Gustavo G.V.

Hello, I’m Gustavo! I was born in El Salvador, and I have been living in the Calgary area for the past 13 years. I currently live in Okotoks and I am in my second year at the University of Calgary studying Mechanical Engineering, specializing in aerospace. It’s a blessing to have the mountains in my backyard as I am always ready for an adventure, whether its a hike, backpacking trip or a road trip.

I grew up in a Catholic household but did not know Jesus until I went on a a service mission trip to Costa Rica during my senior year of high school. There, Jesus encountered me and I was able to experience His profound love for me for the first time. As I was entering my first year of university, I was seeking out a community that would help me grow deeper in my new found faith and that was when I met CCO. Since then, I have made great friends who alongside Jesus, help me get through engineering school! Ever since the winter semester of 2025 I have had the opportunity to spread the reach of CCO to our campus through leading a faith study and serving on our wonderful student executive team this past school year which has filled my life with joy and fruit. Additionally, in this past year Jesus called me to use the skills CCO has equipped me with to engage the youth in my home parish and other youth ministries, prompting them to live vibrant lives with Him at the center.

Why do I want to be on Mission?

In March of 2025 I got the opportunity to be a part of one of many CCO parish missions in the Diocese of Calgary, in which I was able to see how people from all ages desired to enrich their faith. Jesus set my heart on fire through seeing the many lives radically changed that weekend and sparked the desire for me to go, wherever I was called to accompany people into personal relationship with Jesus and to help them share the great gift they’ve received. This is precisely why I felt drawn to mission in Cork, Ireland, as it is rooted in the desire for the diocese to rediscover its missionary identity. I believe that Jesus often encounters us in unexpected conversations that invite us to reflect on his love. This is how I desire to make myself a vessel for the Lord while meeting and building up the many young adults, youth, and parishioners of Cork