Catholic Diocese of Broome

My name is Fr Eugenio Zurias and I am originally from Venezuela. When I was asked to write something about myself for the Kimberley Profile on the occasion of the Year of the Priest, I had some hesitation as I do not like speaking about myself in a public forum like this. However, I realized that this is an opportunity “to proclaim the greatness of the Lord”.

In trying to recall the first signs of my vocation to the priesthood, I allow myself to be taken back in time by a great many memories. I still remember when during the course of Year 7, the then School Principal, a Dominican priest, approached me and said, ‘Congratulations on your marks. You will be a good priest…’ Anyone can guess my reaction. I thought he was going mad. I grew up in a family who did not attend church very often. We would go to Christmas Mass and then during Holy Week and very few Sundays. As a matter of fact, I was baptized when I was eight years old.

One day my Dominican friend told me that once I became fifteen he would invite me to “something which will help you a lot”. Although on the outside I seemed to be a happy normal boy, there were some very profound sufferings for which I had no explanation and of which I had not spoken to anyone. These even made me doubt the love of God and his presence in my life. The important thing for me was to try to show that everything was fine and to try to forget whatever caused pain.

Some years later, my priest-friend gave me an invitation. It ran something like this: “We invite you to come and listen to a Good News which will transform your life”. I remember laughing about this; nevertheless, I attended the talk that same evening. A team of catechists from the Neocatechumenal Way were there to establish this same experience in our Parish. I do not remember everything that was said, but I do remember going home that night very happy. Something that was said set me in motion.

It was within my Neocatechumenal Community that my vocation became clear and grew to maturity. Firstly, I noticed that the Word of God was something alive and active in my own life. Secondly, the Eucharist gradually became a rather joyful and important part of my life. There was also the novelty of having “brothers and sisters”, a Christian Community of people who, like me, needed an encounter with Christ. Today I must thank them a lot. They encouraged me not to be afraid to listen to God’s call and supported me financially, especially with the travel expenses. Initially my parents did not understand this idea of the priesthood. For quite a long time I intended to pursue medical studies, and now there was talk of becoming a Presbyter.

It is the tradition of the Neocatechumenal Way to hold a meeting in Italy of men who feel God’s call to become Presbyters. I was chosen by the team of catechists in Venezuela to attend this gathering. It was there that at random I was sent to Perth. What a surprise! I could not have been sent further. My first words were, “I accept!… What’s the lingo there?” The only thing I knew about this “other” country was that there were Aboriginal people.

Coming to Australia was both an adventure and a time for growing up. The years in the Seminary were very good. We call this ‘time of formation’. What became clear to me as years went by is that the Church is truly a Mother. As soon as I arrived in Perth I joined a Neocatechumenal Community where I could continue my Christian formation. These new “brothers and sisters” welcomed me very generously.
The Seminary Formation Team constantly helped me in the discerning process. They corrected me when there was a need to do so and lifted me up when, because of my weakness, I was down. Today I thank God for them.

I was ordained a Deacon on ANZAC Day and a Presbyter on 9 December 2000, during the Year of the Great Jubilee. That same year we visited the Holy Land together with John Paul II who told us, “Jesus does not stand by and leave you alone to face the challenge. He is always with you to transform your weakness into strength. Trust him when he says: “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This has been my experience in these nine years of being a presbyter.

I was first assistant to Fr Bruce Jones RIP, in East Fremantle. Then Archbishop Hickey, trusting in God, appointed me Priest in Charge of Corpus Christi Parish, Mosman Park. After a year there, he transferred me to the Diocese of Darwin to be of service to Bishop Ted Collins msc who first appointed me Assistant Priest and then Parish Priest of Humpty Doo. In 2007, after a request from Bishop Saunders, I came to the Kimberley to evangelise as an itinerant priest with a team of young people from the Neocatechumenal Way. But God, who truly is in charge of everything, brought me to Balgo as Administrator. I would like to continue, but I have to keep this short and my Balgo experience would be a separate book.
I would like to finish by saying to God and to everyone whom I have met over the years, Thank you! Peace be with you!