Sister Jo-Michele (Rosario Esther) Sierra died on October 15, 2017 at the age of 77.  She was born on February 23, 1940.  Sister graduated from Fox Tech High School where she excelled in music and academics.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Sociology from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a Master of Arts in Religious and Pastoral Studies from the University of the Incarnate Word.  Her vision was always to serve the Lord and humanity with a great sense of social justice and compassion.

Sister Jo-Michele professed her first vows as a nun on July 26, 1964, in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where she faithfully served as a member for 53 years.  After teaching for several years at the Mount Sacred Heart Schools for Girls and Boys, she then became involved in pastoral ministry and religious education for 15 years, directing programs in Oklahoma, Corpus Christi, Del Rio and the Rio Grande Valley.

Moving back to San Antonio, Sister worked with the Housing Authority in Senior Services for 15 years.  Retiring in 2004, she received special recognition from SAHA for her dedication to the elderly and the disabled.  She was so inspired by the needs of the disabled that she then became involved with Catholic Charities in the area of Ministry to the Disabled.  Determined to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities, and due to her devotion to Angels, she was always seeking "angels" to assist those in need.  Throughout the final years of her life, Sister served the Archdiocese of San Antonio as Director of the Ministry for Persons with Disabilities, an office which she advocated as "Angel Connection."  Her life truly was one of loving and dedicated service.

Sister Jo-Michele was preceded in death by her loving parents, Miguel and Elvira Escamilla Sierra, two brothers, Ruben and Raymond Sierra, and one sister, Mary Sierra Flores.

She is survived by two brothers, Michael and Arthur Sierra, their wives Kaye and Susan, Mary's husband Jose Flores, Ruben's wife Mary Elizabeth Sierra, several cousins, nieces and nephews.  She will be missed by her family, her religious community, and the countless people that she loved and served.

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart and her family wish to thank the Sisters of Divine Providence and the staff at McCullough Nursing Home, plus Christus Hospice, for their lovely care in Sister Jo-Michele's final days here on Earth.  Her struggles with cancer reinforced her faith that death is but a graduation to a new Heavenly life.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Burial will be at a later date in the
cemetery of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Memorials may be sent to the
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
11931 Radium St.
San Antonio, Texas 78216