Who we are
People
The faces, stories, and commitment of those who build the reality of Attendiamoci every day
A community on a journey, united by faith and service.
Father Valerio Chiovaro
Project Manager
The Project Manager is Father Valerio Chiovaro, a diocesan priest of the Diocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova, who has been a fidei donum priest at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem since September 2022.
Commitments and Activities
Ecclesiastical commitments
- Dal 2022: Fidei donum priest at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
- Dal 15 giugno 2025: Pastoral assistant for priests and lay people on temporary mission in the Patriarchate.
- Head of Casa Kerigma (Jerusalem) for the Latin Patriarchate, the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova, and Attendiamoci.
- Dal 1° gennaio 2025: Responsible for Casa Efeso (Ephesus, Turkey), in agreement with the Diocese of Izmir.
- 2015-2022: Responsible for the University Sector of the School Office of the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova.
- 2011-2022: Protopapa of the parish of Santa Maria della Cattolica dei Greci (Reggio Calabria).
- 2011-2015: Director of the Diocesan Office of Education, Schools, and Universities.
- 2008-2011: Deputy Director of the Office of Education - University Sector.
- 2006-2021: Member of the Presbyteral Council (Secretary 2006-2011; Member of the Executive Committee 2011-2021).
- 2006-2011: Deputy director of the interdiocesan newspaper L'Avvenire di Calabria.
- 2005-2011: Rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Sales (Reggio Calabria).
- 2005-2011: Coordinator of University Pastoral Care of the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova.
- 2001-2005: Parish priest of the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Armo (Reggio Calabria).
- 1997-2000: Vice-parish priest of the church of San Luca Evangelista (Reggio Calabria).
Institutional and associative activities
- Since 2022: Member of the Ministry of Labor working group for guidelines on the inclusion of minors in the National Childhood Plan.
- Since 2020: Spiritual Assistant of Attendiamoci ODV ETS.
- 2019-2022: President of the Catholic Union of the Italian Press - Calabria.
- 2011-2013: Member of the Commission for University Pastoral Care - CEI National Office.
- 2010-2021: Member of the Ethics Committee of the A.O. “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli.”
- May 2010: Trainer of the clergy of the dioceses of Ambatondrazaka and Moramanga (Madagascar).
- 2008-2009: Member of the Commission for the Planning of the Pauline Year - Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-S. Lucia del Mela.
- 2007-2009: Coordinator of “Open Space” - Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria.
- Since 2007: Freelance journalist.
- Since 2005: Founding member of the “Comunità S. Arsenio da Armo” Agricultural Cooperative.
- 2001-2020: President and founding member of Attendiamoci.
- Since 1998: Official guide to the Holy Land.
Education, publications, and awards
Training
- Since 2022: PhD student in Global Studies - University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria (field: anthropological definition of “Consolation”).
- 2003: Licentiate in Biblical Sciences and Archaeology - Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem (thesis: Exegetical reading of some wisdom pericopes according to a relational hermeneutic; supervisor: Fr. Alviero Niccacci OFM; magna cum laude).
- 2002: Master's Degree in Human Resource Management - LIUC University, Castellanza (Corriere della Sera scholarship).
- 2001: Specialization in Chemical and Physical Sciences Applied to Restoration - Central Institute for Restoration, Rome.
- 2001: Doctorate in Biblical Theology - Pontifical Gregorian University (dir. Fr. Maurice Gilbert SJ).
- 2000: Licentiate in Biblical Theology - Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem (thesis: Wisdom, order of relations. Exegetical reading of Wis 8:2-21; Sir 51:13-30; summa cum laude).
- 1997: Degree in Chemistry - University of Messina.
- 1996: Bachelor's Degree in Theology - Pontifical Salesian University, “St. Thomas” section, Messina.
- 1989: Diploma in industrial chemistry.
- 1986: Diploma in complementary piano - “F. Cilea” Conservatory, Reggio Calabria.
Teaching and research activities
- February-June 2025: Visiting Researcher - Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Center for the Study of Christianity.
- April-June 2024: Visiting Research Scholar - New York University, Center for European and Mediterranean Studies.
- 2024: Visiting Fellow - Tantur Ecumenical Institute (University of Notre Dame).
- 2024/2025: Lecturer in Cultural Anthropology - “Mediterranea” University of Reggio Calabria.
- Since 2003/2004: Adjunct Professor of Soft Skills - Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria.
- 2019/2020: Adjunct Professor of Developmental Psychology - Mediterranean University.
- 2011/2012: Lecturer in Interpersonal Skills - “Dante Alighieri” University for Foreigners.
- 2010/2011: Lecturer in Materials Science and Technology - “Mediterranea” University, Faculty of Architecture.
- 2009/2010: Lecturer in Marketing and Geo-Marketing - Mediterranean University.
- 2008/2009: Lecturer in Human Resource Management - University of Calabria.
- 2008/2009: Professor of Old Testament Theology - “S. Maria della Lettera” Institute, Messina.
- 2007-2010: Research fellow in Political Economy and Business Planning - “Mediterranea” University.
- 2006/2007: Lecturer in Human Resource Management - University of Calabria.
- Since 2003: Lecturer in Interpersonal Skills - Mediterranea University.
- 2003-2006: Lecturer in Restoration Chemistry - Mediterranean University, Faculty of Architecture.
- 2003-2022: Lecturer at ISSR “V. Zoccali” (Exegesis and Theology of the Old Testament; Wisdom Books; Judaism).
- 2001-2022: Lecturer at the “Pius XI” Theological Study (Biblical Hebrew; Exegesis of the Wisdom Books; Biblical Theology).
Most recent publications (selection)
- This is the hour of Love. The heart to the Word, the face to the Neighbor, Reggio Calabria: Edizioni Attendiamoci, 2025 (in press).
- Love should not be hypocritical. Educational ideas for the educational community, preface by Angelo Scola, Reggio Calabria: Edizioni Attendiamoci, 2021.
- Where heaven and earth kiss, 2nd edition, preface by Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Reggio Calabria: Edizioni Attendiamoci, 2021.
- Learning along the way. Ideas for a peaceful life, Reggio Calabria: Edizioni Attendiamoci, 2012.
- Where heaven and earth meet, 1st edition, Reggio Calabria: Edizioni Attendiamoci, 2010.
- St. Paul, builder of the Mediterranean, Reggio Calabria: Edizioni Attendiamoci, 2009.
Awards and recognitions
- 2025 - Prometeus Award (Volunteering and Philanthropy Section)
- 2021 - “San Giorgio d'Oro” Award
- 2020 - “Gallico - Tre Quartieri” Award
- 2016 - “Reggio Calabria Day” National Award
- 2012 - “La città del sole” Award - Rotary
- 2011 - “Panuccio” Award for youth engagement
- 2008 - “Ali da spiegare” Award
- 2007 - “Paul Harris Fellow” Award, Rotary Foundation
- 2000 - Anassilaos “Giovani Ricercatori” Award
Our community
Attendiamoci is not just an organization, but an extended family made up of volunteers, young people, families, and supporters who share a journey of growth and faith.
Every person brings their unique contribution, enriching the life of the Kerigma and Efeso houses with their talents and availability.
“No one saves themselves alone. We save ourselves together, walking together.”