EL CENTRO — Deacon Sergio Hernandez has been serving not only the faithful of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, but also the incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison, where he serves as chaplain at one of the two state penitentiaries in Imperial County.
Born in Santa Ana, California, the deacon has been a resident of the Imperial Valley since age 2, after his family business moved to the Calexico-Mexicali area. He spent his youth in Calexico, married and moved to El Centro in 1991.
He was ordained as a permanent deacon in June of 2016, and began in June 2021 his service as chaplain, working at the prison eight hours a day, five days a week.
The Southern Cross interviewed him recently before his 40-minute work commute. Excerpts of his comments follow.
Question: What was your early family life like?
Answer: My dad had an egg delivery route from Santa Ana to Calexico … As the business grew, they offered him to open up a warehouse in Calexico, and that is what brought us to the Valley.
My mom helped my dad in the business and raised us at home. I am the oldest of three. My wife, Patricia, and I have three children.
Our family was always involved in the Church, so those are good memories of mine: participating in youth group, going to church on Sundays and attending catechism.
When did you feel the call to become a deacon?
I thought my future was going to be to take over my dad’s business and become a successful businessman. In 2010, Father Ruben Valenzuela — God rest his soul — and Deacon Domingo (Enriquez) invited some of us to a dinner to speak about the diaconate. (Afterward) we began to contemplate the diaconate as a couple, and that’s kind of where the ball began to roll.
You were ordained in June 2016, in the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
Yes, and that was also the Jubilee Year of Mercy, so it’s always nice to remember that God has been very merciful with me.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is not only a mystery, but it is infinite amounts of love. A lot of the (incarcerated folks) have lacked that in their life — love. We all want to be loved. So that’s what I do — I try to be an image of Christ and remind them that they are loved.
The Church sees them as our parishioners, though they are incarcerated. (Visiting those in prison) is in the Gospels because Jesus knew that we tend to forget the incarcerated and the sick because we don’t see them.
Though we don’t always get to see the fruits, my ministry, job and responsibility (are) to just throw and plant the seed. You journey with these men, walk with them for the season of their imprisonment, and share with them the savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
How did you become a chaplain at a prison?
Deacon Refugio “Cuco” Gonzalez was the chaplain at the prison before me, and he said to me, “Hey, once I retire you are going to take over for me.” At the time, I just chuckled.
I say (being a deacon and working in the prison) is a blessing because that is where I’ve seen God take hardened hearts and make them human hearts again. If you see some of these folks outside today, you would never imagine the types of lives they previously lived. When someone shows them kindness, mercy and treats them with dignity, they see that, “Wow, there’s another way of living.”
The greatest thing I’ve seen is how drastically God can change your heart if you allow him to; in some ways, I think I’ve received more than I’ve actually given.
What are some of your duties as a deacon at OLOV and chaplain?
As a chaplain, my day begins picking up Jesus — consecrated hosts — and taking him to the prison to lead Communion services. We also do a lot of one-on-one, and sometimes they come up to us in the yard. I do a lot of listening. When we get the opportunity, we try to offer some advice or share words of encouragement. We hold Bible studies, catechism, guitar worship class.
I’ve never felt at risk at the prison.
At Our Lady of the Valley, I teach third-grade catechism and OCIA courses in English and Spanish. We do baptisms, quinceañera Masses, funerals, and visit hospice patients.
I can’t see myself today not being a deacon. I enjoy serving and love to proclaim the Gospel.
