By Toni Pallatto - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | To honor a teacher who became a father figure, Ramon Mendez has donated $100,000 to St. John Vianney College Seminary.

“At your request, there will be no plaque in the classroom to be named after you until you retire. However, your name is engraved in the hearts of those who have known your friendship,” Mendez told his former teacher, Jose Antonio Solis-Silva, during a presentation April 22.

Solis-Silva chairs the philosophy department at the seminary, where he has taught for 38 years.

Mendez entered St. John Vianney in August 2000, and earned a bachelor’s in philosophy. He went on to earn a master’s in theology at the major seminary of St. Vincent de Paul in Boynton Beach. The day he finished there, he started his new career.

“I was asked by one of my Emmaus brothers to join him in his commercial real estate business,” he explained. “This has allowed me to work with a man of faith and to have a good career.”

He still recalls his first day at St. John Vianney.

“I remember my first class with Dr. Solis on a hot, sunny August day,” he said. “He walked in looking like Santa Claus, and began to speak about how to study philosophy. ‘Philosophy must be done in friendship. If we cannot be friends, we cannot do philosophy.’

“That is when our friendship began,” Mendez continued. “José Antonio walked with me as a seminarian, he walked with me when I left the seminary, and he has been a father figure to me, along with my stepfather.

“For all those friends you have taught with, worked with, and those who have crossed your path, you have the eyes of compassion and understanding. In your look, we feel your love,” Mendez said.

The check presentation took place just before the annual faculty and staff appreciation dinner at the seminary. Mendez’s wife of nine years, Jennifer, his mother and stepfather were in attendance, along with the seminary’s rector, Msgr. Roberto Garza, members of the faculty, staff and seminarians.

“Ray, you come into life with transparency and goodness, and any man would be proud to have you as a son,” Solis-Silva responded. “Second, it’s all about the seminary, not about me. It’s the people and the community of love to which we give our lives. And, thirdly, how do you say thanks for something like this? Thanks to Jesus who surprises us all the time. It’s the mystery of God’s love, and we share the journey for a little while as we walk together in love.”