A YOUNG Filipino priest has made a huge impact in just 18 months as the parish priest for the district’s Catholic Church community.
Not only has Fr Eugene dela Corte endeared himself to the faithful through his own example, his weekly homilies has usually included “a funny little story”, always with a punchline!
Fr Eugene, 33, was parish priest at Cohuna, Kerang and Pyramid Hill after seminary training in Australia and a stint as assistant priest at Wangaratta.
He is returning to the Philippines to take up a position as resident priest at Sebu Doctors’ Hospital, which serves a very poor population.
Fr Eugene was thanked during a community farewell luncheon at Kerang for his spiritual leadership and he will also be the guest at similar functions at Cohuna and Pyramid Hill.
Parish council secretary, Christine O’Donoghue said that Fr Eugene was reverend, respectful and humble, with a dose of humour, and had sacrificed a lot to remain in Australia for nine years.
“We will really miss you,” she told him.
Parish finance committee chairman, Dennis Greenwood said that Fr Eugene would be returning to his home country to a challenging role on an island populated by 3.5 million people, many of them economically poor, on an island spanning just 220 kilometres by 25 kilometres.
St Vincent de Paul representative, Catherine O’Toole said that Fr Eugene had been a generous supporter and St Joseph’s Primary School principal, Nick Hall said that he had been a great example to the children through his messages, his music, his humour and his humility.
Fr Eugene expressed gratitude to a caring, loving community for embracing him.
“Love in the present. The best love is continuing to provide service to the parish and the community,” he said.
“I trust in the future that God will shape my plans as I surrender my life to God and I thank you for my journey shared with you.”
Fr Jun Jun Amaya has been appointed as the parish priest of the neighbouring parishes.
