Fr. Sana was born in Araden, Iraq. After completing his education in Iraq, Fr. Sana was sent to Rome to study philosophy an theology. He was ordained a priest in 1984 at St. Peter's church in Rome.

In 1987, Fr. Sana arrived from Rome to serve the Assyrian Chaldean community of San jose, California. He continued celebrating Mass on a temporary basis at St. Lucy's parish until 1995, when Fr. Sana and the community purchased the current church building in the city of Campbell.

After major remodeling, the church was dedicated to St. Mary on September 12, 1995 by Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim. In 1996, the parish purchased a house adjacent to the church, after selling the first house that was bought in 1987 to serve as a residence of their priest and also as a place to hold parish council meetings.