Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Community Herne Bay, Kent
Clarence Road, Herne Bay, Kent - 01227 375095 - Parish Priest: Fr Mark White CP (mwhite8684@aol.com); Assistant Priest: Fr Patrick CP (743727); Deacons James Foley (366841) & Barry Walker (368685) - website: www.ourladyhernebay.co.uk
tWelFth sunday in ordinary tiMe (Year B) 20/21 JUNE 2015 - FATHERS’ DAY Entrance Antiphon The Lord is the strength of his people, a saving refuge for the one he has anointed. Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage, and govern them for ever. Fr Mark Reflects on his Retreat in Rome It was wonderful being with 1000 other priests, from 95 countries, in the beautiful church of St John Lateran in Rome last week. The emphasis was very much on the role of the Holy Spirit, as befits a charismatic retreat. We heard from various highly-placed cardinals, including Cardinal Turkson, the Ghanaian head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. We also had the pleasure of listening to two talks by Capuchin Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, the papal preacher, who leads retreats for the Pope and officials in the Vatican. The highlight was Friday afternoon’s address by Pope Francis (who arrived in a Ford Focus!!): he spoke for an hour on the mercy of God; answered questions put to him by priests from each of the 5 continents; and then celebrated Mass. He was with us for nearly 4 hours. New Papal Encyclical Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’ (Praised Be), was published on Thursday (18 June). The title is from St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures. One of the document’s consultors said this: “I think the Pope wants us to become aware [that care for creation and the option for the poor go hand in hand]. He is aiming at a change of heart. What will save us is not technology or science. What will save us is the ethical transformation of our society.” Copies will be available from the respository.