Religious 

Education News

Sydney Catholic Schools theme 2025 

Each year, a theme is created for Sydney Catholic Schools that is centred on Pope Francis’ message for youth and a Scripture passage for World Youth Day reflection. The chosen Scripture for 2025 focuses on how the baptised are called to be witnesses in the modern world, a call that is also applicable to all SCS staff, students and families. 

Part of being a witness is the call to seek and promote what is good, true and beautiful in creation. This is core to Catholic education and a matter for rejoicing, especially in the Jubilee Year of 2025.

The chosen image for the 2025 theme comes from the Clancy Prize Religious Art Exhibition 2024, capturing the essence of the Jubilee theme, "Pilgrims of Hope," and was designed to inspire students from Years 7 to 11 to explore and deepen their spiritual knowledge. 

As we journey together in faith, may we always seek what is good, true, and beautiful in our lives and in the world around us. Inspired by the words of John 15:27, let us embrace our call to be witnesses of Christ’s love, reflecting His light in our actions, words, and relationships. May this year be a time of renewed hope, deepened faith, and a commitment to walk in His grace.

May we always seek what is … good, true and beautiful.

Jubilee 2025 - Year of HOPE 

The term “Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram’s horn. The Jubilee 2025 is a special holy year in Rome and the Vatican City, and across Italy, starting at Christmas 2024 and ending at Epiphany 2026. A Jubilee year is a time for celebration, and sees millions of pilgrims visiting Rome seeking spiritual renewal and a stronger connection to their faith.

It is a tradition of the Catholic church to celebrate Jubilee or 'Holy Year'. Though there are indications of this Jewish tradition in the Old Testament, the first Jubilee, or "Holy Year," was declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. Initially held every 100 years, the frequency changed to every 50 years under Pope Clement VI and then to every 25 years under Pope Paul II. The Holy Father invites young people to engage in life more fully, rather than just through the lens of social media: “My advice to you is this: do not set out as mere tourists, but as true pilgrims”.

The 2025 Jubilee is centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” As His Holiness Pope Francis so beautifully expressed it: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision." During the Jubilee Year, the Pope invites every one of us to embark on a pilgrimage of hope, so that, "Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it."

There is struggle in hope, hope gives us work to do. We do not hope alone, it requires companions, people who want our good and who help us along the way. 

At St Francis Xavier, let us be pilgrims of Hope in 2025. 

95th Anniversary Mass - Friday 21st February 

On Friday, 21st February, St Francis Xavier will celebrate our 95th Anniversary Mass at 9:30 am. This milestone marks a very special day in our school’s history. Ninety-five years ago, the Ursuline sisters arrived from Armidale to establish our school and provide the high standard of education that continues to this day.

Throughout the years, St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School has remained faithful to the spirit and values of the Ursuline Order, inspired by St Ursula and founded by St Angela Merici. Both women were deeply devoted to Jesus and dedicated their lives to guiding others in faith, particularly through the education and empowerment of young people.

At this special Mass, we will come together to honour and recognise this significant occasion. We will also commission our newest staff members, Mrs Rodrigo, Mr Tropeano, and Miss Buckley as well as officially commission the 2025 student leadership team.

We look forward to celebrating this momentous event with our school community.