BBN / AUGUST 2020
VOCATIONS
The road to priesthood Three of our seminarians are in their final stages of formation. As they head towards their diaconate ordination, Roger Delmonte, Sam French and Aldrin Valdehueza reflect on their formation to priesthood. Roger Delmonte Since I was eight years old, I thought of priesthood as a very special and heroic kind of living one’s life. I grew up witnessing Fr Ferrucio Leoni SJ, our late Jesuit missionary parish priest from Italy who built our parish church and school many years back in my home province, south of the Philippines. His great love for the poor and Indigenous people, value for education, dedication to prayer, sacraments, Catholic faith formation of his parishioners, his simplicity, poverty, celibacy and so on was truly extraordinary and inspiring. Knowing him well and altar-serving him in his Masses for years, initially led me to appreciate who Catholic priests are and what works and ministries they do. I was always inspired by him and wanted to do at least some of the things he has done as well. I truly felt God was calling me to know, love, follow, and serve God more and his people through him. My parents and elder brother were also very supportive of all the things I did in the Parish, as they were closely working with Fr Leoni as Catechists, Pastoral Council president, and Youth Minister. Serving in the Church indeed, was always part of our life as a family. Hence, joining the seminary after High School was not really a surprise to my family, albeit with a little shock to my mother. Two years later, my mother became more encouraging and supportive of my decision to become a priest.
Roger Delmonte
After many years of studies, discernment and preparation to become a priest, I am now finally with excitement awaiting my Diaconate Ordination for the beautiful Diocese of Broken Bay. For me, the best part of the final stage of the preparation is the parish placement I am very privileged to be given at Hornsby Cathedral Parish. It is where I am given a variety of opportunities and experiences not only to learn hands-on from what a parish priest and his assistants are doing in the Parish, but also to discover my own abilities, gifts and skills as a priest-in-the-making. It is not only dynamic and full of learning, but is certainly fulfilling and vocation confirming. As I continue to respond joyfully with God’s call to the priesthood, I am always inspired by Christ’s words in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” More and more,
I come to realise that my sole desire to love Him and offer my life as a priest after His own heart, is actually flowing constantly from His first desire to love me and offer His life for His people through me. Deep in my heart and soul I believe that God has prepared me well for a life and mission in the Church of Broken Bay. Since the first day I arrived in the Diocese, I immediately felt at home, adjusted and easily connected with everyone. Up until the present, I am constantly and truly feeling God’s peace, joy, welcome and encouragement from everyone I meet. I never felt lonely, different, unwelcome or irrelevant. In fact, I always felt incredibly welcomed and generously supported. With all these amazing experiences, I look forward to giving my whole life for the Diocese of Broken Bay as an 7/
