The theme for Catholic Education Week 2016 is ‘Catholic Education: Opening the doors of Mercy’ which aligns with the global Catholic Church’s celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which centres on pardon, strength and love.
Pope Francis declared that from December 8 2015 until November 20 2016, the Catholic Church will celebrate an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The year began with the opening of the Holy Door in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on the 8th December 2015, and this symbolic act was mirrored here in Tasmania by His Grace Archbishop Porteous at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart.
Pope Francis has declared that for this year it will be a ‘Door of Mercy’ through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who, consoles, pardons and instills hope. Catholic Education Week 2016 will reflect on the Year of Mercy, drawing on the symbolism that Catholic Schools in Tasmania have always and will continue to ‘open doors’ for students in a holistic educational sense.
In keeping with Pope Francis’ teachings the theme challenges members of the Catholic Education community to extend tangible assistance to those in need and recognise and follow the example of those who in some way ‘open doors’ for others.