A pilgrimage captures the essence of what a Jubilee is meant to be: a journey of conversion, renewal, and encounter with God’s mercy. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to embark on a pilgrimage, near or far, to renew faith, encounter God’s mercy, and carry hope into the world.
So that as many people in our Diocese as possible have an opportunity to go on a pilgrimage, Pope Francis encouraged Bishops to nominate sacred sites in their Diocese as places of pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year.
Archbishop Shane Mackinlay, as the Bishop of Sandhurst, nominated five places in our Diocese as pilgrimage sites: Sacred Heart Cathedral; the Grave of Fr Henry Backhaus; the Grave of Fr George Galen; the Wahgunyah Mass Tree and the St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Indigenous Garden and History Trail. Over this Jubilee Year of Hope, many parish groups have made the pilgrimage to these sites.
In September and October, when the beautiful native flowers were in full bloom, groups from St Kilian’s, Rushworth, Tatura and Kyabram parishes made pilgrimages to the St Mary of the Cross Indigenous Garden and Historical Trail in the grounds of St John the Baptist Church, Numurkah.
Rushworth parishioner, Glenys Avard said she and fellow pilgrims were delighted to learn their parish had some things in common with the Numurkah Parish. “The garden was designed by Rushworth Landscape architect Louise Costa, and the schools at Numurkah (St Joseph’s) and Rushworth (St Mary’s) were both established by the Josephite Sisters,”
said Glenys.
“ The garden is already a picture with the wattles and various native plants in bloom, “ said Glenys. “We were already in awe, then we discovered there is still more to come; a life-sized bronze sculpture of Mary MacKillop with three children will soon be added to the garden.
Kyabram and Tatura journeyed as one group to Numurkah, accompanied by their parish priest Fr Uday Marneni. Embarking on a pilgrimage together was a great way to strengthen the bonds of friendship with parishioners and also between parishes, said Mary Zobec, Pastoral Associate at Kyabram.
“On arrival, we were warmly met by our Numurkah hosts, Bernadette and Trish, who shared the inspiring story of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Josephites with us, before guiding us through the Garden,” said Mary.
After walking the Heritage Trail, the Kyabram and Tatura parishioners, and their Numurkah hosts, recited the Rosary together, which was followed by Mass at St John the Baptist Church celebrated by Fr Uday Marneni. “In his homily, Fr Uday explained the purpose and intention of a pilgrimage,” said Mary Zobec. “He reminded us that a pilgrimage is not just a journey to a place but also a form of prayer, a spiritual journey that brings us closer to God and offers us a time of learning and reflection.”
After Mass pilgrims enjoyed lunch at a hotel in Numurkah where friendship and fellowship amongst the two parishes flourished. “All agreed the pilgrimage was truly spiritual and uplifting,” said Mary. “A day of faith, community and shared journeying.”
Fr Uday agreed: “For us, the pilgrimage was a journey of renewal of our spiritual life and a different experience of Christ,” he said.
All parishes extend their thanks and gratitude to their hosts in Numurkah who have shown warm hospitality to them and to the many other pilgrims who have journeyed to their Church and Parish Grounds over the Jubilee Year.
Image top right: Pilgrims from Kyabram and Tatura parishes enjoyed meeting developing their inter-parish friendship and meeting hosts from Numurkah.
Image bottom right: Pilgrims from Rushworth were delighted to learn that the landscape architect who designed the Garden comes from Rushworth.
For more information about the Sandhurst Pilgrimage sites and resources such as Pilgrimage and Prayer click here.