Blog

Here are the announcements for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the 26th of April:

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.

FATIMA DAY
Thank you to Fr Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province for being the celebrant of the Mass and Thank you to Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney for preaching the Homily and for leading the Procession and devotions at the grotto.

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.

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.

Here are the announcements for the Third Sunday of Easter, the 19th of April:

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY

Thank you to all Pilgrims who sent in their intentions for the Novena to Divine Mercy and all those who participated in the celebration of Divine Mercy at Penrose Park

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 can 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 but, it 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 but also please, 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.

FATIMA DAY
Thank you to Fr Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province for being the celebrant of the Mass and Thank you to Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney for preaching the Homily and for leading the Procession and devotions at the grotto.

The Celebrant for the 13th May will be the Very Reverend Jaroslaw Zan OSPPE, Priorvincial 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.

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.

Here are the announcements for Divine Mercy Sunday, the 12th of April:

FR RICHARD AND THE COMMUNITY OF PENROSE PARK WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR PILGRIMS, VOLUNTEERS AND BENEFACTORS
A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER!!!
MAY THE RISEN LORD SHOWER YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF BLESSINGS!

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY

Thank you to all Pilgrims who sent in their intentions for the Novena to Divine Mercy.

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 but, it is more reasonable than the forced 3 week notice he received before the Passion Play. The Passion play will go ahead each year but we will need assistance in funding. Also, please, 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.

EASTER TRIDUUM
The Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil) was a great success. THANK YOU to all who participated and helped make this a very spiritually uplifting experience. It was a great example of the splendour of the liturgy in our Catholic faith.
A huge THANK YOU also to all the volunteers who came to help with the parking on Good Friday. May the Risen Lord bless you all for your efforts.

FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for April will be the Very Rev Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province and the Homilist will be Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be Advised in a few weeks. 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).

Here are the announcements for Easter Sunday, the 5th of April:

FR RICHARD AND THE COMMUNITY OF PENROSE PARK WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR PILGRIMS, VOLUNTEERS AND BENEFACTORS
A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER!!!
MAY THE RISEN LORD SHOWER YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF BLESSINGS!

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY

The novena to Divine Mercy, will be celebrated from Good Friday 3rd – Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April 2026. Forms can be found at the side table in the Shrine Church.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (27th April)
Sunday Mass schedule as per normal, Solemn Mass at 11am. There will be a Holy Hour from 2pm-3pm in the Shrine Church, Schedule is:

• 2pm – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Spiritual talk
• 2:20pm – Silent Adoration
• 2:40pm – Chaplet, Litany and Prayer of Divine Mercy
• 3pm – Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament & Conclusion

After the conclusion there will be the blessing of religious articles and devotional items purchased from the religious shop or brought along for the occasion.

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 several thousand pilgrims to the Shrine. This will only get bigger and better in the years to come. God bless you all.

EASTER TRIDUUM
The Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil) was a great success. THANK YOU to all who participated and helped make this a very spiritually uplifting experience. It was a great example of the splendour of the liturgy in our Catholic faith.
A huge THANK YOU also to all the volunteers who came to help with the parking on Good Friday. May the Risen Lord bless you all for your efforts.

FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for April will be the Very Rev Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province and the Homilist will be Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be Advised in a few weeks. 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).

Here are the announcements for Palm Sunday, the 29th of March:

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).

PASSION PLAY
The annual reenactment of the Lord’s Passion (Passion Play) will take place in the Shrine, commencing at 11am on Good Friday 3rd April 2026. Please note, this is free and open to all, no bookings need to be made. Food & drink will also be available for purchase. Good Friday is also a day of Fasting and abstinence. Pilgrims are allowed to picnic on site, but we ask that NO meat is consumed or BBQed on the day. There are still some roles that need to be filled, for more information and to receive updates regarding rehearsals etc please go to: https://goodfridaypassionplay.blogspot.com/ and sign up to receive notifications.

VOLUNTEERS FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Thank you in advance to all who have volunteered to help out in some capacity on Good Friday. Fr Richard will meet with everyone at 7:30am. Please come to the garage side of the Monastery, please wear sturdy work gear or casual clothing. Vests and volunteer insignia will be given out at the meeting. Please come one time as we need to be out and about by 8am. For anyone else who would like to volunteer, there is plenty to do and you will be most welcome.

FIRST SATURDAY
The First Saturday of April (4th) is also Holy Saturday. Traditionally the Church does not celebrate Mass on that day as we await outside the tomb for Christ to Rise. The regular First Saturday schedule will NOT take place this day but the Church will be open for Adoration at the Altar of Repose. Confessions will be available by request or appointment.

FATIMA DAY
The Celebrant for April will be the Very Rev Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province and the Homilist will be Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

WORKING BEE
The next working bee will be Advised in a few weeks. 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.

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY

The novena to Divine Mercy, will be celebrated from Good Friday 3rd – Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April 2026. Forms can be found at the side table in the Shrine Church.

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.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

PALM SUNDAY (29th March)
8am – Mass commencing from the front door of the Monastery
9:30am – CANCELLED
11am – Solemn Mass with Procession commencing from the Statue of St John Paul
please bring along palm fronds or olive branches.

11am – Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday & Holy Wednesday (30th, 31st March & 1st April)

HOLY THURSDAY (2nd April)
No Mass at 11am
6pm – Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(with washing of the feet and procession to the Altar of Repose)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – until midnight

GOOD FRIDAY (3rd April)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am until 10pm
11am – Passion Play (commencing at the front of the property)
3pm – Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion (In the Shrine Church)
5pm – Novena to Divine Mercy 7pm – Vespers (Prayer of the Church)

HOLY SATURDAY (4th April)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am to Midday
8:30am – Lauds (Prayer of the Church) 11:30am – Novena to the Divine Mercy
7pm – Solemn Mass of the Easter Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY (5th April)
8am, 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday
Divine Mercy Novena – immediately following each of the Masses

EASTER OCTAVE (6th-11th April)
11am – Mass followed by the Novena to the Divine Mercy.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (12th April)
8am & 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday
2pm – Divine Mercy Holy Hour (Confession available)

Here are the announcements for the 5th Sunday of Lent, the 22nd of March:

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
During the season of Lent, on Friday and Saturday, the usual devotions after Mass will be replaced with the praying of the Stations of the Cross. Confessions will be available during the Stations.

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).

FIRST SATURDAY
The First Saturday of April (4th) is also Holy Saturday. Traditionally the Church does not celebrate Mass on that day as we await outside the tomb for Christ to Rise. The regular First Saturday schedule will NOT take place this day but the Church will be open for Adoration at the Altar of Repose. Confessions will be available by request or appointment.

ANNUAL LEAVE
Welcome back to Br Matthew who has returned from annual leave.

FATIMA DAY – 13th March 2026
A Big THANK YOU to His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok for accepting our invitation to be the Celebrant for Fatima day. It was a wonderful day and his words were most inspiring.

The Celebrant for April will be the Very Rev Richard Green OSPPE, Prior & Rector of Penrose Park and Vicar Provincial of the Australian Pauline Province and the Homilist will be Fr Mateusz Markiewicz, Canon Lawyer of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

WORKING BEE
Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the March working bee. The next working bee will be Advised in a few weeks. 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.

NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH

Thank you to everyone who sent in intentions and donations for the Novena. St Joseph, pray for us!

NOVENA TO THE DIVINE MERCY

The novena to Divine Mercy, will be celebrated from Good Friday 3rd – Divine Mercy Sunday 12th April 2026. Forms can be found at the side table in the Shrine Church.

PASSION PLAY
The annual reenactment of the Lord’s Passion (Passion Play) will take place in the Shrine, commencing at 11am on Good Friday 3rd April 2026. Please note, this is free and open to all, no bookings need to be made. Food & drink will also be available for purchase. Good Friday is also a day of Fasting and abstinence, Pilgrims are allowed to picnic on site but we ask that NO meat is consumed or BBQed on the day. There are still some roles that need to be filled, for more information and to receive updates regarding rehearsals etc please go to: https://goodfridaypassionplay.blogspot.com/ and sign up to receive notifications.

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.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

PALM SUNDAY (29th March)
8am – Mass commencing from the front door of the Monastery
9:30am – CANCELLED
11am – Solemn Mass with Procession commencing from the Statue of St John Paul
please bring along palm fronds or olive branches.

11am – Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday & Holy Wednesday (30th, 31st March & 1st April)

HOLY THURSDAY (2nd April)
No Mass at 11am
6pm – Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(with washing of the feet and procession to the Altar of Repose)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – until midnight

GOOD FRIDAY (3rd April)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am until 10pm
11am – Passion Play (commencing at the front of the property)
3pm – Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion (In the Shrine Church)
5pm – Novena to Divine Mercy 7pm – Vespers (Prayer of the Church)

HOLY SATURDAY (4th April)
Adoration at the Altar of Repose – 8am to Midday
8:30am – Lauds (Prayer of the Church) 11:30am – Novena to the Divine Mercy
7pm – Solemn Mass of the Easter Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY (5th April)
8am, 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday
Divine Mercy Novena – immediately following each of the Masses

EASTER OCTAVE (6th-11th April)
11am – Mass followed by the Novena to the Divine Mercy.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (12th April)
8am & 9:30am
11am – Solemn Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday
2pm – Divine Mercy Holy Hour (Confession available)