Welcome to this special Jubilee year in our Catholic Church! Traditionally, a Jubilee year is proclaimed every 50 years as a time of economic, cultural, environmental, and communal reset—when both the land and the people rest.

In biblical times, the Jubilee year was a time of great renewal. Debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was returned to its original owners. It was a year fully dedicated to rest and restoration. During this time, the Israelites refrained from harvesting, instead spending quality time with family and loved ones.

But why the fiftieth year? The Bible places special emphasis on the number seven. We see this in the seven days of the week, with the seventh day, the Sabbath, set aside for rest and worship. This rhythm of rest brings balance to life. When we multiply seven by seven, we reach 49. The following year, the 50th, is marked as a grand reset—a whole year of renewal and restoration!

The essence of Jubilee is God’s inspired vision to interrupt the status quo. It is a sacred reset, deeply embedded in the way of life for God’s people. It is a call to realign our relationships—with God, with one another, and with creation. In a world where relationships are often strained and broken, Jubilee remains a prophetic reminder of God’s desire for all of creation to flourish.

In keeping with this spirit of renewal, the REIM Team is excited to share our Liturgical Theme and Touchstone for 2025: Pilgrims of Hope and Gospel Spirituality.

Inspired by the Year of Jubilee, our theme and imagery reflect the heart of our college community. The colour yellow, symbolising hope, is warm and uplifting—a reminder that hope is fundamental to our faith and humanity.

At the centre of our theme is the SFCC crest, reinforcing that Pilgrims of Hope will be at the heart of our college journey in 2025. The cross, representing our Gospel Spirituality touchstone, reminds us that as a community in the Edmund Rice tradition, we are called to follow Jesus, pray together, and live out his message of compassion, justice, and peace.

On the right side of the image is the official Jubilee logo, depicting four stylised figures representing all of humanity, coming together from different parts of the world. Their embrace symbolises solidarity and fraternity—a unity that binds all people. The front figure holds onto the cross, a sign of faith and hope, particularly in life’s greatest challenges.

Beneath the figures, the rough waves represent the challenges we face on life’s pilgrimage. The elongated cross, shaped like an anchor, symbolises the Anchor of Hope—a maritime term for the reserve anchor used in emergencies to stabilise a ship during storms. This reminds us that hope is our anchor in uncertain times.

The image also illustrates that our journey is not individual but communal. The dynamic cross bends toward humanity, reaching out to offer support and the certainty of God’s presence.

Throughout the year, staff and students will explore this theme and touchstone more deeply. As educators, we will reflect on how this theme can be woven into our wellbeing and learning programs, ensuring that it shapes our college experience in 2025.

We look forward to journeying together as Pilgrims of Hope, inspired by the call to live out the Gospel and embrace the spirit of Jubilee in our lives.