Catholic Education Week

The theme for 2025 is: 'May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.' (Romans 15:13)

Catholic Education Week is an annual opportunity for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat to celebrate their distinctive ethos and mission with their school and wider communities.

In 2025, 52 primary schools and 11 secondary Colleges educate more than 18,500 students and employ almost 3,000 teachers and staff across the diocese from Mildura in the north, Portland in the south, and west to Edenhope and Nhill.

2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2025th anniversary of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The concept of "Jubilee" originates in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Jubilees are now celebrated every 25 years. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope." Our theme is built on the Jubilee while drawing on the gift of scripture where St Paul writes to the community of believers in Rome.

The context of the greater passage of St Paul’s letters to the Romans is to provide direction, encouragement, and guidance to the community of believers in Rome, a community that Paul had not met personally. In the Ballarat Diocese today, as a community of communities from the Murray to the Sea, we are also tasked to uplift and guide those within our Catholic Christian educational community.

We draw on the inspiration of Pope Francis and the wisdom of St Paul as we strive to bring the peace and joy that God offers to the people of our communities.

Loving God,

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you guide and nurture the minds and hearts of the young.

May the God of hope grant you wisdom to teach with truth, patience to lead with compassion, and faith to inspire with love.

May you always find strength in the mission to reflect Christ’s light in your service, and may your work bear lasting fruit in the lives of those you serve.

Amen.

30 Years of Service Award 

Congratulations to Fran Lindsey who receives an award on Friday night in recognition of her 30 years of service in Catholic Education.  30 years with an average of 25 children per year means that there have been about 750 lucky children who have experienced the gentle, joyful and loving care that comes with having Ms Lindsey as a teacher.

Spirit of Catholic Education Award

Yuichi Deguchi has been nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award in recognition of his incredible commitment to the teaching of the Japanese language and culture across all of the schools in our area.  Much was said about the astonishing career of Yuichi at the end of last year and this nomination is justly deserved. The winners of these awards will be announced on Friday.  Good luck Yuichi.