As the 2024 academic year draws to a close, we are invited to look ahead with anticipation to 2025 and the new opportunities that will bring. 2025 is also a very special time for the Catholic Church across the world as it will be a Jubilee Year for the Church. A Jubilee Year has been a tradition of the Church since 1300 and is a holy year that points the faithful to reconciliation and a time of profound renewal, joy, and rediscovery of God’s infinite mercy.
The 2025 Jubilee will focus on the theme Pilgrims of Hope, offering all Catholics an opportunity to reflect on their spiritual journey and the mission we share as followers of Christ. The start of the year’s celebrations will be marked by the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s cathedral in Rome by Pope Francis. This symbolic gesture expresses our desire to follow and be guided by Jesus who said in John’s gospel: “I am the gat. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find good pasture.” (John 10:10). It is directly after this passage in John’s gospel that we find the reference to our school motto “with Him is the Fullness of Life” (John 10:10).
Pope Francis describes the Jubilee as a time to "embrace the future with hope and trust," a call that resonates deeply in a world searching for, and desperately in need of, unity and peace. It is a chance to renew our faith, strengthen our commitment to justice and love, and live the Gospel with authenticity and courage. Preparations are already underway in Rome, with the Vatican developing resources, pilgrimages, and initiatives designed to inspire the global Church to walk together on this journey of faith. Earlier this term, I had the opportunity to visit Rome and see the preparations underway for the Jubilee as well as meeting with those in the Vatican leading them. There is a sense of urgency and of great hope for what can come from this year of grace.
These preparations remind us that a Jubilee is not only about external celebration but also about internal renewal. Just as the Vatican is creating spaces and opportunities for encounter with the God who loves us completely, we at John Paul College are invited to prepare ourselves for this holy year by reflecting on our lives and fostering a deeper connection with God and one another.
This theme of preparation is beautifully mirrored in the season of Advent, which we now enter—a sacred time of waiting and hope. Advent calls us to prepare for the coming of Christ, both in the celebration of His birth at Christmas and in our daily lives. It is a season rich in meaning, inviting us to reflect on the virtues of hope, peace, joy, and love.
At John Paul College, we strive to embrace the dual nature of Advent: its spiritual depth and its connection to the everyday realities of our community. Through our liturgies, reflections, and prayer, our students and staff are encouraged to focus on the sacred meaning of this season. We reflect on the hope that Christ’s birth brings to the world and the peace that His presence offers to each of us.
At the same time, we are mindful of the practical ways we can live out this hope and peace and the role that each of us plays in bringing about God’s will. As a community, we engage in acts of generosity and service, such as supporting local charities, organising Christmas hampers for families in need, and sharing the joy of the season with those who might feel isolated. In doing so, we embody the call of Pope Francis to be a “Church that goes forth,” a community rooted in compassion and action. Together we can help support others in material ways but, perhaps more importantly, let them know that someone cares.
As we prepare for Christmas and the Jubilee Year, we also take this time to celebrate the end of the academic year and the incredible achievements of our students. End-of-year events such as our Year 12 graduation and Valedictory function, the Awards Night, end of year assemblies and other less formal celebrations highlight the hard work of our students and the dedication of our staff who have supported them. These moments remind us of the importance of community and the shared journey we take as a school. As we celebrate these achievements, we also look forward to what lies ahead, confident that our students are ready to embrace the future with hope and courage.
May this Advent season bring peace and joy to your families, and may the coming Jubilee inspire us all to journey together as pilgrims of hope.