Fr. Mario grew up in Troy, NY and attended the Franciscan parish of St. Anthony, Troy. He attended St. Francis Seraphic Seminary in Andover, MA ; Immaculate Conception College of Philosophy, Troy, NY; St. Anthony Novitiate, Catskill, NY; and, St. John's Seminary, Boston. 

Ordained in 1981, he was stationed at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Pittsburgh, PA; Serra Catholic High School, McKeesport, PA; St. Ann Parish, Marlboro, MA; the Provincial Vocation Office; St. Francis Xavier Parish, New Milford, CT; St. Anthony Parish, Troy, NY; and most recently as pastor of St. Anthony Parish, NY, NY.