The St Fiacre’s Parish’s Saint Pio di Pietrelcina Prayer Group “Padre Pio Gruppo di Preghiera” was established in the late 1960’s by a group of Italian migrants who were devoted to Padre Pio. The founding spiritual leader of the Prayer group was Fr. Atanasio Gonelli OFMCap. and the founding coordinators of the Prayer Group were Mr. Salvatore Palazzolo and Mrs. Bernardina Torresan. Over the years, the Prayer Group has acquired a large number of members from a wide range of multicultural communities.
In 1983, a shrine was erected within the courtyard of St Fiacre’s with funds donated by the community. The shrine is open to the public and is visited daily by a large number of Australian pilgrims and St Pio devotees. The current spiritual leader of the Prayer Group is Fr. John Cooper OFMCap.
The Saint Padre Pio Prayer Group meets at St Fiacre’s Parish every first Wednesday of the month, from 10 am to 11 am, with Mass also being celebrated on the same day at 7 pm. For more information, please contact Felice Montrone at cimaustralia@tpg.com.au.