Jubilee Year
Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope
This year is a special Jubilee year. They happens every 25 years in the Catholic Church!
The 2025 Jubilee Year begins on Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes on 6th January 2026. For schools, the Jubilee launch day is on Friday 24th January 2025.
Pope Francis has called this Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. It’s an invitation to renew our hope;
We are invited as Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can "restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone". We are also invited to rediscover a spirituality of God's creation in which we understand ourselves as "pilgrims on the earth" rather than masters of the world and by put our Catholic Social Teaching into action through caring for our common home, and supporting our sisters and brothers who are experiencing war, hunger or poverty.
The cross: The large cross at the centre reminds us of Jesus, and is a symbol of faith and hope.
The people: The four figures represent all people on earth. Their arms are around each other to show solidarity and friendship, and that we should be one, united global family.
The waves: The flowing waves symbolise our pilgrimage together and that life’s journey is not always smooth, sometimes the journey can be rough and challenging
The anchor: The anchor is a symbol of hope. It steadies ships during storms and rough weather
Jubilee for Schools Animation | CAFOD
Big Lent Walk
After Ash Wednesday mass the children started their Big Lent Walk together with their buddies on the church field, they walked half a mile together to launch the fundraising effort. All children will walk together again throughout lent and we set ourselves a target of 100miles collectively over this period of giving, fasting and praying. We are challenging them to do sponsored walks in and out of school to raise money for CAFOD and as part of our Jubilee Year of Hope journey. We ask you to share with us how far they have walked to add to our running total in school.
Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
At St Mary's, we were delighted to celebrate the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year 2025, themed "Pilgrims of Hope." Throughout the year, our pupils, staff and families embraced opportunities to deepen their faith, strengthen our community and put Gospel values into action.
The Jubilee Year provided a special opportunity for us to reflect on hope, service and our responsibility to care for one another and for God's creation. Through prayer, worship, charitable outreach and environmental action, our children explored what it means to be pilgrims of hope in today's world.
Celebration of the Word
To mark the Jubilee Year, pupils participated in special Celebrations of the Word focused on the themes of hope, forgiveness, justice and service. These prayerful gatherings encouraged children to reflect on how they can be signs of hope within their families, school and wider community.
Jubilee Pledge Day
As part of our Jubilee celebrations, we held a Jubilee Pledge Day, where every class reflected on ways they could make a positive difference in the world. Pupils made personal and collective pledges inspired by the teachings of Jesus, committing themselves to acts of kindness, care for creation, service to others and living out our school values of Believe, Achieve, Flourish.
CAFOD and Charitable Action
Our partnership with CAFOD played an important role in our Jubilee Year journey. Pupils welcomed CAFOD visitors into school, learning about global justice, human dignity and how communities around the world are supported through faith and action.
Children also participated in fundraising activities to support CAFOD's work, recognising that small acts of generosity can have a significant impact on the lives of others. These experiences helped pupils understand the importance of solidarity and living out Catholic Social Teaching.
The Big Lent Walk
During Lent, pupils, staff and families enthusiastically took part in The Big Lent Walk, raising money for CAFOD while reflecting on the values of sacrifice, compassion and service. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for our school community to come together in support of those experiencing poverty and hardship around the world.
Caring for God's Creation
As part of our commitment to the Jubilee Year and the message of Laudato Si', pupils explored ways to care for our common home. Through the work of our Eco School Council and Laudato Si' Representatives, children took part in activities that promoted environmental responsibility and sustainability.
We also celebrated World Environment Day, giving pupils opportunities to reflect on their role as stewards of God's creation. Through environmental projects, collective worship and classroom activities, children considered practical ways to protect and care for the world around them.
A Year of Hope
The Jubilee Year has been a wonderful opportunity for our school community to grow in faith, service and hope. Through prayer, worship, fundraising, environmental action and charitable outreach, our pupils have learned that they can make a positive difference in the world by following the example of Jesus and living out the Gospel message every day.
