María Elena Méndez Ochoa

María Elena Méndez Ochoa

María Elena Méndez Ochoa, from La Joya, Mexico, entered the Congregation of Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit at the age of 19. When she finished her formation she was sent to the United States in 1993 to work in Hispanic ministry at the parish and diocesan level in Florida, Colorado, California, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. Currently, she ministers at Catholic Social Services in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. With a graduate degree in theology and ministry, she is now pursuing a master's degree in integrative studies.

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As she carried gallons of water to the Arizona desert, God spoke to her heart

Sr. Maria E. Mendez Ochoa shares the experience of Sr. Oliva Olivares as she leaves water for migrants crossing the desert through Sásabe, Arizona, the border between Mexico and the U.S. 

The author, shown with her parents, made her perpetual profession in San Fernando, California, on Aug. 3, 1996. (Courtesy of Maria Elena Mendez Ochoa)

A call to religious life marked by immigration between Mexico and the United States

"When I was born in Mexico, my father was already beyond the border," writes María Elena Méndez Ochoa. "The theme of migration resurfaced when I entered religious life." 

La hermana María Elena Méndez Ochoa y hermanas de la delegación de Catholic Extension en Roma junto a la hermana Raffaella Petrini (Foto: cortesía María E. Méndez O.)

Synodality is impossible without women's voices and vote

Sr. María Elena Méndez Ochoa reflects on humble leadership, women's participation and the importance of working collaboratively to transform death into full life during the Synod of Bishops.

Resiliencia. (Foto: Pixabay)

Resilience and hope: Four years after the raid on immigrants in Mississippi

Through the story of young Magdalena Gomez Gregorio and her family — witnesses to adversity and unexpected support during the August 2019 immigrant raid at food processing plants in Morton, Mississippi — Sr. María Elena Méndez reveals in her column for GSR an inspiring story of how courage can transform pain into a beacon of hope and unity.

Sr. María Elena Méndez Ochoa of the Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit greets Pope Francis in Rome in a private audience for a group of Latin American sisters and a Catholic Extension team April 26. (Courtesy of María Elena Méndez Ochoa from the printed photo taken by the Vatican)

A handshake with Pope Francis and a few words transformed my life

The Latin American sisters' encounter with Pope Francis transformed my life, just as the encounter with Jesus did for Peter, James and John on Mount Tabor on the day of the Lord's transfiguration.

Sr. Rosa Cruz of the Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit gives the sign of peace to Leslie Bocanegra, a young woman invited to attend the Mass to celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life at St. Paul's Cathedral in Birmingham, Alabama. (Courtesy of Maria Elena Méndez Ochoa)

3 elderly women in the Bible show us how religious life remains fruitful

Sometimes, in religious life, we feel discouragement, fear, and insecurity about the future. But Sarah, Elizabeth and the prophetess Anna, old women with barren "wombs," are signs of hope for religious life today, centuries later.

A paper angel is pictured with a description of the child and his or her wants and needs. Someone bought the gift, and volunteers prepare to give it to a family at Catholic Social Services in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Courtesy of Sr. María Elena Méndez)

Gifts of generosity and love, like those of the Magi, transform families' lives

The sisters of my community and I set the stage in early December to imitate the shepherds and wise men. We set out to bring joy to children of low-income families in the communities we serve in Alabama.