About Gaven

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Gaven DeVillier is a high school theology teacher in the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. A “cradle Catholic,” he grew up steeped in the traditions and teachings of the Church. Raised in a community of ministers, Gaven was apprenticed under some of our day’s great spiritual masters. He was schooled in Catholic leadership through programs like the Diocesan Youth Board, the Catholic Leadership Institute (now Catholic Leadership Encounter), the Junior National Youth Leadership Conference, and the National Youth Leadership Training program.

Inspired by his family, friends, and mentors in ministry, Gaven left his forever home of South Louisiana to study Catholicism and its influences on leadership. After earning his B.A. in Political Science and Theology from the University of Notre Dame, he joined the McGrath Institute for Church Life’s Echo program as a Holy Cross Fellow and is concurrently teaching and pursuing an M.A. in Theology.

Gaven is a dynamic speaker, having presented on such varied topics as:

• “Why Confirmation?” – The Mission of the Last Sacrament of Initiation St. Peter’s Catholic Church, La Porte, Indiana
• “Men of God” – Learning to Live in God’s Love Catholic Leadership Encounter, Estes Park, Colorado
• “People with Hope to Bring” – The Call of the Christian Life Knights of Columbus Council 1477, Notre Dame, Indiana
• “The Mission of Catholic Education” – Illuminating the Dark, Stepping into God’s Light University of Notre Dame, Indiana
• “The Cost of Discipleship” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Call to Complete Conversion St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Brusly, Louisiana
• “Imago Dei” – Re-Learning Human Dignity Andrean High School, Merrillville, Indiana

Gaven is deeply passionate about all things beautiful, with a special love of music and art (and a budding love of poetry). He is deeply grateful for his brothers – Ryan and Collin – who support him in every aspect of his life, and his parents – Missy and Bill – whom he credits for modeling the Gospel’s call to joy and hope in Christ.

The Saints who Guide Me

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