Meet Maria Gaviria! RC Member of the Month

“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).
 
Have you ever met a person that exemplifies this verse in Matthew’s Gospel?
Meet Maria Gaviria!
 
From Bogota, Colombia, she comes from a large family with strong Catholic roots. Her parents and grandparents were a big part of her faith growing up. Serving and volunteering was the norm for her growing up: taking care of the poor, accompanying the sick, visiting the imprisoned, among other acts of charity. And she was particularly influenced by the writings of St. John Paul II.
 
In fact, she recently did a great service to many young people, the Movement, and the Church. She organized the Holy Week Mercy Missions in 2016, where many young volunteer missionaries visited and fed the homeless, invited people back to the Church, evangelized the streets, and just sharing sheer joy. She's actually at it again, organizing a health care service day for underprivileged families in the local diocese of Cincinnati. 
 
She has always sought to transmit this spirit to her children, Natasha and Philip, who will tell you that “when Mom volunteers, we all volunteer!” They’ve understood that serving isn't just a nice thing to do, but it’s at the core of the Christian vocation. Indeed, Maria doesn’t limit her service to after work hours. She has always taken this spirit to her work, making a difference in the lives of the people at Procter & Gamble as well.
 
Now she is obtaining a Master’s Degree in Lay Pastoral Ministry. A verse from Paul’s letter to the Colossians inspired her: “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (Co 2:7). Her dream is to have the freedom to be at the full service of souls in Regnum Christi and the Church.
 
So this month we honor a woman that has dedicated so much of her time and talents to the mission of Regnum Christi and the Church. She is a living example of the first women disciples of Christ, who followed him everywhere and ministered to his needs and those of the disciples.
 
Maria, thank you for your example of service and generosity. May God continue to inspire and guide you as you continue your pilgrim journey on earth. On behalf of the entire Regnum Christi Movement in the Ohio Valley, thank you, and God bless you!