Jubilee year prompts spiritual renewal at CatholicCare

March 3, 2025

In Pope Francis’ Jubilee message in February 2025, he described the Jubilee Year as a time for spiritual renewal and new beginnings, “The Jubilee is for people and for the Earth a new beginning; everything must be rethought within the dream of God,” the Pope told pilgrims gathered for the morning audience. 

Across CatholicCare, the spiritual renewal associated with Jubilee initiatives has been profound. To mark the Jubilee of Artists on 18th February, CatholicCare held an art competition where many of our Children’s Services and disability clients were invited to explore the Jubilee themes of hope and renewal through art.  

Out of School Hours Care Coordinator, Joana was initially challenged by the prospect of explaining Jubilee to students. “It seemed to be a big concept with conversion and renewal being difficult to explain,” Joana says. “We decided to show the students a short video explaining the Jubilee Year, and it just made so much sense to the children. It doesn’t need to be complicated because the Jubilee Year is simply about slowing down and making time… making time to pray and making time to look to others in a different way.” 

Joana says that in their discussions about Jubilee, she has been encouraging the students to be more receptive to the needs of people around them. “I tell the students that in prayer we can ask God, ‘What is happening inside me and what is happening around me?’ Perhaps they have a friend or elderly neighbour who needs help. The Jubilee Year is about making time to stop, to listen and to rediscover our faith in God.” 

For Joana, one day it clicked that all of this applied to her too. “I realised that I had moved away from the Church, and that I needed to start making time for God in my life again,” Joana says. “The Pope, in the Jubilee Year, is encouraging us to reconnect with the Church, to go to confession, to put our faith in God again, and to stop and think about where God fits into our lives. For various reasons, some of us move away from the Church, and the Jubilee Year is about journeying back.” 

Joana explains that in their program they have a gratitude jar for students and families to write down what they are grateful for. “Since starting our Jubilee discussions, the jar has been filling up so quickly,” Joana says. “Children have been going home and talking about Jubilee. We’ve had some parents come up and ask us questions about Jubilee because their children seem so excited and are asking to go to church.” 

Artists at Boonah and Tarooki art studios for people with a disability were also invited to explore the Jubilee themes through art. Participants were invited to create artworks reflecting on Leviticus 25:4: “During the seventh year, you must let the land rest. This will be a special time to honour the Lord. You must not plant seed in your field or trim your vineyards.” They were also presented with the words hope, the land, rest and new life as prompts.  

The competition entries were outstanding. The deep thought and reflection that went into the creative process was evident and the themes of hope and renewal clearly resonated with the artists.  

Benedict Day’s artwork titled ‘Hope, new life. The land,’ was his depiction of heaven with flowing waterfalls, flowers and fields of green. The caption for his piece read, ‘Sunlight shines down on the world from heaven making new life.’ 

Susan Mitchell’s entry also explored themes of new life. “The sprout in my artwork represents the new growth on the land,” Susan says. “A seed pod has fallen from above and regenerated new life. I used embroidery thread on canvas paper to give the artwork a multi-dimensional feel; I wanted the artwork to feel alive and have texture to it, representing a lifelike tree.” 

Boonah Activity Leader Cadence Delaney explains that initially the theme posed a challenge for many participants. “The team worked closely with them, helping to break down the scripture quote. We explored the colours they envisioned and aimed to incorporate their unique artistic voices. The final artworks did surprise me, their spin on things always surprises me.” 

Cadence explains that through the creative process, the Jubilee themes became accessible and relatable to the artists. As they journeyed deeper into the creative process, the concepts of hope and renewal became held greater meaning. “Art holds immense power, especially for individuals living with disabilities,” Cadence explains. “For many, expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas through words can be difficult, and art provides a meaningful alternative. By engaging deeply with the artists, discussing feelings, colours, patterns, and imagery, we are able to understand their visions and bring those concepts to life.” 

What began as a humble art competition to mark the Jubilee of Artists has prompted a spiritual renewal in many of our CatholicCare communities. As the Jubilee Year progresses, we pray that the Holy Spirit continues to renew, refresh and inspire.