St. Bernard Catholic School Celebrates Jubilee 2025

Posted On Tuesday April 01, 2025

St. Bernard Catholic School in Whitby has created their version of the Holy Doors for Jubilee 2025! 

St. Bernard Catholic School replicated the historical Holy Doors found in churches around the world including those at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Holy Doors were opened by Pope Francis on December 24, 2024, marking the beginning of Jubilee 2025. The doors will remain open until January 6, 2026, which will end this important time for Catholics around the world. 

Students began this collaborative project in January of this year with the hopes of spreading awareness of Jubilee 2025 within their school community. Mrs. Dyment, Grade 7 teacher and St. Bernard Catholic School’s Faith Ambassador, proposed the idea of assembling Holy Doors in collaboration with Mr. Lawlor and his Grade 11 and 12 Technology and Construction students at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School. Mr. Lawlor eagerly guided students in the construction of the doors and framework, while members of the St. Bernard Student Voice Council produced the artwork for the door panels. Students took inspiration from significant scenes throughout the Bible. “I am overjoyed at how willingly both staff and students involved in this project embraced this creative undertaking,” said Mrs. Dyment. “I am impressed by their enthusiasm in putting their creative talents to work to produce such beautiful symbols of our faith.” 

Mme Caputo, French as a Second Language teacher and staff facilitator of the St. Bernard’s Student Voice Council, supported the project by encouraging the creative and artistic abilities of the Grade 7 and 8 Council members. “Bringing together student leaders to work on such a meaningful project focused on our faith and collaborating with secondary students under the supervision of Mr. Lawlor, has been a wonderful experience,” said Mme Caputo. “Thank you to Mrs. Dyment for bringing forward the idea of creating our own doors as an initiative for the Student Voice Council to support.” 

Once completed, the doors were presented at a school Mass and were blessed by Father Lazlo, Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Whitby. Father Lazlo was touched by the work and effort put into this special project focused on celebrating the Jubilee Year 

News about this year's Jubilee was rapidly being spread throughout St. Bernard Catholic School. Students and staff involved came to understand the significance of the Jubilee Year. They shared this information with the broader school community and highlighted that the Jubilee takes place once every 25 years. Students learned this special time in the Church is also known as a “Holy Year” or a “Year of Mercy.” It is a time of forgiveness, solidarity, hope, justice, and serves as an opportunity to renew our commitment to grow and nurture our relationship with God.  

The St. Bernard Catholic School community look forward to joining others within the Durham Catholic District School Board to use the doors to participate in a symbolic Pilgrimage of Faith. “We are excited to share more in the near future about how these doors will be used to nurture our faith,” said Mrs. Dyment.  

Everyone who contributed their time and effort into this project is very pleased with the outcome and how many people it has reached. St. Bernard Catholic School students and staff hope that this work inspires people to grow closer to God, especially during this Jubilee year, and to create Holy Doors of their own! 

Article written by Cassandra A. and Emily R. from St. Bernard Catholic School.