By Katie Vasquez
The chords of this guitar are striking a note, and Deacon Juan Herrera hopes it will cause a stir in the hearts of the faithful.
“I like to play guitar with some people just to make fun and lift up the hearts of the people, make everybody happy,” Deacon Juan Herrera told Currents News. “I think it is also important outside of the sacraments to rally the people, to bring the people to church and show them, and a gentle and also kind face of the Church.”
The transitional deacon will be one of the new faces in the Diocese of Brooklyn as he prepares to be ordained in June.
“I’m waiting for this moment. It’s just unbelievable,” he explained. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that it is coming to fruition.”
At 6-years-old in Medellin, Colombia, he remembers being in awe of the priest at his local parish.
“I always asked my mom, ‘Who is that guy? Who is the guy?’ And she explained to me, ‘He’s a priest. He is celebrating Mass,'” he recalled.
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He told his parents of his desire to join the priesthood, but they were hesitant at first.
“My father said, ‘No, you got to go to to the university first,’” said Deacon Herrera.
Deacon Herrera eventually graduated from college and worked as a teacher for seven years, but it didn’t feel right.
“The desire is still there in my heart. It’s like when you have a table with four legs, but one of the legs is missing. That was my life. I was like, incomplete,” he told Currents News.
When he came to the Diocese of Brooklyn, he knew this was the place that God called him to.
“I saw the necessity of a Spanish-speaking priest here in the diocese. I can say I think the Lord is calling me to a specific ministry in a specific town, a specific place,” said Deacon Herrera.
On top of his musical talents, he spends his free time making rosaries. He believes both skills will help him to reach the people in the pews.
“It will be a great opportunity to open up that opportunity for those who are thirsting for the lord,” said Deacon Herrera.