual times.

FATIMA DAY – 13th JANUARY 2025
The main celebrant for Fatima day will be Fr Peter Joseph, Parish Priest of St Mel’s Campsie.

CHRISTMAS NOVENA
Thank you to everyone for participating and sending in intentions for the Christmas Novena.

WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came along to help with the monthly working bee. All your help is greatly appreciated. The next working bee will be on Saturday 15th February 2025. Please consider coming along and helping in keeping the Shrine beautiful for our local area and the pilgrims that visit. This Shrine is a treasure to the Order, Diocese and country, any help and forms of talent are always most welcome. For more information or specifics, please speak to Fr Joseph Maria, Subprior.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (1st & 3rd Sunday’s of the month)
From December 2024, there will be an opportunity for Pilgrims to have some quiet time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will be on the First and Third weeks of the month from 12:15pm – 1:15pm. As always it is important to have custodians to keep vigil of the Blessed Sacrament, so if there are any volunteers looking to commit please let Fr Richard know.

MORNING TEA AFTER 8AM MASS
The next morning tea after Mass will be on Sunday 16th February 2025. All Welcome!

NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE for 2024/25

Tuesday 31st December (New Years Eve)
11pm – Exposition and Holy Hour in Thanksgiving for 2024
Confession is available during the Holy Hour

Wednesday 1st January 2025
12am – Midnight Mass for the New Year
11am – Mass in the Shrine Church

The usual Penrose Park Schedule continues from the Thursday 2nd January

Fr Richard, Fr Joseph Maria,
Br Matthew, Br Luke & Br Augustine
Would like to wish all Pilgrims to the Shrine a very

HAPPY and BLESSED CHRISTMAS
&
HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2025

May the Child Jesus through the intercession of Mary and St Joseph continue to bless you and your famil