Jubilee Spirit Shines as Bishop Visits St Mary’s Catholic School

As Catholics around the globe continue to celebrate the Church’s Jubilee Year, students in Newcastle were joined by a special guest for Jubilee Day on Friday 27 June.

The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Stephen Wright, spent the morning at St Mary’s Catholic School, where he met with students of all ages, and led a Mass for the Year 7 cohort – as well as enjoying a picnic lunch.

“This year is the Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church, with the theme being ‘Pilgrims of Hope’,” said St Mary’s Headteacher, Emma Patterson. “As part of the broader Jubilee Year, Friday 27 June 2025 was Jubilee Day.

“Bishop Stephen visited St Mary’s on this day, and we had a very busy morning of activities planned for him, so that he could meet as many of our students as possible, and observe the vibrant Catholic/Christian life of our school.”

Jubilees take place within the Catholic Church every 25 years, with this year’s beginning on Christmas Eve 2024, and finishing on 6 January 2026.

Organised by Miss Patterson with the help of Assistant Headteacher Rachael Blackburn and Deputy Headteacher Danielle Largue, the St Mary’s Jubilee Day event included around 1,000 students from Years 7 to 10 at the school, which is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust.

Activities included a question-and-answer session where Year 9 and 10 students had the opportunity to put their questions to the Bishop; a Year 8 mini spiritual retreat; and tutor-time Jubilee Pledges; as well as the Mass led by Bishop Stephen; and the Jubilee picnic lunch.

“All subject lessons throughout the day had a Jubilee theme, and the Bishop visited a cross-section of lessons,” continued Miss Patterson. “The atrium in the centre of the school was decorated to celebrate the day. We also presented gifts to the Bishop.”

It was the third time that Bishop Stephen had spent time at St Mary’s, having twice attended the Diocesan Holocaust Memorial Evening, which is held each January at the school.

“Events like Jubilee Day are hugely important and significant, given the importance of the Jubilee Year for Catholics around the world – and particularly important as the Bishop came to our school on this special day,” added Miss Patterson. 

“It also had special significance, given that, within this Jubilee Year, we have had a change of Pope, with the sad death of Pope Francis, and Pope Leo appointed very recently.

“It was hugely beneficial to the entire St Mary’s community, as it let us celebrate the vibrant and inclusive spiritual life of our school, in the presence of Bishop Stephen.”