Ivana Meshell

Ivana was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of John Daniel Thibodeaux and Betty Melonson and became a daughter of God when she was baptized on the 14^th day of January, 1961. She received her B.A. Theology from the University of St. Thomas, Houston and her M.A. Pastoral Studies through St. Mary’s Seminary. For nearly 40 years she has been active teaching theology, conducting catechist training, directing retreats, writing, and involvement in many aspects of pastoral, catechetical, and liturgical ministry. Since 1993, she has been married to Deacon James Meshell who serves at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Humble. Ivana now serves as Director of Evangelization and Discipleship at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Spring, Texas. She is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Evangelization & Discipleship department, leading projects, programs, and initiatives that advance Church’s mission to “make disciples” for Jesus Christ by evangelizing families, helping people fulfill their God-given potential, and raising up new leaders in the Church. She loves to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and has visited 75 of the parishes in our archdiocese. She is a big fan of the late Bishop Fulton Sheen, who had a gift for communicating the Word of God in a pure, understandable way, and whose evangelizing leadership touched tens of millions of people around the world. Besides loving God, family, and ministry, Ivana also loves learning, is an avid reader; enjoys artistically creative work, knitting/crocheting, and deer hunting.