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
17 October 2026
Join us this Sunday evening at 5pm (18th October) in the parish centre for our next Apologia session, which helps us discuss and explore all aspects of the Catholic faith. An invited speaker, Monsignor Keith Barltrop, parish priest of St Mary of the Angels in Bayswater and former rector of Allen Hall Seminary, will le
16 October 2026
As you can see, now that the suspended ceiling has been taken down in the Narthex, decorating work has been taking place and new lighting installed. There is still some painting to be done in the coming week before we can move on to the next step of the project, which is replacing the glass in the oriel window and ins
14 October 2026
Thank you to Emma for organising last week’s Women’s Evening, and to Fr Simon, Bill and Richard for kindly helping with the setting up, serving the food and clearing up afterwards. We had a lovely evening, beginning with Adoration and continuing with a wonderful time of fellowship and getting to know new friends within our parish community. Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening so special! 
14 October 2026
Please find here a copy of the Report that was sent to the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV at the end of August concerning the potential unification of our three dioceses.
13 October 2026
Fr Simon will be at Stonefall Cemetery on Sunday 1st November from 1230pm to bless the graves as directed by any families who wish their loved ones' graves to be blessed. It's an opportunity to remember our loved ones and pray for their souls at the beginning of the month of November, dedicated to the Holy Souls. The
6 October 2026
Our altar serving team joined with some members of the 18 to 30 group and a few parents on a visit to Ushaw College in Durham last weekend. It was a tremendous opportunity to deepen friendships and explore more about our Catholic faith. Ushaw was at the centre of priestly training for the Northern Provinces from 1808 u
1 October 2026
7 Sessions of films and discussion
29 September 2026
Here are a few dates of events which are happening in the future - chance for people to put them in their diaries.
28 September 2026
Here, you can download 'The Call of Creation', issued by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and referred to by Bishop Marcus in his recent pastoral letter. For those who have expressed an interest in exploring this area in a parish context, please do read this document and, in the next couple o
27 September 2026
You can access here the Pastoral Letter for the Season of Creation from Bishop Marcus. If anyone would like to explore this further as part of a parish group, please speak with or write to Fr Simon.
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