Reverend Monsignor Rául S. Sánchez

Monsignor Raul S. Sanchez, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Bakersfield, CA, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2016, surrounded by the presence and prayers of his family. He was 53. Monsignor Sanchez immigrated to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico when he was eight, and settled in the Merced, CA area. At 20, he began his seminary formation to become a priest in the Diocese of Fresno. He was ordained on June 5, 1993, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fresno by the Most Rev. Bishop John T. Steinbock and received the title of Monsignor in 2008.

He served in the following parishes, St. Anne's, Porterville, CA; St. Joseph's, Selma, CA; St. Jude's, Earlimart, CA; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Alphonsus, Fresno; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Clovis; St. John's Cathedral, Fresno; St. Frances Cabrini, Huron, CA; and St. Philip the Apostle, Bakersfield, CA.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Carlos Sanchez. He is survived by his mother and father, Maria de Jesus and Jose Guadalupe Sanchez; siblings, Adolfo, Marcelino, Maria de Jesus, Arturo, Ana Rosa and Carolina; and a host of nephews and nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces.

Visitation will be held at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 7100 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, on Thursday, June 23, 2016, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fresno on Friday, June 24, 2016, at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at St. Peter's Cemetery. Condolences and remembrances may be sent to St. Philip the Apostle Church, 7100 Stockdale Hwy., Bakersfield, CA 93309.