ALLENTOWN, Pa. – This past year was a special one for Catholics all across the world.
It was the Jubilee Year of Hope, and on Sunday, the Allentown Catholic Diocese held a special service to bring the year’s festivities to an end. It was held inside the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena.
“Every 25 years they proclaim a Jubilee for the entire church community,” said Sister Mathilde DeLucy.
The jubilee began on December 28th of 2024. Since then, Bishop Alfred Schlert said it has included five special masses of the Anointing of the Sick, and even a pilgrimage to Rome.
“We’ve received a lot of blessings in this past year. So many different ways that God has blessed us, so we give a lot of thanks today,” said Bishop Schlert.
Church parishioners in the pews tell us the closing ceremony was a special experience.
“There’s such a feeling of love that goes throughout, and I wish that that love could extend beyond this church,” said Patricia Lorenz.
“As a Catholic community, coming together and reminding ourselves that, no matter what’s going on in the world, whatever it is, the Lord is with us,” said Sister DeLucy.
As the Year of Hope comes to an end, the Allentown Diocese is preparing to celebrate another momentous event: the 65th anniversary of its founding. Bishop Schlert said there’s a lot to look forward to.
“The year of hope may be over today, but the hope that we have as Jesus as our savior never ends,” said Bishop Schlert.