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
26 January 2026
To support St Robert's Church, Harrogate Building Fund without spending any extra money
21 January 2026
The initiative "Apologia" will return in Lent with an exploration of the Catholic Church's understanding of suffering. The date is Sunday 15th March at 5pm to 6.30pm in the parish centre. The sessions got off to a good start in September with a walk through the elements of the Mass. This was followed by the second se
15 January 2026
The parish welcome Louise (second from the left), the newest member of our community, into the Catholic Church as she received the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion recently. Louise has been a Christian for a long time and felt drawn to the Catholic faith some time ago. Since attending St Robert's church,
15 January 2026
A new series of Sycamore, the video presentations designed to teach and guide discussion about faith, has been published and we began the series with two identical sessions in mid - January - a Wednesday morning and a Sunday evening for those who can't make during the week. This will be the pattern for future sessions.
10 January 2026
The next Seminar will take place on Sunday 8th February at 10am in preparation for the Baptism Mass at 11am on Sunday 15th February 2026 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 th
26 November 2025
Bookings can be made by telephoning Tangney Tours, the telephone number is 01732 886666. Please have your passport details and GHIC card expiry date ready when you call. The deposit is £250, with the remaining balance due in April.
21 November 2025
St Robert's Building Fund was launched at Masses on Low Sunday weekend.
2 November 2025
A new book has been published offering a fresh look at two millennia of faith, power and community in Yorkshire. Written by a St Robert's parishioner, Mick Hopwood, the book shines new light on the story of religion and community in Ryedale, one of Yorkshire's most historic regions. The book is available on Amazon in
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
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.
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