Although he grew up in a farming family in Modesto, California, Father David Bava has spent more than four decades of his 50 years as a priest serving in predominantly African American parishes in the city of Washington, D.C. 

Interviewed about his 50^th anniversary, Father Bava – the pastor of Holy Redeemer in Washington since 1995 – said he has learned lessons in persevering in the faith from his Black Catholic parishioners, and has joined them in working with community partners to bring help and hope to people in their neighborhood.