Eleven years ago, Fr Giovani never thought his work would take him from the conflict in Colombia to a growing area of Western Sydney.
After serving several parishes, Fr Giovani was installed as the third-ever Parish Priest at St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish on 18 February 2024, working alongside Assistant Priest Fr Adam Carlow and Sacramental Coordinator Sandra De Nardi.
“It’s a very welcoming community,” Fr Giovani says.
But his journey has had unexpected twists along the way.
From priesthood to peacemaker
Fr Giovani grew up and studied in the Colombian town of Urrao, located in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Antioquia. He made the decision to become a priest at 17 years old and was ordained in Colombia before being appointed assistant priest. He also led the youth ministry in his archdiocese.
“I belong to a very Catholic family and I was influenced by my grandmother. She was a very religious woman and I was very close to her,” he said.
After returning to Colombia from Italy, where he spent three years studying theology, Fr Giovani witnessed an increase of local violence and social problems caused by the conflict between various armed groups.
The local bishop asked Fr Giovani to lead the ‘pastoral social’, an initiative to support those in need and those more affected by the conflict in the region.
“I was in charge of developing different projects to support people who were displaced, and I became a mediator in the conflict,” he said.
Fr Giovani Presiga Gaviria, parish priest of St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish, Kenthurst. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
For nine years, Fr Giovani worked in favour of vulnerable communities thanks to the support of international aid and human rights agencies such as the International Red Cross among others.
He dealt with people who had been kidnapped, released and acted as a peacemaker towards those involved in local conflicts.
“I received training from the international agency and spent one month in Berlin with people from different countries. This was to learn how to deal with the situation and support a new culture of peace in our communities.”
Despite the challenges, Fr Giovani recalls this work as a ministry of faith.
“We were doing the work on behalf of the Church, so it was based on the Gospel,” he said.
“Jesus Christ was always in favour of the poor people and those more in need.”
A new parish Church
Ever the peacemaker, Fr Giovani continues to lead a faith-filled community in Kenthurst.
With Catholics making up more than 31 per cent* of the suburb’s religious affiliations, Fr Giovani says the Kenthurst community has “a deep sense of belonging” to the local parish.
“It’s a nice community really – very supportive to the parish and we have a lot of volunteers,” he said.
He credits the strong sense of community to the parish’s newly built church, which opened in November 2019. Prior to this, the community had worshipped in the Parish Worship Centre for 32 years.
Fr Giovani Presiga Gaviria (second right) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv (third
left), Fr Adam Carlow (fifth right) and representatives from the local schools at his Installation Mass as parish priest of St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish, Kenthurst, in February 2024. Image: Mary Brazell/
Diocese of Parramatta.
“The people were involved in the building of the church,” he said.
The church’s innovative design includes a central gathering space, resembling a ‘piazza’, where parishioners often share meals, tea and stories after Mass.
“It is wonderful to see families sharing food from their countries.”
Engaging a growing local youth population
The Hills Shire is a fast-growing area of Sydney, and Fr Giovani has observed new families joining the parish from nearby suburbs such as Box Hill.
Local primary and secondary schools, including Marian Catholic College at Kenthurst, have been a drawcard for families to the parish.
“The parish has a good connection with the schools, with all the activities, celebrations and sacraments,” Fr Giovani said.
With more young families joining Mass and parish celebrations, Fr Giovani is keen to proactively engage this growing demographic and support their spiritual growth.
“We want to have a youth choir, or a youth group. That’s one of the plans to put into practice very soon.”
Fr Giovani Presiga Gaviria blesses students from the local primary school at his Installation Mass as parish priest of St Madeleine Sophie Barat Parish, Kenthurst, in February 2024. Image: Mary Brazell/
Diocese of Parramatta.
Reflections on the Diocesan Plan
The local community has been instrumental in shaping the Diocese of Parramatta’s new Pastoral Plan, particularly with respect to youth engagement.
“For our parish, the question is how to involve new families that come into the church,” he said.
A further challenge to be addressed is the drop-off in Mass attendance by high school families and youth.
“We need to work together across parishes to define strategies on how to reach these families,” he said.
“Maybe we can refresh our parishes, because I think we share the same situation in other parishes in this Diocese.”
Fr Giovani also says prayer remains key to spiritual connection and renewal.
“The Holy Spirit is always available for us,” he said. “The best prayer we can say is the prayer that comes from our hearts.”
* Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021.
This article was originally published in the 2024 Season of Creation | Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
