St Paul’s Episcopal Church ordains new Deacon

On Sunday, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church led the ordination of a new deacon, Lilia Mendoza.

Mendoza was born in a small town in Mexico and raised in the Roman Catholic faith.

Her mother began her passion for ministry as Mendoza began to serve in her church congregation.

She would help her priest during mass and organized events for the church.

In 1980, Mendoza moved to the U.S. and found it difficult to adjust because of the language barrier and lifestyle change.

In 1988, she met a woman at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church who helped her learn English while she was working as a janitor at the church.

In 1995, Mendoza became a U.S. citizen and in the years following, she was asked to help start a spanish worship service.

On Ash Wednesday, 2009, 15 people attended the new service.

She then began ministerial studies in San Diego, Los Angeles and Yuma.

Sunday, Mendoza was ordained to become a Deacon for the Church.

During the service, the Bishop and others vested Mendoza and gave her a Bible.

Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori said that Mendoza would be a crucial bridge between the Yuma community and those in Mexico.