Florida Catholic | Obituary :: Deacon John Sierra

OBITUARY

Deacon John Sierra, 70

FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF REPORT

Published: 04.18.08

Deacon John Sierra, who served in Hispanic ministry at the diocesan level and at two Tampa parishes, died March 30 after a long illness. He was 70.

Deacon Sierra was born Jan. 9, 1938, in Havana, and was the second of his parents’ three children. He married his wife, Maria, in 1961, two years after graduating from the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) program at the University of Havana. Although a professional, he took work in the sugar cane fields in 1966 so he would be permitted to immigrate to the United States.

His efforts were realized two years later when he arrived in Philadelphia. There he worked as a bank teller and studied nights to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting and became accredited as a CPA. He and his family moved to Tampa in August 1973.

Ordained by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin May 2, 1987, Deacon Sierra became the diocese’s first deacon from the Hispanic community. He worked in Hispanic ministry at the diocesan level for a number of years: He was spiritual director of Cursillo for 14 years, organized the Our Lady of Charity Mass and was the spiritual director of Camino de Matrimonio. He also worked, often in Hispanic outreach, at Incarnation Parish in Tampa and, since 1992, at St. Paul Parish in Tampa.

Deacon Sierra was able to address his family’s spiritual needs through his church work. He baptized his grandchildren and officiated at the marriage of his youngest daughter.

In September 2007, he assisted at his last Our Lady of Charity Mass. One month later, he underwent major surgery. From that point on, he worked as much as his health would allow. He was able to give two homilies in January 2008, officiate at five baptisms in February and complete 60 tax returns before entering St. Joseph’s Hospital for the last time.

Patricia Palacios, who coordinated the Spanish Mass at St. Paul Parish with Deacon Sierra and knew him for more than 20 years, described him as a sweet, caring, hard-working and down-to-earth spiritual person who never said no to people who needed help.

“He could have finished with Mass and finished with the baptisms and he would still come to people and ask, ‘How can I help you?’” she said. “And he loved his ministry. He always served people with a smile and with happiness and joy. All he did was with great love.”

Deacon John Alvarez, who also serves at St. Paul Parish in Tampa, said Deacon Sierra often worked with Spanish-speaking men and women who came to the parish for spiritual or family counseling, or who were seeking baptisms or marriages.

“He would prepare people for marriage, preside at their marriage. He would conduct the Spanish baptisms,” Deacon Alvarez said. “Johnny would help us at the Spanish Mass and preach from time to time. … He was a great preacher.”

Palacios said Deacon Sierra’s service didn’t stop with Hispanics; he helped everyone.

“For me, he was my teacher, my friend, mi compañero and my leader,” Palacios said. “It was an honor to know such a wonderful man. For me, he supported me as I journeyed on my spiritual walk with God.”

Still, his contributions to the Hispanic community were substantial, she said. Spanish priests came and went, but Deacon Sierra was always there for the Hispanic community. He kept them united.

“He was our leader who never left,” she said. “We know he is with God, but we are still quite sad because it is a big loss for our community.”

Deacon Sierra is survived by Maria, his wife of 47 years; two daughters and four grandchildren.

His funeral Mass was celebrated April 5 at St. Paul Parish.

Condolences may be sent through St. Paul Parish, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618./p>

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OBITUARY

Deacon John Sierra, 70

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