Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation
Pope Francis has just published his first major document, or apostolic exhortation, called Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Writing in The Tablet on 14 December, Fr Jim Hanvey, a Jesuit like Pope Francis, said: ‘Evangelii Gaudium is long, rich in ideas, important and extraordinary. Despite its length, it has energy, drive and passion. Although Pope Francis has deftly taken up the fruits of the Synod on the New Evangelisation, the exhortation carries his unique voice and themes. This gives it a freshness combined with an urgency – almost a prophetic urgency – that marks a significant new tone and a new way for the papacy to engage with the people of God. John Paul II, writing in 2001, called upon the Church to put out into the deep. With Evangelii Gaudium there is a sense that we have set sail.’
In 2014, we will be reviewing our College mission, beginning with a training day for staff and governors on Friday 4 April. We will then involve parents and carers and students in this important dialogue as we ask ourselves can we better express our mission in ways which are fresh, inspiring, and true to the Gospel. Our mission at St Gregory’s is part of the mission of the universal Church to bring all people to the peace and freedom of Jesus Christ, and as such this extraordinary document from Pope Francis should be one of our guiding texts. I would urge governors, staff, parents and students to read this document in the coming year and engage fully in the process of reviewing our mission. Please follow the link below to access the document.
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R. Friel
15 December 2013, Gaudete Sunday
