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
29 June 2026
Sunday afternoon saw the latest session of 'Apologia', in which Sr Patsy McDonald led us expertly through elements of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum). A large crowd of parishioners gathered to consider the nature of the 'Word of God', how the Church interprets Scripture well, the place of S
29 June 2026
Please join us for a Mass of Thanksgiving marking the forthcoming retirement of our school's headteacher, Miss Jill Collins. It will be an opportunity to mark her tremendous contribution to the School and to Catholic Education over a period of many years, and to wish Miss Collins well in her retirement. Refreshments
28 June 2026
Thank you to Bill Clisham for organising last week's mens' evening and to Katherine and Micheline who kindly provided wonderful food. It was an evening of tremendous fellowship and good will, with many meeting new friends in the parish. Please look out for the next meeting in the autumn.
21 June 2026
Please pray for the success of the forthcoming camp, designed to help children understand the purpose of prayer, and how to put prayer into action through the ups and downs of daily life. Unfortunately, all the places have now been filled but we hope to run the same next year so look out for places early in 2027! Tha
14 June 2026
St Robert's Building Fund
by Erica Evans 11 June 2026
Recent days have seen the opening of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of Pedro Ballester, a young Manchester man whose life of faith and witness continues to inspire many. Pedro died on 13 January 2018 at the age of 21. Born in Manchester in 1996, he grew up in a Catholic family and was widely known for
The parish 18 to 30 group enjoyed an outing to Ryedale last Sunday. After having lunch together they
8 June 2026
The parish 18 to 30 group enjoyed an outing to Ryedale last Sunday. After having lunch together they visited St Mary's Church at Lastingham - built on the site of St Cedd's 7th century priory, where prayers were said in the crypt for our parish community.
26 May 2026
We warmly invite you to explore Magnifica Humanitas, the Holy Father’s newly released encyclical reflecting on the dignity, beauty, and sacred calling of the human person in today’s world. At a time marked by division, uncertainty, and rapid change, this inspiring document calls us back to the heart of the Gospel: that
14 April 2026
The parish photo directory for 2026 has just been published and copies are available in the Narthex with a suggested £3 donation towards printing costs (payable on the Dona machine or in the collection bags at Mass). Thank you to all those who took part - getting to know each other helps us to build up the community o
1 April 2026
A number of members of the newly formed St Robert's 16-30 group are pictured on a day's excursion to Malham Cove. If you would like to join the group for meetings, socials or outings, drop a line to the parish office.
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