St Kilian’s Young Adult Nights series kicked off with a “Tapas and Theology Night” at the parish café on 14 May. Facilitated by Parish Priest, Fr Junray Rayna, the series aims to help young Catholics, and those interested in exploring the Catholic faith, to gather with like-minded young adults and heed the words of Pope Leo XIV “to seek truth, goodness and communion that arise from encountering God and one’s neighbour.”
The Young Adult Nights (for those over 18), held fortnightly from May to August, include a “Philosophy and Wine Night”, “Faith and Mental Health Night”, “Creative Writing Night”, “Bonfire and Big Questions Night”, “Trivia Night”, “Saints and Stories Night” and “Camino, Tapas and Paella Night”.
As Fr Junray draws from the words of Pope Leo in his promotional flyer, “True participation in the Church, begins not with ideology but with closeness to the Heart of Jesus. In prayer, in the Sacraments and in daily life, we slowly learn to feel as Jesus feels, such as concern for the suffering of others and moved to share in his Mission.”
In his message for World Youth Day 2025, Pope Leo XIV reminded young people that Jesus chose to call his disciples “friends” and that by being witness to Jesus, we become His friend. “Drawing closer to others makes you become an image of what God is for you. Just as He brings hope into your life, so you can share it with others. You will then find yourselves together, seeking communion and fraternity.”
On 10 January, Pope Leo also advised the youth of Rome to choose real relationships over digital isolation: “It’s very important that we try to build human relationships, good friendships, and above all, friendship with Jesus,” he said. “Seeking truth, goodness and communion that arise from encountering God and one’s neighbour.”
We know, as Pope Leo reminds us, that a living faith must be embodied and shared in real relationships, in community and in the life of the Church. But how does a young Catholic in secular Australia navigate their way to heeding these words? As Australia has become more secular, many young Catholics have become more socially isolated; it is not uncommon for a young person to be the only practising Catholic in their social circles.
According to the Australian Catholic University, young Catholics seek genuine friendships in emotionally safe communities where they can nurture faith without judgement, yet often find these spaces difficult to access. The National Centre for Pastoral Research (NCPR) identifies a perceived lack of genuine community as a significant barrier to deeper participation in parish life. Many parishes still function primarily as sacramental centres rather than relational communities, where young people may attend Mass but struggle to build meaningful friendships afterwards.
Online discussions among young Catholics repeatedly describe “surface level” interactions, feeling invisible in parish groups, older parish demographics, and a desire to know where other practising young Catholics are.
Through the St Kilian’s Young Adult Nights, Fr Junray and his friends aim to build a community of belonging where young adults can grow in faith. “This is the spirit of synodality,” he writes, “walking together, listening to the Holy Spirit, and learning to carry one another’s hopes and burdens. Young people are called not only to speak for themselves but also to give voice to the poor, the lonely and those on the margins whose cries are often unheard.
For a mature heart is one that no longer lives only for itself but carries the world with Christ.”
pdf Download the Flyer(2.13 MB) for dates, times and more information.
