Deacon Jeronimo Ramirez Bazán

Deacon Jeronimo R. Bazán passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 17, 2022 surrounded by his family at home.

Deacon Jerry Bazán, as he liked to be called, was born in Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico on August 4, 1923, to Francisca Ramirez Bazán and Serafin Bazán. Deacon Jerry was one of 2 children. His mother was originally from Chila, Puebla, and his father from Veracruz, Veracruz Mexico and they moved to Mexico City, Mexico where he was raised with his brother Serafin Bazán the mid-1900's where he worked at his father's store.

In the early 1940's and at the age of 17, Deacon Jerry migrated to the US to work as a farmworker. Deacon Jerry became an apprentice to a carpenter and later, he became a carpenter and started his own business. Returning to Mexico City, he met his bride, Esperanza Leal Bazán who lived two blocks from him in the "Colonia Obrera". While on their daily walks they met and one year later they married (November 10, 1946). Life in Mexico was not what Esperanza and Jeronimo wanted for their six daughters and one son at that time. Esperanza and Jeronimo decided to move back to the US where they believed their children would have a better life.

During his early days in Houston, Texas, Deacon Jerry's skills and love for renewing and refurbishing antiques, furniture and frames from exclusive paintings became his livelihood to provide for Esperanza and their twelve children.

Deacon Jerry and Esperanza became active members of St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Center Street in Houston, Texas to ensure that their children would be raised in the Catholic Church. In 1964, the pastor of St. Stephen's, Fr. Maurice Buckley, OMI., invited Jeronimo to attend a Cursillo or retreat for men. He lived his Cursillo de Cristiandad in English since there weren't any Spanish language Cursillos at that time in the Houston area.

Deacon Jerry became very active in the Cursillos de Cristiandad (Women and Men's retreats) or the Cursillo Movement. As a leader in the Spanish Language Cursillos, Deacon Jerry was instrumental in starting the Cursillos for men and women in the Galveston-Houston Diocese. He initiated the purchasing of the first Cursillo Center on the east side of Houston or Velasco Street (near Harrisburg). Deacon Jerry continued to work to prepare leaders in the School of Leaders for the Cursillo Movement. Through his efforts, a board was established. The Cursillos had grown so rapidly that the Cursillo Center on Velasco Street became too small to support the growth. Deacon Jerry met with Bishop John Morkovsky, Bishop of Galveston-

Houston in the 1970's to inform him of the need for another Center. Bishop Morkovsky provided the first contribution towards the new Cursillo Center. The newly established Cursillo Center was named St. Paul's Cursillo Center in 1976 on Belk Street. The leaders school grew in numbers and many leaders were prepared to serve as team members and give many talks (rollos). As of today, hundreds of Cursillos in three languages – English, Spanish, and Vietnamese have been offered and more than 1000 Catholics have participated or lived a Cursillo. Also, many Cursillo leaders began to serve in other ministries such as the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano and the "Acts or Hechos" retreats for men and women. The Encuentro de Promoción Juvenil Movement for young adults was another fruit of the Cursillo Movement.

Both Deacon Jerry and Esperanza were leaders in the Cursillo Movement from 1964 until 1981 when Jeronimo was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. During his 36 years as a deacon, Deacon Jerry served in various parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. His initial assignment was to the Spanish-speaking community of Our Lady of Grace in South Houston. He was assigned or asked to assist other parishes with the need for a Spanish-speaking Deacon and these included St. Phillip of Jesus, Resurrection Catholic Church, St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Channelview, and Annunciation Catholic Church. In addition, he served in the Port of Houston Seaman's Center, the Jail Ministry and, of course, as the Deacon who gives the rollo on "Life in Grace" during the men's and women's Cursillos until 2018.

In 1996, Deacon Jerry found a home at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. He was asked by Pastor George Sheltz to serve as the Spanish-speaking Deacon for the growing Hispanic Community at Prince of Peace. Deacon Jerry and Esperanza participated in providing classes for couples who were being prepared for their Con-validation or the Sacrament of Matrimony as well as provided classes for Baptism preparation for parents wanting to baptize their children in the Church. Deacon Jerry touched the lives of hundreds of people during his lifetime. The lives he touched the most were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He lived a life of faith no words can fully explain. His great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist and the family rosary were the greatest treasures he left his beloved family, parish family and Cursillo leaders. Now, he joins his beloved wife, Esperanza, in the Holy Banquet of the Lord.

Deacon Jerry is preceded by his beloved wife of 75 years, his two sons, Senovio and Jorge Bazán, his parents, Francisca Ramirez Bazán and Serafin Bazán, mother-in-law, Margarita Sanchez Leal, father-in-law, Angel Leal, his brother, Serafin Bazán, many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, his son-in-law Marcelo Uriegas, Jr. and a great-granddaughter, Zoey Dockal. Deacon Jerry is survived by his sister-in-law, Anita Leal

Blanco and his eight daughters and spouses (Lidia and Edward Gutierrez, Raquel Aurora and Joe E. Gonzales, Maria G. Esther Bazán-Myrick and Rick Myrick, Lucy and Bill Weaver, Julia Uriegas, Laura and Dr. Pedro Caram, Hope and Ray Herrera, Linda and David Langham); his four sons (Roger and Sylvia Bazán, Jesse G. and Anita Bazán, Jerry Bazán, Anthony and Elizabeth Bazán); forty-seven grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; and, one great great-grandson; many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

The family would like to thank the Vantage Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during Deacon Jerry's last days at home.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations to be made in Deacon Jerry's honor to: