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Name: Hector David Mendoza Vela
Date of birth: February 21, 1977
Hobbies and interests: walking, listening to music, reading
Favorite saints: Bishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Saint John Bosco, Pope John XXIII
I was fifteen years old when some friends of mine and I participated in a youth retreat which was a tremendous experience with God. However, I did not feel a call to the priesthood, but I enjoyed the experience. My first experience with ministry was helping with a missionary group, and later I taught a First Communion class. And again, I did not feel a call to the priesthood. It was not until a few years later when I worked in a countryside parish that I thought about for the first time becoming a priest. Father Andres Argueta was the pastor at St. Joseph the Worker in Jocoaitique, Morazan El Salvador. He was an old priest who had been working at that parish for at least forty years and he was very happy with his diocesan priestly vocation and he enjoyed his ministry. His testimony attracted me a lot and I saw that the people needed the sacraments and spiritual leadership. This is what inspired me to become a priest. On January 06, 2004, I talked to him and I let him know that I decided to go to the seminary. He wanted me to join the Diocese of San Miguel in El Salvador. Nevertheless, God’s plan was totally different because Father Andres passed away in 2005. Therefore, I had to start my process in another diocese.
My diocese of origin is Zacatecoluca, El Salvador. Bishop Elias Bolanos is the actual bishop and he accepted me as seminarian. In 2006 I started my philosophical studies at Blessed John XXIII Seminary. On weekends seminarians worked in parishes. I was assigned to work in Saint John the Baptist parish in the town of Olocuilta for two years. There I worked in liturgical formation and youth ministry, and with altar boys, choirs, and catechists. One of the most important things for me was the good relationship between the pastor, associate pastors and myself.
In 2007 Bishop Bolanos told me about a new experience with the Diocese of Oakland. The bishop, after consulting the seminary formation staff, discerned that I should come to Oakland. I came from El Salvador to the United States in January of 2008 and I spent one semester at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon. There, I was involved in the ESL program. That was a tremendous experience of faith, fellowship, and hope. I came to Saint Patrick’s Seminary in the fall semester of 2008. Saint Patrick’s training and formation is a great multicultural experience. On February 11, 2009 I was installed as lector. Now I am seeking God’s will in my life. I have noticed that the Diocese of Oakland is a land of mission. It is a multicultural diocese and I will face many challenges in my vocational training. I am invited to love the Church and serve the People of God with charity. I trust in the intercession of our Blessed Mother who is my help and refuge. Studying for the Diocese of Oakland gives me the opportunity of knowing the riches of the Church and I give thanks to the Lord for “his tender compassion” and mercy. Hopefully, with your prayers, I will serve you in priestly ministry in the future.