N REMEMBRANCE: Fr. John Vargas, C.Ss.R.
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October 11, 2024Fr. John Vargas, who made significant contributions to the worldwide Congregation, died at the age of 76 on October 4, 2024 in Baton Rouge.He spent the majority of his 42 years of ministry in Rome, initially directing development efforts for the Alphonsian Academy and serving as Assistant General Econome before he assumed responsibility for all of the Congregation’s dealings with the Vatican as Procurator General, a position he held for more than a decade.John Charles Vargas was born to José and Maria Vargas in El Paso, TX, on May 23, 1948. In preparation for entering the family’s funeral home business, he earned a BA in Mortuary Sciences at Commonwealth College of Science in Houston, TX in 1971. Only two years into his new career, he was compelled to answer the call to the priesthood.
He enrolled at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, WI and earned a BA in Philosophy in 1975. After completing novitiate in Oconomowoc, he professed temporary vows on July 28, 1974. He proceeded to Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, NY, where he excelled in Deaf ministry and was known as a warm and generous classmate – a real joy in community. Classmates remember that when asked to present a “how to” demonstration, John chose to explain the embalming process, using now Cardinal Joseph Tobin as the corpse.He graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s in Religious Education in 1977 and professed perpetual vows on August 29, 1977. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Sidney Matthew Metzger, STD, JCD of the Diocese of El Paso at St. Ignatius Church on June 24, 1978.After graduating summa cum laude with a Master’s in Divinity from Mount St. Alphonsus in 1979, the newly ordained priest joined the faculty and was named assistant director of Holy Redeemer Seminary/Holy Redeemer Mission Center in Lacombe, LA.
Within a year, he was appointed director of the facility and superior of the local community. By 1984, he was also serving as director of the New Orleans Vice Province Financial Development Office. He relocated to the Vice Provincial residence in New Orleans in 1986, and assumed additional responsibilities as treasurer of the Vice Province and superior of the local community in 1987.Despite his heavy workload, Fr. John pursued an MSA in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1990. He was appointed Assistant General Econome in Rome in 1993, and graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame in 1994.A charming and skilled networker, he was quickly embraced by the broader Church community in Rome and introduced to the city’s finest attractions and restaurants. He was a gracious host, and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining visitors to the General House throughout his time in Rome.Fr. John was appointed executive director of development for the Alphonsian Academy in Rome in 1996. During this time, he also earned a Licentiate of Canon Law from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He was appointed Procurator General, responsible for handling all of the worldwide Congregation’s dealings with the Vatican, in 2010. He thrived in that position for more than a decade, but illness forced his return to the United States in 2021.While he was assigned to Hispanic Ministry at St. Gerard Majella Parish in Baton Rouge, he suffered a debilitating stroke and was admitted to Ollie Steele Burden Manor, a skilled nursing facility. Redem
ptorist confreres and friends remembered his years of gracious hospitality and continued to visit him until the time of his death.
Funeral rites are scheduled at St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge this Saturday, October 12. Visitation is at 9:00 am, followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 am. A reception will be held in the Seelos Hall immediately after Mass.Fr. John’s family is currently making arrangements for burial in the family plot in El Paso. Details will be shared when they have been finalized. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.May he rest in peace.