Fr. Gervan Menezes, aka Fr. G, is the Diocesan Director of Campus Ministries and the Pastor at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Cookeville, Tennessee. Fr. Gervan is also the Director of Campus Ministry and the Chaplain for University Catholic at Tennesse Tech. He became a Chaplain at University Catholic in 2019 and loves working with and accompanying young adults. Students are drawn to his friendly, outgoing nature, which makes him easy to approach and find that he’s a gentle confessor and a dynamic preacher.
A native of Brazil, Fr. G is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Before becoming a priest, he managed several restaurants and worked in the travel industry and remains a foodie and travel buff.
In addition to his full-time assignment as University Catholic Diocesan Director and Chaplain, Fr. Gervan also serves as the Episcopal Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Spalding. Since his ordination to the priesthood in July 2014, Fr. G has served the Diocese of Nashville as associate pastor of the Cathedral of the Incarnation; associate pastor of Saint Philip Church; chaplain for the Diocese Youth Office; and chaplain for Father Ryan High School.
Fr. Gervan is a Knights of Columbus fourth-degree member. Fr. Gervan joined the Knights in seminary in San Antonio, Texas where he served two terms as the Grand Knight and chaplain. When he came to Nashville after ordination he served as Chaplain and Friar for many councils and assemblies. Fr. G was instrumental in creating the Knights of Columbus College Council for the University of Tennessee in Chatanooga and Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville.
Fr. G attended Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas. He has a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology degree from the Oblate School of Theology and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) from Saint Paul University in Ontario, Canada. Prior to being a priest, he had Bachelor’s degrees in Tourism and Philosophy from Brazil. Fr. Gervan is working on his doctorate in New Evangelization at the Catholic University of America.