Fr Zvonimir Gavranovic from St Nicholas of Myra Parish in Penrith this month celebrated 50 years as a Special Religious Education (SRE) Catechist in public schools.
He received a medal in recognition of his service at a special Mass celebrated by Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta.
Fr Zvonimir has been a priest for 52 years. He is also a fulltime Catholic chaplain at Nepean Hospital.
His first parish was St Margaret Mary’s in Merrylands in 1973, where he was “very involved” in state school teaching.
“From then on, I regularly tried to attend or visit the state schools when they had scripture classes,” he said.
Fr Zvonimir is a living example of the impact scripture classes can have on fostering a young person’s relationship with God, having attended public school himself.
“I remember when I was in Austral Public School (near Liverpool), sometimes months and years would go by, we would not have scripture classes,” he said.
Fr Zvonimir Gavranovic (left) and Fr Robert Rielding (right), Vicar for Education and Dean and Administrator of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Where it all began
Fr Zvonimir said his first scripture teacher in 1953 was Fr Kevin McGovern.
At that time, Fr Kevin was an assistant priest in St Marys.
“Not only did he teach scripture in Austral Public school but he celebrated the first Mass at Austral hall, I think it was the Christmas of 1953.
“Mass was celebrated every Sunday since then in Austral hall right until Austral had its own church built in I think 1962,” he said.
In 1957, Fr Edward Clancy (who became Cardinal Clancy) came to teach at the school from Year 3 to Year 6.
“What he did teach us was the Apostles Creed, so that when I went to high school, I was able to say the Apostles Creed,” Fr Zvonimir said.
“I reminded him of this years later, and he was delighted to know that someone he was teaching in Austral Public School was studying to be a priest.”
When Fr Zvonimir entered high school, his passion for scripture continued thanks to a priest called Fr F. X. Roberts.
Each Friday after school, Fr Roberts would teach a class of state high school students in one of the classrooms of Patrician Brothers Liverpool. Students would come not only from Liverpool Boys High school but also from Hurlstone Agricultural Collage.
Attending those classes and observing Fr Roberts gave Fr Zvonimir an insight into the priesthood.
“I saw that faith played a big part in developing a person as a human being,” he said.
“I owe a lot to Fr Roberts as well as Fr Kevin McGovern.”
Fr Zvonimir during the Mass. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
The challenges faced by scripture teaches
Fr Zvonimir admits it can be challenging teaching scripture, and one of the biggest challenges is the time constraints for scripture class teaching.
“By rights, we should be given an hour scripture each week,” he said.
“When I was in Luddenham Warragamba Parish, we were given 45 minutes, whereas generally, scripture classes are half an hour long.”
“That half an hour, for a lot of the children, will be the only religious lesson that those children will have.”
The seeds we plant through scripture
Fr Zvonimir made it his mission to use the time wisely and expose students to the beauty and grace of prayer.
“I saw it as important to begin classes with one Our Father and three Hail Marys … so the children can hear and know those prayers,” he said.
He encourages all SRE Catechists to continue their ministry.
“We don’t know the seeds that we are planting,” he said.
“If, for example, our teaching encourages those children, when they become adults, to show extra care to someone who is sick, or provide food for someone who is hungry …our work was well worthwhile.”
Fr Zvonimir with a fellow SRE Catechist. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Scripture teaching
Fr Zvonimir has enjoyed teaching students over the past 50 years.
“My last class was at a Stanhope Gardens school, where I had a year 6 class.
“When I wasn’t teaching classes, I’d also visit the classes just for a minute or so to say hello to the pupils, and in that way, give the catechist teachers encouragement.”
“Also, I saw it as important in the state schools that as Easter was approaching and as Christmas was approaching, they would have a combined service with the other Christian churches.
“And I always asked that at that service, could they also include The Lord’s Prayer.
“That’s the common prayer for Christians. And in that way, goodwill and cooperation develops amongst the churches.”
