Reprinted with permission from A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors. Some edits have been made for style and clarity.
TROY — Msgr. John Zafe Vargas passed away on April 23, 2020, in Troy. He was 83.
Msgr. Vargas was born June 23, 1936, in Palnab, Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines. He was the eldest son of Balbino Lumbao Vargas, the former vice mayor of Virac, and Benita Zafe Vargas with one sister and one brother. He attended Palnab Elementary School.
He also attended Catanduanes College for one year before transferring to Daet Parochial School in Camarines Sur for his secondary education. Here, his vocation was nurtured through the help of Fr. Antonio Reganit and Sr. Salvadora Arcilla, his paternal great-aunt.
Msgr. Vargas began his seminary studies at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Legazpi, Albay, Philippines. He also attended Holy Rosary Seminary in Naga City, Philippines before continuing his studies at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, where he finished with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Sacred Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 25, 1966, by the late Bishop Flaviano Ariola of the Archdiocese of Legazpi.
Msgr. Vargas migrated to the United States in 1978 with the help of Bishop Jose C. Sorra. He served in three different dioceses in the U.S., beginning in New York. There he served at several parishes in Sayville and Long Island as well as Bayonne, N.J. He also served at Incarnation Church in Tampa, Fla., before spending his final years in Michigan, where his family now resides.
In Michigan, he served at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Sterling Heights, St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion, St. Isidore Parish in Macomb, St. Sylvester Parish in Warren, St. Clement Parish in Center Line and Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills.
While he was active in his parish assignments, and even during his retirement, Msgr. Vargas began investing his time in the community where he lived, particularly among the Filipino community in Michigan.
He served as spiritual advisor and member of many organizations and prayer groups in the Metro Detroit area, including Kapulungan ng mga Katolikong Pilipino sa Michigan (KKPM), Samahan ng Santo Nino sa Michigan, Our Lady of Penafrancia (Our Lady Queen of Peace Apostolate), Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Group, Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD), Tribu Kalipay and Philippine American Community Center of Michigan (PACCM).
Often referred to as “Fr. Johnny” or “Monsie,” he is remembered for his generous heart, big smile and willingness to always celebrate the Mass whenever and wherever the occasion arose.
His homilies were always known to be well-written, succinct and focused on the Gospel. Many will remember him for his solid Catholic advice and spiritual guidance as well as his strong leadership, humble actions and ability to appropriately inject humor in his everyday interactions.
Msgr. Vargas also remained incredibly generous and compassionate toward his fellow priests and sisters in his home Diocese of Virac in the Philippines. He donated his own land to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, which was used to create the now successful Ville St. John Elementary School. He also supported the many projects of the bishop of the Diocese of Virac, including a yearly mission appeal that allowed many seminarians the opportunity to fulfill their duties to become priests.
His faithfulness in the love of Christ and service to the community, his generosity toward fellow priests in the Philippines and his support for the Archdiocese of Virac were acknowledged by the Most Reverend Bishop Manolo de Los Santos to the Vatican to be elevated to a high prelate. Thus, the title of “monsignor” was given to him in January 2000.
VIRTUAL MASS
A virtual Mass will be celebrated via live-stream from St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Friday, May 1, at 11 AM EDT. The service webcast may be found on the Tribute Wall and via the Kapulungan ng mga Katolikong Pilipino sa Michigan (KKPM) Facebook Live page.
