The Year of Hope 

Pope Francis has announced that this 2025 year will be a Jubilee year, a Holy year. The Jubilee year is a very special and important landmark moment in the global Church. School communities are invited to join together as pilgrims of HOPE. Working together as pilgrims, we will all pledge to work towards God's Kingdom of love, peace and justice. At Stella Maris we will be working hard to continue our School Mission and to showcase our HOPE for a better future. We will be doing this alongside our local and global community. 

The Jubilee Prayer 

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread 
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever. 

Amen.

Official prayer from Pope Francis for the Jubilee year 2025, "Pilgrims of hope"

Our Jubilee Assembly - May 2025

On Wednesday 30th April, Mrs Whittle, Mrs McBennett, Mrs Burford and Fr Panario came to visit Stella Maris with the special Jubilee candle. The Jubilee candle is visiting all the schools within our TRUST. The Sunshine Team led the prayer and liturgy and it was beautiful. We shared Class Pledges (see below), we thought about the meaning of Hope and we shared prayers and songs. We also lit our class Jubilee candles from the main Jubilee candle. 

Our Pledges for the Year of Hope 

The Imps Class Pledge is to always show love. 

The Pixies Class Pledge is to show kindness in actions and words. 

The Elves Class Pledge is to carry out an act of kindness every day. 

The Hobbits Class Pledge is to support charities and the homeless.

The Dragons Class Pledge is to follow in Jesus' footsteps. 

The Griffins Class Pledge is to not look back on what you have done wrong but to think about what you have done right, and to do it with a smile. 

The Unicorns Class Pledge is to live out our school values as we journey to pastures new.

The Staff Pledge is always ensure that people feel loved and valued. 

Our Jubilee Prayer and Liturgy - May 2025

On Wednesday 1st May, Mrs Whittle, Mrs McBennett, Mrs Burford and Fr Panario visited our school with the Jubilee candle. We held a prayer and liturgy, reflecting on the meaning on Hope. We prayed together, sang together and read our class pledges. It was a beautiful way to gather together and think about our pilgrimage of Hope. 

Year of Hope Launch Day Display - January 2025

The whole school worked on some beautiful daffodil artwork during the Year of Hope launch day, as the daffodil is the flower of hope. Once the artwork was completed, Mr Burton created this wonderful display for all to enjoy. 

"May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may be abound in hope." Romans 15:13