Rev. Joseph Anthony Sidera, C.S.C., 82, died at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Conn. on Sunday, January 12, 2025 after a short illness.

Rev. Joseph A. Sidera, C.S.C. was born in New Haven, Conn. on February 15, 1942 to John and Theresa (DiBonis) Sidera and is one of three children. Fr. Sidera graduated from Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Conn. before entering the Holy Cross Seminary at Stonehill College in 1959. He spent his Novitiate year in Bennington, Vt. before making first vows on August 16, 1961. He made final vows in Holy Cross on August 16, 1964. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stonehill college, before earning a Masters of Theology from Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C. in 1968. On June 1^st of that same year, he was ordained a Holy Cross priest at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.

After ordination in 1968, Fr. Sidera was assigned to teach Theology at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. until 1973. In 1973, he began his advanced studies at the University of Notre Dame, earning a Masters in Counseling in 1974 and a Masters in Social Psychology in 1975. From 1975-1977, he was assigned as Director of Campus Ministry at King’s College before returning to the University of Notre Dame to earn his Doctorate in Psychology in 1983. From 1983-1985, he returned to King’s College to teach Psychology.

From 1985-1987, he worked as a counselor for Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Fall River, Mass. before being assigned to the Formation Staff at Moreau Seminary in Notre Dame, Ind. from 1988-1991. In 1991, he returned to King’s College as the Director of the Counseling Center until 2003, when he became Program Director of Shalom Center in Splendora, Tex. until 2005. From 2005-2008, he was assigned as Vocation Director of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

In 2008, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield, Conn. and served there until 2013, when he was assigned as Associate Pastor at Holy Infant Parish in Orange, Conn. until 2017. From 2017-2019, he was appointed Associate Pastor at Church of the Assumption in Woodbridge, Conn. Beginning in 2019, he assisted at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Weston, Conn. where he ministered until the time of his passing.

Preceding Fr. Sidera in death are his parents, sister Angela Marie Petrucci and foster-sister Corine Alfano.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Weston, Conn. Fr. Sidera’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind. You may join this Funeral Mass via livestream at funerals.holycrossusa.org.

Burial will be in the Holy Cross Community Cemetery at Notre Dame, Ind. Harding Funeral Home in Westport, Conn. is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.