Many summers ago, I was interim musician in Plano, Texas. During a regular business day, I received a call from one of my friends telling me about his excitement of finding Christ in the Junior Apostles of Christ (J.A.C.) movement in San Francisco. Shortly after that I met Mario Vierneza, the servant leader of the JAC.

In these few short years of working in the Lord’s vineyard with him, Mario welcomed me to the ministry, to work with him in proclaiming the gospel of Christ.

During my years away from seminary was a time in my life when I drew close to Mario. As a matter of fact, he had adopted me as his own nephew for the kingdom. During my time in Lincoln, he had visited me with his family several times and we had some great conversations that reminded me of all the good memories I shared with the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

In all honesty, serving the 2016 NCRC was not on my radar. As a matter of fact, it was a last minute decision to commit to the weekend at the Santa Clara Convention Center. In a routine manner, I had brought Church Wine for the liturgies and unloaded my car. After I was done, Mario asked if I could drive him across the street. In what would be his final lesson to me, he spoke of how he was getting old and suffering a little. Yet, his suffering was okay because nothing compared to the suffering of Christ. He wanted to offer his small suffering for souls. I got him to the entrance of the hotel, he said, “I’ll see you later nephew” tapped my car and I was on my way.

At the opening of the NCRC Mass in 2016, it was told that he had a massive heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He did not make it to the morning. For me, it was poetically beautiful that Mario Vierneza died doing what he loved: serving the Lord (September 25, 1948-May 28, 2016).

My heart will be etched forever of the memory and love of this great man and I give praise to God that God gave him to me even for only a brief moment for knowing him has changed my life.