"Moribund basically means dying. He actually told me in that letter, he did not want
to be part of St. Kilian's because it's dying."
Father Junray Rayna | Sept.4, 2025
Not long ago, I received a letter from a parishioner that pierced me deeply. He wrote bluntly: “I don’t want to be part of a moribund parish.” I never heard of the word moribund, so I did not initially bother. Then later on, I deeply reflected on the word. Moribund basically means dying. He actually told me in that letter, he did not want to be part of St Kilian’s because it’s dying.
The word hit me hard. It echoed something very real too, that I felt very incompetent to the role that I am called to serve. I was very low, drained, pastorally disheartened — and nearly at the point of despair.
I did a lot of walking and praying.
"Through Divine Renovation, I found not just tools but a renewed heart for mission."
But grace of God has a way of finding us at our lowest.
Through Divine Renovation, I found not just tools but a renewed heart for mission. I started with a kickstart program, that lead me to a series of conversations with priests in different ages who are in similar struggle. I find the conversation with them was a healing process. Having deepen into our conversations, we share our brokenness and eventually ideas. I always love the words of Rumi: “Don’t get lost in your pain, know that one day your pain will become your cure.” In our shared pain; it has become the source of our hope too. Slowly, we shifted from a maintenance mentality to a bold radical vision of radical hospitality.
Today, I would say that our beloved St Kilian’s Parish has become a magnet in the heart of Bendigo: a magnet where all have trying to become missionary disciples in our community. We gather, we celebrate, we proclaim and we serve!
We now have a community garden where strangers become friends over soil and seedlings. A parish café welcomes newcomers and regulars alike into conversation and connection. Our hospitality teams serve not just food, but warmth and welcome. Children lift their voices in a children’s choir, and I’m often overwhelmed with joy seeing 10 to 20 altar servers assisting joyfully at the Sunday Mass.
Our youth Masses, young adult musicians, and intercultural community are signs of a parish alive. We gather for formation, running Alpha, Faith on Tap, Couples for Christ and spirituality series that deepen our love for Christ and one another. There’s even something as simple yet profound as our parishioners’ lunches — where faith is shared one plate at a time.
Now, when you walk into our church on a Sunday 10am Mass, the pews are full. There’s laughter in the church grounds and garden. Prayer is alive. And the Spirit is moving.
We have become — by God’s grace — a parish that went from moribund to magnetic: where many hearts are drawn to this community at the heart of Bendigo.
For the greater glory of God
Fr Junray Rayna
Administrator, St Kilian’s Parish, Bendigo.
“~ Written after a surf!”
