The Joy of Love

New reflection document on marriage and family life

Six years ago, during the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis published a document after a two-year synod process in which bishops from around the world examined ‘The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World’.The Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia “On Love in the Family” was the fruit of this synod process.In the year leading up to the Tenth World Meeting of Families, June 2022, the Bishops’ Conference Committee for Marriage and Family Life, part of the Department for Social Justice, reflected on Amoris Laetitia and how family life plays a central role in the life of the Church.

"Amoris Laetitia should be read in a contemplative way. It’s a text you receive in your heart – an opportunity to contemplate the mystery of love within marriage and family life and to grow a sense of discipleship. Marriage and family life is a very important vocation in the Church". Bishop David Oakley

These themes, running like a thread through the Apostolic Exhortation, are: Joy, Love, Mercy, Realities and Discernment, and Mission.  The aim of this new resource is not to provide an exhaustive analysis of Amoris Laetitia but to reflect on these themes in an engaging and constructive way. You can access the Bishops' document by clicking on the button below.


Source:CBCEW


The Joy of Love - 2022
23 August 2025
To prepare for the forthcoming Apologia series, a number of parishioners were interviewed by Fr Simon about their faith. These interviews are presented in a series of videos which can be accessed here. Thank you to all who contributed for their willingness to share what their faith means to them.
23 August 2025
We invite all parishioners new to the parish in the past couple of years to join us for a welcome event hosted by members of the Parish Pastoral Council from 7pm on Monday 15th September in the parish centre. It will be an opportunity to meet representatives from the various areas of parish life and to ask any
21 August 2025
An International Mass and Luncheon, celebrating our diverse cultural parish community, will take place at 11am on on Sunday, 5th October. Parishioners are invited to volunteer to represent their country of origin. We invite anyone who would like to offer a tasting of an authentic meal from their country to bring a dish
18 August 2025
After a successful RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) course which started last September, eight people were received into the Church at Easter this year. We are planning a new RCIA course, the initial meeting for which will be on Tuesday 2nd September at 7pm in the Presbytery. Please speak to Fr Simon af
14 August 2025
Thank you to Marie and her team and all the young people who took part in the Children's Holiday Bible Camp this year. The focus on the Mass produced a great deal of fruit. The children learned about the virtues of patience, faith, generosity. They experienced Adoration and contributed to the final Mass of the week
17 June 2025
A retreat for up to twenty six St Robert's parishioners has been organised to take place at Ampleforth Abbey from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September 2025. All accommodation and meals will be included and the retreat will be led by Fr Luke Beckett OSB. Details of cost, timings etc. along with how to book are all included in this weekend's bulletin.
16 June 2025
St Robert's Building Fund was launched at Masses on Low Sunday weekend. An update given at all Masses on the weekend of 28/29 June delivered the tremendous news that the building fund appeal is growing, with funds received to date totalling £44,567, of which 90% of this total has been gift-aided, thereby adding approx
6 April 2025
The next Seminar will take place on Sunday 12th October at 10am in preparation for the Baptism Mass at 11am on Sunday 19th October when children will be baptised into the Church and our parish family. Please pray for our children to be baptised, their parents and godparents as they all prepare, together, for this mom
23 December 2024
Please find on the link below a letter from Fr Simon and Miss Collins, headteacher of St Robert's School, outlining information for parents who are considering signing their children up for First Sacraments in St Robert's parish. Details of dates for the First Communion course and dates for holy communions will be announced in due course. This year, families will be given a choice of dates and Masses during the month of June at which their child can make their first holy communion and then there will be a joint celebration organised in July to bring the group together. You will find elsewhere on the website and on the parish bulletin details of the Reconciliation programme. The deadline for application for Confirmation has now passed but candidates will be able to apply for the 2026 Confirmation course in due time.
11 December 2024
Click on the link below to see a longer version of the introductory video showing a Birds Eye view of the church. With thanks to Rob Fakes of Skycam in York for his work on this project.
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