Most Catholics are aware of the words of Jesus, found in Matthew 25:39-41, that teach us to treat even the most vulnerable people as if they were him. Fewer Catholics are aware of the words of Pope Francis when he spoke at the 2019 “Yes to Life: Taking Care of the Precious Gift of Life in its Frailty,” conference at the Vatican. “No human being can ever be unfit for life, whether due to age, state of health or quality of existence,” the pope said.

Priests living at Southgate at Shrewsbury are retired, but “we’re still priests,” says one of them, Father Charles J. Dumphy. Despite physical limitations, he takes part in Mass there and takes his turn being available to hear fellow residents’ confessions.