Deacon Sergio Diaz

On the faith journey of Deacon Sergio Diaz, Christ’s call to the diaconate was clear to everyone… save its intended recipient. After some 30 years of persuasion from many clergy and members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Perth Amboy, that call was answered May 14 when he joined the ranks of the newest class of permanent deacons for the diocese.
 

Deacon Diaz was born in Yaque Abajo, Janico, Dominican Republic, one of six children of Jesus and Maria Diaz. He attended Perth Amboy’s Shull elementary school and was active in the parish as an altar server. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, Deacon Diaz earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Spanish at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
 

Deacon Diaz worked as a claims adjustor with various insurance companies and law firms, then became a field representative in the urban enterprise zone/business improvement district as an employee of the City of Perth Amboy. He later served as branch manager and business development officer for First Constitution Bank, and currently serves as the business development officer for Columbia Bank.
 

Despite his success in the business world, many felt his faith life might be expanded to further serve others, he recalled.
 

“Since the mid-1990s, [the parish’s late] Deacon [Herminio] Rivera and his wife tried to convince me to pursue the diaconate, but it was not for me at that time,” said Deacon Diaz. “Many fellow parishioners also tried to persuade me. Our former pastor, Father Alberto Ruiz, also asked me to consider it, but I was busy serving as parish council president and vice chair of the parish financial council.”
 

Instead, Diaz threw his hat into politics, running for Perth Amboy City council. Losing by just a handful of votes, he was puzzled by an elderly parishioner’s reaction as she met him in church a few days later.
 

“She came up to me and congratulated me,” he remembered with a chuckle. “I told her, ‘No, I lost the election,’ to which she replied, ‘I know, I am glad.’
 

“She pointed to the cross over the altar and said, ‘Jesus wants you here and not out there.’”
 

For his formation to the diaconate, Deacon Diaz earned a master’s degree in theology this year at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange. His wife, Ramona, and daughters, Michelle and Raquel, were very supportive, for faith runs deep in this extended family.
 

“I grew in a very Catholic family. So did my wife,” Diaz said. “Her younger sister is a nun, and her older sister is married to a fellow diaconate candidate, German Gonzalez, whose son, Matthew, was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Newark [May 28 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark].
 

“Another man in my diaconate class, Jose Diaz, is a cousin. There is also great support from the parish. The excitement from others is truly humbling.”
 

As for what advice he would give to someone considering a vocation to the diaconate, he said, “Open your heart to the Lord. Don’t rush into it, but if you hear the call, listen.”