GPBS - At the Heart of it All (Ireland 2027 Pilgrimage)

Dear fellow educators,

There are certain journeys that stay with us long after we return home – journeys that inspire, challenge and deepen our understanding of who we are and the communities we serve. It is with this spirit that we warmly invite you to join us on a pilgrimage to Ireland, a land whose people, faith and traditions have played a profound role in shaping Catholic education in Australia.

Throughout our journey, we will visit the places where many of the founders and religious congregations that established schools across Australia first lived, prayed and served. We will encounter the stories of the Sisters  of Mercy, Presentation Sisters, Brigidine Sisters, Christian Brothers, Benedictines and Carmelites, whose courage, vision and dedication to faith-filled education continue to influence Catholic schools today. By exploring the places that formed them, we gain a richer appreciation of the legacy they entrusted to us and the mission we continue in our own communities.

This pilgrimage is much more than a study of history. It is an opportunity to reflect on our vocation as educators, to reconnect with the values that underpin Catholic education, and to share meaningful experiences with colleagues who share a common commitment to faith and learning. Through prayer, conversation, storytelling and visits to places of deep spiritual significance, we will be invited to consider how these remarkable stories continue to shape and inspire our own lives and work.

Along the way, we will experience some of Ireland’s most treasured landscapes and cultural highlights. From ancient monastic settlements and sacred pilgrimage sites to dramatic coastlines, rolling green countryside and vibrant cities, Ireland offers a rich tapestry of history, beauty and hospitality. We will encounter places where faith has been nurtured for centuries, enjoy the warmth of local communities, and experience the music, stories and traditions that remain such an important part of Irish life.

Our journey will also provide time for friendship, reflection and enjoyment. Whether sharing a meal with fellow travellers, walking through a peaceful abbey garden, listening to local music, or standing in places that have inspired generations of pilgrims, there will be countless opportunities to pause, connect and appreciate the unique gifts of this remarkable country.

As we travel together, we hope not only to discover more about the past, but also to return renewed and inspired for the future. We look forward to sharing this memorable pilgrimage with you and exploring together the people, places and stories that continue to shape the rich tradition of Catholic education in Australia.

Go gently,

Paul Skippen  
Pilgrimage Leader

Testimonials from Ireland Pilgrimage 2025

"Recently, I was fortunate to have been part of a spiritual pilgrimage in Ireland. Our spiritual director, Paul Skippen, centred us each day in prayer, intentionally inviting us as pilgrims to journey differently. In Paul's words, "A pilgrimage is about an encounter, not simply of a place, but an encounter of the heartbeat within it.” Throughout my travels, Paul immersed pilgrims in the rich history of  sacred places and the stories of religious orders who travelled in mission from Ireland. "

Matthew Harrison
South Australian pilgrim.

"I left Australia expecting professional development. What I got was like coming home to something I didn't even know I had lost. Walking in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley, Edmund Rice, and countless Irish educators who shaped Catholic Education in Australia, I discovered that this wasn't just a trip – it was a pilgrimage that relit a flame within me."

Marc Forster
Principal
Catherine McAuley Primary School
Craigmore, SA.