A rich history that begins with the end of early California's Mexican period was celebrated Oct. 1 in Montecito with a Mass marking the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Cardinal Roger Mahony presided at the anniversary liturgy, joined by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry, pastor Father Maurice O'Mahony, former pastor Msgr. Henry Van Son and other visiting priests, religious, dignitaries, and parishioners past and present.

The oldest parish in the Archdiocese apart from the original Spanish missions and Our Lady Queen of Angels (La Placita) downtown, Our Lady of Mount Carmel is rooted in the early 1800s when small parcels of land to the side of Montecito Creek, outside Santa Barbara, were given to Mexican soldiers and their families in lieu of monetary payment for service in the army.

Early records indicate that Franciscan priests from Mission Santa Barbara would visit the area for Mass in a field. A small chapel was built in 1856 near the site of the present church, and soon after Monterey Bishop Thaddeus (Tadeo) Amat arrived in Santa Barbara to establish residency.

A second building was constructed in 1898, but soon the growing population meant a new, larger building was needed, leading to the construction of the present church in 1936 with funds donated by daughters of the Cudahy family, Mrs. William Nelson and her sisters Clara and Mary Cudahy. The newer church, noted the 150th Anniversary booklet, was built to accommodate not only those who lived on estates but also "the skilled and dedicated men and women --- the stewards, butlers, masons, maids, gardeners, chauffeurs, carpenters and mechanics --- all people of skill and devotion who maintained and cared for both the families and the properties on which they lived."

In his homily Cardinal Mahony tied the day's readings to the qualities that should be found in the parish community today. "We are called to develop a spirit of unity and harmony among us; we are called to be as inclusive as possible," he said.

Reflecting on the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Cardinal Mahony noted, "The parish community is called to build up the body of Christ, to listen to God's words and be nourished by the Eucharist and sacramental life of the Church."

Divisions, he said, are present not only among nations, but also "in our families and in the work place." Thus, like Jesus, the Church has to be as inclusive as possible, the cardinal said: "Jesus is constantly found with the leper, prostitutes, those who are least among us. All are welcome and equal in the house of God."

Near the end of Mass, Cardinal Mahony conferred Benemerenti Awards -- papal honors for "serving with distinction" - to sisters Laura and Ida Borgatello, ages 91 and 90, who were born and raised in Montecito, baptized in the second parish church, and have cleaned and decorated their parish church with flowers for the last 80 years. As young girls they would bring flowers from their own garden to decorate the church. "Mount Carmel Parish is truly blessed," said the cardinal, "to have such wonderful parishioners, who share their time, talents and treasure with their fellow parishioners."

Following the liturgy, Ida looked up at the main altar that she has so lovingly cared for and said, "It's been our whole life."

"That's about it," Laura agreed. "It's home!"