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.”

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
21 April 2025
Pope Francis was remembered at a special Mass in St Robert's on Wednesday this week and, of course, prayers will be said for him at all Masses during the "Novendiales" - nine days of mourning. May he rest in peace.
17 April 2025
Congratulations to eight young men baptised, confirmed and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Thank you to Jack Clarke and Margaret Tolan who, along with Fr Simon, accompanied them on their journey of faith. Matthew, Jacob, Nathan, George, Jake, Will, Will, David, Margaret, Jack and Fr Simon will continue to meet and explore faith in the weeks to come and, if anyone out there is looking to join the Catholic Church, they are very welcome to come and explore with us. Just speak with Fr Simon after Mass to register your interest. Confirmation names chosen by the candidates include the patron saint of England - George, the soldier who pierced Christ’s side on the cross and became a convert - Longinus, Oscar Romero, the martyred bishop of El Salvador and Francis of Assisi.
16 April 2025
Pope Francis has encouraged parishes to connect with local Saints in this Jubilee Year, asking them to "remember and honour these figures of holiness each year". Richard Atkinson, a parishioner from Yorkshire has researched a selection of Saints and the Blessed with Yorkshire connections and has kindly agreed to come to St Robert's to share with us his understanding of their journey in faith to demonstrate the extraordinary lives they led from ordinary beginnings. The lives of the Saints are a historical account but their witness of God's love along with their intercessions shed light on our lives today. The talk will take place in the parish centre at 4pm on Sunday 18th May and all are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Do put this date into your diary - it should be an enjoyable and informative event in celebration of this Jubilee Year.
14 April 2025
The next Men's Evening will take place for parishioners on Wednesday 21st May between 6.30pm to 9.30pm. It will begin with the usual adoration in church from 6.30pm. We will then repair to the parish centre at 7pm for drinks and a talk by a well known St Robert's parishioner. This will be followed by a two course meal. Do join us for what should be an enjoyable evening. A sign up sheet is in the narthex simply to give an idea of numbers. A nominal charge of £15 to cover costs will be payable on the night by cash or card. Any monies left over will go into the St Robert's Building Fund. A sign up sheet will be placed at the back of church in early May.
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.
3 April 2025
A Celebration Mass for Married Life for couples and their families celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries this year will take place at St Anne's Cathedral at noon on Saturday 17th May, giving couples an opportunity to renew their marriage vows. If you are celebrating the anniversary of your wedding and you would like to take part, please fill out the application form which is available at the back of church or downloadable below.
1 April 2025
May is the month dedicated to Mary and the May crowning is an act of popular devotion in honour of our Blessed Mother, proclaimed as Queen of Heaven by Pope Pius XII. The children attending the 9am Mass on Sunday 4th May will participate in the crowning and everyone is invited to bring flowers to offer our Blessed Mother this day and throughout the month of May. Vases will be available in the Lady Chapel for your convenience. A special Tea and Coffee will be served in the Centre after Mass.
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.
25 February 2025
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