María Elena Méndez Ochoa was born in La Joya, Michoacán, Mexico. She joined the  Congregation of Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in 1984. After completing her formation in 1993,  she was sent to serve in the United States. Since her arrival, she has served in parishes with communities in Florida, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. In Mississippi, she served at the diocesan level in Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Jackson. In Alabama, she was the director of Catholic Social Services of West Alabama.

Oliver Samson is a freelance writer based in Manila, Philippines. He has written for CBCPNews, Radio Veritas Asia, Business Mirror, and local magazines.