SAN DIEGO — Augustinian Father Gary Sanders is a familiar face at Nazareth House of San Diego.
Father Sanders, 76, celebrates Mass at least three times a week — on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday — for senior residents of the facility, which is operated by the Sisters of Nazareth.
“They bring me joy,” he said of the residents, “and … by my ministry, I know I bring them joy.”
Father Sanders said that about 40 people or more attend his typical daily Masses, but the room has been “filled” for special liturgies, like Christmas and for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
During his visits, he is also available to hear confessions, to confer the anointing of the sick or to speak individually with residents. He said the latter is “always a delight.”
In this ministry, which began almost two years ago, Father Sanders has found that many Catholics of advanced years possess a great sense of humor and a reverence for the sacred.
Some residents will approach him during his visits to tell him a joke, he said, and they are “really into Mass” and “treasure the Blessed Sacrament, receiving Communion.”
“I really feel very much a priest when I’m at
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