posted 11/26/2024
This story is a part of a series of missionary contributions where you’ll hear more about their “why” for defending and celebrating life with Biking for Babies. We interview Joe, a third-year missionary, who served as a rider this summer on the WI Team. Read on!
Give me a quick biography: who is Joe Gagliardi?
JG: I’m a young dad living in the Twin Cities with my lovely wife a two boys (and a third on the way!). I work in Software Development with four of my brothers. I really enjoy board games and board game design, spend most of my spare time playing with these kids, and I get really into volleyball in the fall with my wife while she coaches.
You’ve been with Biking for Babies for a few years! As a self-proclaimed non-cyclist, what initially drew you to Biking for Babies, and what keeps you coming back?
JG: This was my third year! I still don’t consider myself a biker, but have probably ridden a couple thousand miles at this point. It’s not an activity I’d choose to do in my spare time, but I think that’s in the spirit of the mission–missionaries choosing to place themselves in non-ideal situations for the sake of the real and spiritual renewal of the culture. I keep coming back because I can. St. John Paul II’s homily on the Feast of the Assumption 31 years ago, which inspired the initial riders to start Biking for Babies, is all the more relevant today,
“Young pilgrims, Christ needs you to enlighten the world and to show it the “path to life” (Ps 16,11). The challenge is to make the Church’s “yes” to Life concrete and effective. The struggle will be long, and it needs each one of you.”
In addition to the high calling, the community of riders and support crew at Biking for Babies is rich and authentic and loving, and deep and lasting friendships are forged in the fires of adversity.
What qualities or personal missions/charisms within yourself are enhanced or grown because of your formation with Biking for Babies?
JG: Patience and humility, 100%. On the bike, you’re either slowing yourself down or doing your utmost to keep up. To have a cohesive unit, each rider needs to be exercising one of these virtues throughout each day. Immense amounts of gratitude as well, as you’re being attended to all day by the support crew, who do a vital and thankless job. It’s a humbling blessing to see selflessness so prevalent at your own expense.
Your team was super tight this year. What was your favorite memory or experience from formation this year?
JG: Our crew absolutely became a family this year. There were innumerable little jokes and stories of our ride this year, but a few that come to mind are reenacting one of our crashes for the folks at an event [editor’s note: everyone was a-okay!], singing the national anthem while riding up particularly hard hills, jumping into a lake on the last (92 degree) day of the ride, and getting together for breakfast a couple weeks after the ride finished.
You have a beautiful family. How does living your faith with Biking for Babies impact living out your vocation as a husband and father?
JG: Thank you! For one thing, it makes me so grateful for my wife. She goes on mission too while I’m away riding, taking care of our boys alone. Having a shared mission strengthens our relationship. And it helps me be a better father, because it gives me a very tangible way to better the world in which my sons will grow up.
Working dads with young kids typically have full plates. What advice would you give to a dad who might be considering joining Biking for Babies but is struggling to say yes because of the added time it will take?
JG: There’s no doubt it’s a sacrifice, but ‘without sacrifice, there is no love.’ If this mission pulls on your heart, strongly consider diving in. You’ll need to make sure your wife is willing to go on mission with you, because you will have to sacrifice your time to succeed, but there are benefits to sharing a mission as husband and wife. The fruits that come from rendering your will to the Lord for a week are incredible and surprising.
What qualities/characteristics do you think are present in the missionaries that seem to fit well with B4B?
JG: In my experience, Biking for Babies attracts a lot of people with very unique personalities and strengths. The Lord is sure to put your gifts to work. I do think everyone who joins the ministry has a sense of adventure and a desire to do hard things.
Joe’s willingness to sacrifice and use his gifts for the Lord is an inspiration for all missionaries.
That’s why we are proud he’s a Biking for Babies missionary, for life!
You can find similar impact stories throughout our blog.
