Deacon Don Tillitson

Deacon Don was ordained on February 9, 2002 and has served in ministries at St. Catherine of Alexandria, the Riverside Jail, the California Institute for Women and abroad, particularly in the Philippines and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Deacon Don was raised in Southern California.  He grew up in Pomona, lived for many years in the High Desert, and has lived in Riverside since 1994.  His primary "outside" activity is genealogy, which he has been actively pursuing since he was 8 years old.

Deacon Don has a keen interest in global solidarity.  He has said that in his traveling in various places around the world that he has come to an understanding that for the most part, the people in the United States have lived lives filtered from the problems experienced by a large part of the world.  He believes that despite our sheltered lives, we must still actively participate in helping to raise the standards of those who are financially poor.  Deacon Don says, "I have found that although people in poorer countries may be financially poor, many are spiritually rich.  There is much that we can learn from others throughout the world.  However, in order for the people to be spiritually healthy, it is very important that they are able to provide meals for both themselves and their families.  There is much that we can do to help, but are so often unaware of how far our financial gifts can reach into their lives.  $30 a month will provide food and education for a child in many third-world countries.  It's surprising how often we might spend that amount for just one meal in the United States."

Deacon Don has become active in ministries in the Philippines and has become a part of some extended families on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.