World Meeting of Families: The importance of vocational pastoral work


There is great expectation for the opening of the World Meeting of Families, beginning on Wednesday 23 June and ending on Saturday, 25 June. ‘Family love: vocation and the way to holiness’ is the theme of this edition, which kicks off with the Festival of Families. Around two thousand delegates from 120 countries have been invited, chosen by the local Bishops’ Conferences, Synods of the Oriental Churches, and international ecclesial realities.This meeting is being held at a difficult time for humanity, harshly tried by the pandemic and war. Gabriella Gambino, Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life spoke to Vatican News’ Debora Donnini about these difficulties, as well as her hopes for the event.Hopes“After a whole year dedicated to family pastoral care with all the great work that has been done, I believe it is really time to ‘make Church’ together with families and pastors,” says Gabriella Gambino.She describes the hope as being one of hearing words of encouragement from the Holy Father,

“so that when this Year of the Family is over, we will be able to continue on a journey together.”Work of families in evangelisationMs. Gambino goes on to describe the importance of involving children in the pastoral work of evangelisation, explaining that “the whole family is called to Christian proclamation”.“I believe that, today, one of the greatest challenges for us parents is precisely that of transmitting to our children the awareness, and also the courage to proclaim Christ present in our families.”She adds that it is also important to teach our children to do so, no matter the complexity of the times in which we are living.Themes and their linksFormation, accompaniment, and transmission of the faith to the new generations are some of the themes of the event.The “fundamental” one is the proclamation of the vocation of each family, of each person within the family, says Ms. Gambino. She explains that “the family is a path to holiness and sanctification that each of us has at our disposal.“The family is a gift that the Lord gives us.”She says it is important to train people who know how to meet the reality of today’s families. Families need to be accompanied, especially young engaged couples and spouses, in the reality they live, so that from there they can discover their vocation and encounter Christ, she says.“

It is also important that we learn to transmit the faith to young people starting from the reality in which they are inserted, therefore also having the courage to address issues that are very difficult for us today, on which we are sometimes poorly prepared,” she adds.Document: catechumenal itineraries for married lifeThe final point discussed by Ms. Gambino is a recently published document entitled “Catechumenal Itineraries for Married Life”, published as part of the Pastoral Guidelines for Particular Churches, prepared by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, and with a preface by Pope Francis.Ms. Gambino explains that this text was explicitly desired by the Holy Father, precisely because we live in an era in which marriage needs to be announced with greater strength, with greater clarity, but above all, it needs to be announced ‘in time’.For this reason, she explains, “I believe that one of the most interesting aspects of this document is the fact that it proposes a very ‘remote’ preparation for married life.”This involves talking to children about the Sacrament of Marriage in Christian initiation courses to help them understand that marriage is a vocation and a calling from God.Finally, the Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life talks about the importance of accompaniment even after the celebration of the Marriage Rite, that is, of a strong pastoral care of the bond, “because couples, especially in the first years of marriage, need to be accompanied.”Nobody must be left alone in these moments, but rather they must “feel part of a Church community, which helps them get through moments of crisis, because a crisis is a normal phase in the life of two people who live together for a lifetime.“We must ‘accompany’ couples, so that they know how to live crises as opportunities for growth and not as moments that mark insuperable wounds.”

22 May 2025
Many thanks to parishioner Eddie Gray, Leeds United legend, for spending time with us at the mens' evening on Wednesday. His insight into decades of football history had everyone riveted. His fraternal kindness and conviviality was much appreciated by all. Thank you to Bill for organising, for those who helped with the bar and setting up and to Katherine and Marie for a delicious supper.
20 May 2025
All parishioners are invited to our first film night on 8th June at 5pm in the Parish Centre. With appropriate licensing, we will be showing "The Mission", the emotional historical drama of Jesuits in eighteenth-century South America. Featuring standout performances from Jeremy Irons, Robert de Niro and Liam Neeson (in only his third major movie), the backdrop of Iguacu Falls and the beauty of Ennio Morricone's score complement this tale of Catholic faith and colonial power. (Ice creams in the interval!)
19 May 2025
Please pray for five adult Confirmation Candidates due to be confirmed at a Mass on Pentecost Sunday. They have begun their preparations for the event at which three will also make their first communion. It is wonderful to see people returning/coming to faith in our parish and they appreciate your prayers as they move forward on their spiritual journey. If you would like to enquire about adult baptism/confirmation, please have a word with Fr Simon after Mass or email him on simon.bradbury@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
19 May 2025
Many thanks to Marie Baker for her work on refurbishing the Kirkstall Room, paid for by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The room, on the first floor of the parish centre, is now available to book for parish meetings or for rental by outside agencies.
7 May 2025
We are looking for adult and teen volunteers in many different areas - come and see how you can help!
7 May 2025
SAVE THE DATE FOR HOLIDAY BIBLE CAMP 2025! “Marvelous Mystery – the Mass comes alive” will be held Jul 21-25, 2025 from 9am – 12pm each day in the parish Centre. All children age 5-11 are welcome! There will be games, music, crafts, and snacks. Please check the web site for more details. Adult and Teen volunteers (age 12+) are needed to help run the camp. If interested, please contact Marie Baker as soon as possible at mbaker0813@gmail.com
27 April 2025
The St Robert's Building Fund was launched at Masses on Low Sunday weekend. Previously, it was announced that, due to an accumulation of quite urgent work which needs to take place on the church and presbytery, mainly in the area of roof and drains, we would be setting up such a Fund to ease the burden on existing parish funds. The Building Fund will be launched this weekend with a short presentation by a member of the Building Fund Committee at each of the weekend Masses. The work is expected to last between three and five years, with a plan to begin in the autumn this year. The total cost is reckoned to be in the region of £300,000. An overview of the proposed works with pictures of some of the affected areas is available at the link below and we will be giving regular updates on the progress of both the fund and the work once it starts. The architect’s proposals are still going through the various diocesan committees whose approval is needed in terms of art, architecture and finance (the church is a l
10 April 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. More details of cost, timings etc. will be promulgated closer to the time along with the opportunity to book a place. Save the date if you would like to join us.
6 April 2025
The next Seminar will take place on Sunday 22nd June at 10am in preparation for the Baptism Mass at 11am on Sunday 29th June 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 momentous day in the spiritual journey of these little ones. Please hand the completed enrolment form, which is available at the back of church, to Fr Simon.
by Webmaster 26 February 2025
Thank you to those parents who have signed up their children for First Holy Communion this year. Applications for this year's programme have now closed - the registration period of several weeks is now over. The First Holy Communion Programme began with a parents evening on Tuesday 22 nd April 2025. This was an opportunity for all parents to attend a presentation on what the programme involves and on the work that they are expected to do with their children at home between the sessions. The catechesis takes place after the 9am Mass from 10-11.30am on Sundays 27 th April, 11 th May and 18 th May with your child receiving First Holy Communion at their usual mass time throughout June. Please arrange with the parish office the mass date and time you would like your child to receive the sacrament for the first time. A plenary mass, when all the children come together to be presented to the parish and receive their certificates, will take place at 9am on Sunday 6 th July. Please note if your child completed their First Reconciliation in 2025, your child will complete their First Holy Communion in 2026.
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