FR JUNRAY'S CORNER | St Kilian's Bendigo

Fr Junray's Corner

BUEN CAMINO!

July 5, 2026

I have been walking these days preparing for a three-month sabbatical starting in September. It will be a journey of prayer, renewal, study, and pilgrimage. At the heart of this time is the Camino del Norte, an ancient pilgrimage around 900 kilometres from Bayonne, France to Santiago de Compostela. For over a thousand years, pilgrims have walked these paths seeking not simply a destination, but healing and transformation. The Camino teaches a different rhythm of life. Every morning begins with a new horizon. Every step becomes a prayer. Every conversation becomes an encounter. Every challenge becomes an invitation to trust God a little more deeply. Many would say that it is not the Camino they wanted, but the Camino they needed. The Camino del Norte is considered one of the most beautiful, contemplative and difficult pilgrimage routes. Rather than crossing Spain’s central plains, I will be crossing the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia. Each region offers its own cuisine and culture. Another aspect of this pilgrimage that particularly inspires me is its deep connection with the ocean. Much of the Camino follows the Atlantic coastline, that accompany the pilgrim for hundreds of kilometres. As someone who has always found God close in nature: this coastline will become another place of prayer. These regions can be divided into the journey of the body, of the mind and of the soul. For sure, I will be asking this critical question many times over there: “Why am I here?”

After arriving in Santiago de Compostela, my sabbatical will continue with time immersed in the spirituality of St John of the Cross, one of the greatest mystics of our tradition. In Santiago, I will be staying with the Carmelite friars, then I will visit the southern Spain - Malaga, Cordoba, Granada and Seville where he wrote his major writings. One of John’s spiritual contributions to the Church is the mysterious journey of faith that he called the “dark night of the soul,” which I want to understand more and perhaps could guide people who enter a dark night.

Although I will be away from the parish, you will never be far from my heart. I will carry your prayers and intentions with me each day: in every sunrise, every Mass, every quiet church, every mountain path, every conversation with fellow pilgrims, every moment beside the ocean, and finally before the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago. My hope is that this pilgrimage will not simply renew one priest, but enrich our whole parish, reminding us that every Christian life is itself a Camino - a lifelong journey, one faithful step at a time, toward the heart of God.

Buen camino!

EVERY BAPTISED IS SENT!

July 19, 2026

One of the greatest gifts of the Second Vatican Council was its vision of the Church as the People of God - a community where every baptised person is called not simply to belong, but to participate fully, consciously, and actively in the mission of Christ. Through Baptism, each of us has received gifts to share, a vocation to live, and a mission to embrace. Vatican II invites us to make a profound movement: from being spectators to becoming active participants, and from active participants to intentional missionary disciples.

As we have journeyed through St Matthew’s Gospel over these past Sundays, Jesus has continually revealed what the Kingdom of God looks like - not only as a promise for heaven, but as a reality that begins here and now. Our goal is to realise the Kingdom of God here. It brings into flesh whenever ordinary people choose to forgive, welcome, serve, pray, encourage, and love. It grows whenever disciples move beyond simply attending church to becoming the Church in the world.

This spirit was at the heart of our recent Parish Pastoral Council (PPC members in the photo) gathering as we prepared for the Sandhurst Formation Institute on 21–22 August in Shepparton. We are asking an important question: What is God inviting St Kilian’s Parish to become? The Institute’s theme, “Growing Communities of Mission,” is not merely about learning new ideas; it is about allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts, transform our parish culture, and equip us to become a community that joyfully leads others to Christ.

We warmly invite you to join us in Shepparton. Come not simply to attend a conference, but to be part of a movement. Come to pray, learn, listen, dream, and collaborate with fellow Catholics from across our Diocese. Come expecting that God has something to say to you, and that He desires to use your gifts for the renewal of His Church. The future of St Kilian’s will not be shaped by a few people, but by a community of missionary disciples who are willing to say “yes” to the Holy Spirit. Together, let us build a parish where every person belongs, every gift is awakened, and every missionary disciple becomes a living sign of the Kingdom of God in the here and now.

AN EARTHCARE PARISH?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

June 28, 2026

Imagine a flourishing community garden. Children watering seedlings. Parishioners sharing vegetables after Mass. Native flowers attracting birds and bees. People gathered around a table, grateful for the gifts of the earth. This is one image of what it means to be an Earthcare Parish. At its heart, becoming an Earthcare Parish is a spiritual journey. It is an invitation to deepen our relationship with God, one another, and the earth that has been entrusted to our care. Inspired by Pope Francis' vision in Laudato Si', we recognise that caring for creation is an expression of our faith and a way of living the Gospel today.

This journey is guided by seven goals:

Cry of the Earth
Cry of the Poor
Ecological Economics
Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles
Ecological Education
Ecological Spirituality
Community Involvement

Here at St Kilian's Parish, we are already taking steps along this path through our community garden, hospitality, formation, prayer, and practical care for our common home. These are not simply environmental activities; they are opportunities to encounter God through creation and through one another. I remember when we blessed the pergola, I shared a simple quote: "A beautiful garden is an act of hospitality." Our community garden is truly a work of love, created for people seeking belonging, connection, and friendship. I am deeply grateful to our Community Garden Group and Parish Earthcare Team for their dedication in creating this wonderful space. Through this garden, we have welcomed many people into our parish family: those new to Bendigo, refugees seeking a sense of home, and others carrying the burdens of depression, loss, and grief. In a quiet and gentle way, the garden has become more than a place of growing plants; it has become a place of healing, encounter, and hope.

An Earthcare Parish is not a program for a few people. It is an invitation for the whole parish community. Whether you enjoy gardening, prayer, learning, advocacy, hospitality, or simply spending time in nature, there is a place for you on this journey. Together, we can grow a parish that not only cares for people but also cares for the beautiful world God has given us. "The world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others." - Pope Francis

FAITH & MENTAL HEALTH

June 21, 2026

I have come to know myself more deeply over the years. I know that when I am overwhelmed, nature heals me. Catching the waves, a long walk, being in the community garden, or simply being outdoors helps me find peace again. In my early years here in St Kilian’s, I struggled at times navigating the responsibilities and demands of ministry. There were moments when the waves of challenges felt draining and emptying. I still remember sending a message to Fr Rob once: “Can you come and celebrate the Mass today? I need to go for a hike.” He knew exactly what I meant. He knew that I needed that space and time for mental health.

Many of us know what it feels like to be overwhelmed. We carry pressures from work, family, relationships, study, finances, and sometimes simply the weight of life itself. That is why it was such a gift to have Dr Hyacinta Zavier, a psychiatrist and parishioner, speak at our recent Young Adults Night on the important topic of faith and mental health. One of the practical tools Dr Hyacinta shared was the TIP skill, a simple and evidence-based way to calm an overwhelmed nervous system when stress or anxiety begins to take over:

T – Temperature

Use a cold towel around the face and neck for 5–10 minutes.
Take a cold shower or splash cold water on your face.
The cold sensation helps slow the body’s stress response and brings a sense of calm.

I – Intense Exercise

Go for a short sprint for about 5 minutes.
Use an exercise bike or treadmill for a few minutes.
Intense physical activity helps release built-up stress and nervous energy.

P – Progressive Breathing

Slow your breathing intentionally.
Breathe in deeply for 10 seconds.
Breathe out slowly for 10 seconds.
Gentle, steady breathing signals safety to the nervous system and helps restore balance.

A Simple Bonus Practice

Gently massage your earlobes.
This can help calm a hyper-stimulated nervous system and encourage relaxation.

What struck me most was the reminder that caring for our mental health is not separate from our faith. God has created us as whole persons: body, mind, and spirit. Sometimes prayer is sitting quietly before the Blessed Sacrament. Sometimes prayer is a walk along the beach, a hike through the bush, a conversation with a trusted friend, or seeking professional support when we need it. Faith does not remove all stress and anxiety from our lives, but it reminds us that we do not carry our burdens alone. God’s grace often comes to us through simple practices, wise people, supportive communities, and the gift of learning how to care for ourselves. Thank you, Dr Hyacinta, for sharing your wisdom and reminding us that tending to our mental wellbeing is not a sign of weakness but a way of honouring the life that God has entrusted to us.