The prophetic words of his doctor when he was seven years old recently came to fruition for new Bunbury-based priest Father Geronimo Dalipe, who was ordained to the priesthood at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Quezon City, Manila on 22 August.
The newly ordained Fr Gerome told the eRecord that the occasion was the culmination of a lifelong desire and he was now looking forward to fulfilling his responsibilities as a priest in the diocese of Bunbury.
“There were many attendees during my ordination,” he shared. “Around 300 people were present, which included family, relatives, priests, seminarians, friends and parishioners from different places who have been a part of this special moment in my life.”
The gentle-natured priest has decided he would like to be known as Fr Gerome, in honour of the fourth century Doctor of the Church, St Jerome.
“Bearing that name is such an honour for me,” he said. “I just hope and pray that I would be worthy enough and, like St Jerome, would have an outstanding devotion and the virtue to be a servant of God.”
In his homily for the occasion, Bunbury Bishop Gerard Holohan, who flew to the Philippines to ordain Fr Gerome, began by welcoming him as a brother and congratulated him on arriving at the final destination of discovery of God’s call for his life.
“Today, you have been called formally and finally by the Lord,” he said “Through a range of highs and lows, hopes and disappointments, the Lord has been shaping you for the mission He is giving you.”
Bishop Holohan acknowledged the difficulties Fr Gerome had and would continue to encounter within an increasingly secular Australian culture but assured him that the calling to the priesthood was primarily the call to be a companion of Christ and that Jesus would always be by his side, in his joys, disappointments, successes and failures.
Recounting the scriptural passage of Peter’s endeavour to walk on water, Bishop Holohan reminded Fr Gerome that his focus must always be on Christ, especially when the storms of life were raging around him, but also assured him that he would never be abandoned.
“When his (Peter’s) faith weakened, Jesus reached out, took Peter’s hand and helped him walk again on the water,” the Bishop shared. “Remember that, in times of trial of your faith, Jesus will take your hand also. So long as your focus is upon Jesus Himself, you will walk on water.”
Fr Gerome’s connection with Australia began in 2013 when he responded to an invitation from Bishop Holohan to complete his priestly training at St Charles’ Seminary in Guilford.
He finished this in February this year and was placed with Fr Nic Lim in Busselton until his return to the Philippines for his ordination. The cycle has been the fulfilment of a long-held yearning, but one he never anticipated would incorporate such a challenging geographical and cultural journey.
Fr Gerome fondly recalled the moment his childhood doctor asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.
He said all he could do was respond with a nervous smile.
“Ah, you will become a priest,” the doctor then announced, “because that is what I sense in you.”
Nine years after this encounter, Fr Gerome made his first practical steps toward the priesthood when he began studies in the Philippines and eventually completed degrees in Philosophy and Sacred Theology and then a Masters in Theology before accepting his invitation to Western Australia.
His journey has taken him on an emotional roller coaster as he adjusted, firstly to life in the seminary in the Philippines, and then trying to bridge the cultural divide he found on the more secularised shores of Australia.
Despite such ordeals, however, he never wavered in his desire to fulfil God’s call in his life and, despite the diverse lifestyle he encountered since arriving in WA, his enthusiasm and desire to share this joy have never waned.
“Indeed, God has worked wonders in my life,” he proclaimed.
“Never in my thoughts would I have imagined that He would bring me to the other side of the world to bring His Good News to others.”
Born the seventh of 10 children to faith-nurturing parents – his father a farmer and his mother a doctor’s assistant – Fr Gerome soon became aware of how his family had been able to cope with the busyness of life.
“How my parents managed to raise us all was a miracle,” he declared. “Everything, I believe, is by God’s providence.”
Fr Gerome attributes his mother with nurturing his priestly aspirations and still sees her as a model of faith.
He described how she would wake very early each morning to attend Mass before starting work at the clinic, while his father prepared the children for school.
In the evening, he said, they would gather together as a family to eat and then pray the Rosary.
“Through the example and nurturing of my family, I became aware of my desire to become a priest,” he shared.
Fr Gerome’s time in Busselton has provided him with a glimpse of parish life through roles such as proclaiming the Word, baptisms and visiting the sick – a lifestyle which he says he has embraced enthusiastically.
“I found the Busselton parish to be awesome and the people are wonderful,” he said.
“I know my time there has created special memories in my heart and I know God will use it to help me influence lives and save souls.”
Fr Gerome attributes his positive transition to the Australian way of life to those he has encountered on the way, acknowledging the many Australian and Filipino friends who have made him welcome.
He is particularly grateful for the warm reception he received at St Charles’ Seminary, led by Rector Monsignor Kevin Long, as well as the parishes in Perth where he completed his pastoral placements.
He also emphasised the “fatherly care” of Frs John Jegorow and Chien Nguyen, and the priests and parishioners of Bunbury.
Despite such support, however, the cultural adaptation has not always been smooth and the contrast to the Philippines, where over 80 per cent of the population profess to be Catholic, has, at times, been a difficult reality to experience.
“My heart almost melts at the lack of Christian faith that continues to unfold before me,” he lamented.
However, the optimism of Bunbury’s newest priest will ensure that, despite the many challenges and trials he understands are aimed at the Church today, his unwavering faith will always be the fuel driving any future ministry.
He said his desire is to help all those he encounters, whether they are believers or not, to open their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ, so that they will be drawn closer to God.
“I know that it will never be a walk in the park but, by God’s grace and intercession, these things would be made possible,” he pronounced.
“I am deeply convinced that God has a plan for each one of us and I know that His love will always win.”
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