Jubilant Jubilee Masses Unite SJB Trust Schools

In this Jubilee Year, the Catholic Church is inviting communities everywhere to experience the joy and strength that comes from coming together in faith. It is a time of reset, renewal, and recommitment to building a more just and compassionate world.

Saint John the Baptist Catholic Multi Academy Trust recently marked this special year by organising two celebration Masses for their schools, held at St Mary’s, Lowestoft, and St Martha’s, King’s Lynn.

The liturgies featured a new Mass setting created in collaboration between Notre Dame’s Shine Band and Hamish Macqueen, Director of Youth Service for the Diocese of East Anglia. The music was based on Hamish’s uplifting hymn It’s a Jubilee, which he kindly came along to perform live with the band.

The Masses were celebrated by Fr Pádraig Hawkins and Fr Gordon Adam. In their homilies, both priests spoke about the importance of young people sharing their hopeful perspective with the wider world. Fr Gordon suggested that one of the best ways for them to do this is by singing with confidence during Mass. Judging by the enthusiastic voices filling the churches, the children were more than happy to rise to the occasion.

Kim Payne, Interim CEO of St John the Baptist Catholic Multi Academy Trust, shared her reflections on the celebrations:

“In this Jubilee Year, it has been truly inspiring to witness our young people come together in faith, joy, and hope. These Masses were a wonderful reminder that our schools are not just places of learning, but communities of love and light, committed to building a just and compassionate world. I am deeply proud of every pupil, member of staff, and others who made these celebrations so meaningful.”

As part of the Jubilee Year, CAFOD has invited all schools to create their own special pledges to show how they will commit to being Pilgrims of Hope. During the offertory, pupils brought forward their school’s pledge as a powerful symbol of their desire to offer their lives in service and hope.

These joyful gatherings were a testament to the faith, creativity, and dedication of the young people and staff across the Trust, and a fitting celebration of this extraordinary year in the life of the Church.

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