Each morning staff members at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish gather and pray together as they begin their workday. For business manager Becky Maffucci, it is this melding of community and spirituality that makes her daily work more than just a job.

"Spirituality and hospitality go hand in hand here," she says. For nearly 20 years Maffucci has worked in the Whittier parish and seen how the Redemptorists who staff the parish have placed a priority on building up the spiritual life. They "bring a spirituality that defines us," she says. "It's more than a place to work."

"We have an awesome responsibility," Marie Johnson, music director for the last five years, tells her many choir members and musicians. "We are helping this congregation to pray." To be effective they must "sing like a prayer --- put meaning to it, not just as a song, but as a prayer," says Johnson.

Liturgy and the Eucharist are at the center of St. Mary's diverse population. Pastor for only the last six months, Redemptorist Father Jose Luis Chavez, says he is committed to help his parishioners "grow and continue to be more united. If it is going to be united," he adds, "it isn't going to be because of me, but because of the Eucharist. My emphasis has been adoration, the Eucharist and preparation for the Masses."

Participation in all aspects of parish life has grown in the last few months since adoration has been introduced to the weekly schedule. "Since we've started adoration it's been incredible," says Maffucci. "Father Jose is so Eucharist centered."

With about 4,500 families in the parish database, this is no small feat given that the parish celebrates six Sunday Masses in English, one in Vietnamese and three in Spanish. Father Chavez sets out to feed his people "with the bread and with the word. If anything works it will be because of the Lord."

And work it does. The Redemptorist tradition of giving parish missions and retreats is an important influence on the parish. "A lot of wonderful things are happening here," says Johnson. She works closely with musician Mauricio Centeno, former music director, to prepare liturgies. "Music has the power to connect the community," adds Centeno. "Music leads the people to prayer."

Genno Coppa, member of the parish finance committee, the choir and a Bible Study participant, also attends daily Mass. Recently Coppa spoke at Sunday Masses about support for Together in Mission. His parish "is the center of my spiritual life," he says. A good portion of his adult life has been spent in the parish. "I come here daily to receive God and to build my spirituality."

Like Coppa St. Mary of the Assumption parishioners are committed first to the Eucharist and then to service. The parish is committed to feeding and care for others in need. Long a tradition in Whittier, the parish provides St. Mary's Place, under the direction of Cecilia Seelig-Sosa and parish volunteers. Located just a block from the parish offices, St. Mary's Place feeds about 30 homeless each morning, also providing toiletries and clothing when needed.

On Saturday mornings parishioner Lourdes Vega, with ten children of her own, serves a hot breakfast for the homeless. Each month about 210 "stroller moms" go to St. Mary's Place for food for themselves and their children in the pantry. They can also get clothing in the Thrift Store and receive other assistance. Parishioners provide for those in need.

"If you can make a difference in just one person's life, you've done a lot," says Cecilia. "I think that a lot of us are just one paycheck away from being homeless and we need to find the compassion in our hearts."