By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Editor’s Note: Over the past few months, we conducted interviews with the newly ordained permanent deacons shortly before or shortly after the Aug. 8 ordination. Over the next few months, we will publish stories in The Message in the order the interviews were conducted. We will also post video from our interviews on our Facebook and YouTube pages.
Deacon Pedro Mendez, who previously attended seminary in Oklahoma, believes his priestly formation in seminary was “part of the permanent diaconate calling.”
Deacon Mendez, who is originally from Honduras, is one of 16 men who were ordained to the permanent diaconate Aug. 8 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Deacon Mendez said he grew up as a Catholic in western Honduras.
Deacon Mendez said he came to the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a seminarian for the priesthood in that diocese.
“After pausing my priestly formation, I started dating the woman that now is my wife,” Deacon Mendez said. “My wife is from Evansville. So as things got serious, as we started dating and then being engaged and then having plans for our wedding, I moved to Evansville.”
Deacon Mendez, who is assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Jasper, currently serves as the Executive Director of Mission Integration for Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper.
He said in his case, having priestly formation “is so foundational.”
“When we put that holistic perspective in a permanent diaconate formation, it’s just amazing,” Deacon Mendez said. “Everything comes together in one place. I have learned to see the church in a more holistic way. And therefore to be prepared to see the needs of the people. To have the spirit of discernment, to have that interior attitude for the mission.”
Deacon Mendez said when he decided to pause his priestly formation, there was no doubt in his heart that permanent diaconate was something he felt attracted to. He said the calling to the permanent diaconate started growing in his heart and his wife’s heart, a calling, Deacon Mendez said, that has now been confirmed by the bishop.
Even though the permanent diaconate was something Deacon Mendez felt strongly attracted to, he stressed discernment is always important.
“Discernment is to see as God sees and feel as God feels,” Deacon Mendez said. “To have a sense and insight of God’s will in our hearts and our minds. Of course, there had been doubt, most especially because I have little kids and my primary vocation is to be a husband, to be a father and to be a servant in the church, and in that order.”
Deacon Mendez said what helps discernment is to have the interior attitude right. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the rosary and how God works in sacred scripture are all important, he said. Deacon Mendez said as he prayed, contemplated God’s gifts in him and his family and as he contemplated sacred scripture, “God’s providence for me and my family was made clear.”
In a July 6 interview leading up to the permanent diaconate ordination, Deacon Mendez said he was looking forward to baptizing people, to be a bridge by which God’s grace makes people children of God. He was also looking forward to being a witness of matrimony and to serve at the altar. He feels a special connection with the altar, to assist the priest and proclaim and preach the gospel. Deacon Mendez said he is also looking forward to serving the poor, especially those marginalized by society.
Deacon Mendez said he sees himself as a bridge between the English and Spanish speaking communities, a bridge in which they can find a home.
“I am here to help the Hispanic community,” Deacon Mendez said. “Those who are already established and those who are coming … But I am here also to support the English speaking community with all the needs that they have and hopefully to raise mutual understanding, especially around this area. We need to understand each other.”