The priest, who retired in 1982 after serving for 23 years as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Vacaville and is celebrating 65 years of priesthood this year, is on a new mission.

He is empowering seniors to live life, not their age.

A resident at Campus Commons Seniors Residence in Sacramento, where he knows most people by name, Father Ryan is sharing a philosophy he has incorporated into his own life — that age is less a number than a state of mind.

“It’s attitude, living in the present, taking care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. You’re a child of God,” he said in an interview. “Forgive others and celebrate your faith.”

A number of Campus Commons’ seniors were the first of several senior groups to enroll in “Graceful Aging,” Father Ryan’s four-part interactive series which encourages students to value themselves for their wisdom and share it with others.

Teaching is second nature to Father Ryan, who earned a doctorate in education from Stanford University and spent most of his early years in the priesthood as an educator in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He served for nearly 20 years in the Bay Area as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent of schools.

“Actually a priest’s life is teaching. You see people grow before your eyes,” he said. “The big thing about being a teacher is a teacher is interested in you.”

Among the students enrolled in Father Ryan’s English classes at Marin Catholic High School were former U.S. poet laureate Robert Hass and David Del Tredici, resident composer for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Father Ryan decided to put his teaching hat back on three years ago after taking a course called “Brain Gain,” taught by Alice Jacobs at a residential care facility in Sacramento.

Jacobs, who has a doctorate in health education, founded Brain Gain to improve mental acuity among seniors.

“I found out when you exercise your mind, doing activities like crossword puzzles, your mind works better,” Father Ryan said. “Even later in life the brain has the capacity to rewire itself.”

Already a self-described “voracious” reader, he also frequently works word puzzles and exercises six days a week.

In addition to attending tai chi mind-body relaxation exercises several days a week, Father Ryan swims and plays golf regularly. His other hobbies include gardening and painting with oils and watercolors.

He said the focus of Graceful Aging is creating a positive attitude about aging.

“I get to know people individually from day one,” said Father Ryan, who has his students share some of their thoughts via a portable microphone he passes around the class.

Emmy Lou Grady, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Sacramento, attended a Graceful Aging session at the church about a year ago.

“I think his message is good, very upbeat,” said Grady, noting that as people age it is easy to become sedentary. “He stresses you really need to keep the body and mind going.”

Grady, who attends Sacred Heart’s “Over 60s” group with her husband Chuck, said that one lesson she learned from Father Ryan was that “there is a lot to explore” during a lifetime and “you need to have enough energy to go pursue it.”

Elizabeth Bloomquist, a member of St. Mary Parish in Vacaville, chaired the Graceful Aging committee when Father Ryan presented his sessions at the church.

“He is kind of like the spiritual pied piper,” said Bloomquist, who believes one of the blessings following Father Ryan’s classes was the formation of the church’s “Aging Gracefully” group.

“We get together monthly to eat, visit, laugh, and chit chat about what ever is on our minds,” she said. “It’s a Holy Spirit kind of thing.”

Father Ryan thinks every parish should have a senior group.

“Pastors should realize there is a mother lode of talent and ability they have in their senior citizens,” he said. “Every one has a wonderful story to tell.”

It is a sentiment heartily endorsed by Father Michael McFadden, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Vacaville.

“The way I look at (Father) Larry Ryan, he’s on to something,” said Father McFadden of his good friend, who is proof that being a senior, “like a fine wine,” gets better as years go by.

“He is concerned with the renewal of our minds, our spiritual lives, and really reaches people with his message,” Father McFadden said.

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