In this Church’s Year of Jubilee, a time of renewal, mercy, and joyful hope, McAuley Catholic High School in Doncaster has truly lived out the call to “Pilgrims of Hope.” The school community has embraced every opportunity to walk in faith, offer service, and grow closer to God, reflecting the core themes of the Jubilee across all aspects of school life.
Pilgrimage has been a powerful thread woven throughout the year. Students from Years 10 and 12 joined the Hallam Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, walking in solidarity with the sick, the elderly, and other pilgrims seeking healing and peace. Their commitment to humble service and deep prayer during this sacred journey made them witnesses to the Jubilee message of compassion and encounter.
Closer to home, spiritual retreats gave students the space to reflect, reconnect, and renew their hearts. Year 7 began their McAuley journey with day retreats in the local parish hall and then were offered a special time away at Savio House, laying spiritual foundations for their life at secondary school. Year 10 and 11 students also returned to Savio for their own times of retreat as they prepared for their GCSE years, each tailored to their stage of life and faith. Year 8 students journeyed to Teen Ranch in Scotland, blending outdoor adventure with times of reflection, scripture, and silence—experiences that echoed the Jubilee’s spirit of joy and interior renewal.
The rhythm of daily prayer and liturgy within the school has remained strong and central. Whether through form prayers, weekly liturgical celebrations, or powerful moments of reflection during Advent and Holy Week, students have continually been invited into the mystery of God’s mercy. The Year of Jubilee has especially encouraged deeper engagement with reconciliation and personal renewal, and students have responded with sincerity and openness.
In the spirit of the Jubilee’s call to charity and justice, McAuley students have taken part in wide-ranging fundraising and service initiatives. The Million Minutes campaign challenged them to give not just money but time—through silence, service, and solidarity. Throughout the year, students have shown themselves to be young people who don’t just speak about faith, but live it out through compassionate action.
The Catholic ethos of McAuley has shone brightly in every corner of the school this year. Inspired by the call to Jubilee, the community has found strength in tradition, hope in prayer, and joy in service. As the universal Church celebrates this sacred year of grace, McAuley stands as a vibrant witness to what it means to be a pilgrim school of hope. Polly Witter
