Introducing Memorial's new Director of Pastoral Care, Deacon Leonel Briseno

We are extremely proud to welcome Memorial’s new Director of Pastoral Care, Deacon Leonel Briseno.

Lonnie, as most people call him, joins the MMC team with 23 years of ministry to children, youth, and their families as well as 14 years as a licensed social worker to our community’s most vulnerable populations.

Hoping to build on the outstanding ministry and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Margaret Short, his focus will be to strengthen the spiritual and emotional support offered to our patients, their families and team members of Memorial. He hopes to do this by keeping an open door where all are welcome, increasing the number of worship services in our chapel, and increasing the number of community volunteers and clergy who minister to our patients.

A native of Southern New Mexico who is bilingual, Lonnie comes to us from previous work in church ministry, a local mental health agency, school social work and most recently a skilled nursing facility. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and received a Master of Science in Religion and Religious Education from Fordham University in Bronx, New York. His most rewarding ministry has been sheltering and serving asylum seekers who have traveled through our area.

His ordination prayer was, “God give me a servant’s heart with which to love your people.” He has a passion for listening to the sacred and holy stories of those he encounters along the way, who now are our patients, their families, and our team members. He aspires to bring God’s love, mercy, compassion, healing, and forgiveness to all he encounters in the halls of Memorial. When not serving at MMC, he enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with his five sons and 11 grandchildren, along with his wife Lucille of 32 years.

Learn more about Memorial’s Pastoral Care Services at https://www.mmclc.org/pastoral-care. To contact our Pastoral Care Department, please call 575-521-5579.