Great celebration for the inhabitants of Curcuraci who welcomed the new parish priest, Don Gianmarco Restuccia. Calm and mature, welcoming to everyone, the 28-year-old priest, almost a year after his ordination, was called to lead the community named after S. Maria dei Bianchi, custodian of important traditions and eager to continue the journey of faith with new impetus. An ancient bond between the young man and the parish, which dates back to the baptism of Mary, his maternal grandmother, the first done in the church after the rebuilding.
Born in the village of Contesse where his vocation was born and grew, for him the parish has always been synonymous with home, a safe space where he can share with others the privilege of seeking and finding God's smile in the sick, in the fragile, in people sun, in children; he started as a server, then a catechist, animator of the Oratory and chorister. Accompanied by the archbishop who celebrated the rite of canonical admission and by the Santa Maria di Gesù a Ritiro community – of which he was assistant parish priest – who ideally entrusted him to the new family, the young man was welcomed by the faithful of Curcuraci and by the civil authorities local; a joyful presence shared in simplicity with his mother and sister, with the community of Contesses and his brother priests present.
Don Restuccia takes up the baton of Father Giuseppe Gentile, a generational transition which however expresses continuity of a journey of faith, said Mgr. Giovanni Accolla underlining how the parish priest's commitment, beyond worship activities, is to announce the mystery of Christ especially to those far away: “Live among people, meet their smiles, their glances, learn to read even their silence, always walk alongside the little ones not only in terms of age, but with those who live on the margins”, the archbishop told the priest.
Father Gianmarco, who also holds the delicate role of bursar of the seminary, has a rich cultural and spiritual background behind him; among the stages, the diploma in Human Sciences, theological studies at San Tommaso and the degree in Pedagogical Sciences. His pastoral program includes “care for the sick and the elderly, cooperation with young people and families, with the religious Daughters of Divine Zeal and the authorities”: “I learned firsthand how unpredictable God is” said the young man, asking the community to always pray for him and with him”.