During the opening of the Jubilee of Hope at Our Lady of the Assumption (Cathedral) last January, I announced I would be opening a second Jubilee Door at "Florence Spiritual Centre". In this way, all those visiting the Diocesan Spiritual Centre for personal or group retreats or time of prayer, would be able to re-commit themselves to be "instruments of hope" in our diocese and country.
This was, in fact, the spirit, at our gathering on Sunday 02 March 2025 at Florence.
We gathered by the grotto and walked towards the church as a reminder that we are a pilgrim people (Pilgrims of hope).
After the blessing and opening of the Jubilee Holy Door, delegates carrying candles representing the groups that need hope in our country, lit them from the Easter Candle: Jesus is risen, He is our hope!
The list of those in need of hope had been identified at the last 2024 Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, in preparation for our Jubilee year. We prayed for each one of them during our intercessions.
Then, at the end of Mass, everyone was invited to come to the altar and take a card specially prepared for the day.
It was a call to commit ourselves to be "instruments of hope" in our daily lives. The cards listed ten groups and all those who chose to take a card would choose - in his or her heart - one of these groups and strengthen their hope in Jesus' name.
We were invited to keep the card in a place that we would see often, as a reminder of our commitment: a bedside lamp, a small prayer table at home, the Bible or hymnbook...
