Msgr. John was the consummate good shepherd. His passion for justice, equality, and diversity permeated all he did wherever he was missioned and wherever he traveled.

Monsignor John G. Sandersfeld was born on March 7, 1940 in San Francisco, California. He was the eldest child of Fred Sandersfeld and Louise (Dondero) Sandersfeld. When he was a young child the family relocated to Los Gatos. He attended St. Leo’s elementary school and later Bellarmine College Preparatory. Following graduation from high school, he attended Santa Clara University and studied engineering for one year. He attended St. Joseph’s College and later St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park.

He was ordained for the Archdiocese of San Francisco by Archbishop Joseph McGucken on June 4, 1966, and was assigned to St. Lawrence the Martyr in Santa Clara. He would later serve as associate pastor at Mission Dolores, St. Kevin, and Most Holy Redeemer all in San Francisco. From 1978 until 1979 he served the National Council of Catholic Bishops as the associate director of the Parish Project for the Bishop’s Committee on Parish Life.

He was pastor of Most Holy Trinity in San Jose (1979-1987), vicar for clergy for the Diocese of San Jose (1988-1992), and was the founding pastor of St. Francis of Assisi (1993-2009). In 2000 he was named a Monsignor by Pope John Paul II.

Throughout his ministry, he was committed to parish ministry and developed a passion for ministry on the east side of San Jose. His interests were fishing, extensive and varied reading, gatherings with family and friends around the dinner table, and conversation. His expansive, global, and future ideas and planning were balanced by his interest in the ordinary punctuated by booming laughter. He was a force to be reckoned with and a force that is missed.

Monsignor Sandersfeld is survived by his sisters Ann Lambert (Jim), Jo Sandersfeld (Lourdes), and nieces Toni Presta and Lisa Middlebrook (Matt). 

In Memory of Msgr. John donations can be sent to Amigos de Guadalupe at 1897 Alum Rock Ave. San Jose CA. 95116 or emailed to www.amigoscenter.com .