Parishioners of St. Benedict Church in Montebello gathered Sept. 30 to celebrate a pioneering era, when Benedictine priests built the church to minister to sheepherders from the Basque region of Spain and also to serve ranch workers from Mexico.

To honor the priests and former parishioners who paved the way 100 years ago and to pray for the future, more than 1,000 parishioners filled the pews while others stood on tiptoe in the vestibule at the afternoon Mass. About 500 parishioners also attended a dinner at the Quiet Cannon Montebello Country Club.

Though Augustinian Recollect priests now administrate the thriving church and school and the demographics and countryside have changed, the welcoming spirit of the first Benedictines lives on.

"This is a friendly parish," said parishioner Kathryn Paroline at a reception following the Mass. As a member of the community for more than 30 years, Paroline raised both of her children in the school and now --- as a Benedictine Oblate --- serves in the Altar Society, the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Daughters Society.

While much has changed in the parish over the years, the people haven't, said Paroline, noting that the Benedictines set a precedent to remember every parishioner's name --- a little touch that "makes everyone feel welcome."

Crocetta Salomone, a member of the parish for more than 10 years, chose to send her son and daughter to St. Benedict School because of the friendliness and family atmosphere.

The committee chairperson for the 100-year celebration, Salomone said more than 40 people worked for more than a year to plan the celebration. A small subgroup even published a centennial book containing the history of the parish, complete with photographs.

The founding Benedictine priests --- who spoke Basque, Spanish and French --- built the original St. Benedict chapel that doubled as a cottage, and celebrated the first parish Mass Sept. 30, 1906. Since then, the building was replaced four times in several different locations. Each time, the church grew larger and more ornate to accommodate the growing influx of parishioners; the current church was constructed in 1959.

Deacon James Dillon, a parishioner since 1953 and a deacon since 1977, has seen much growth. Both the current church and the parish hall, he said, were built with the pastor at the time serving as a laborer, doing much of the work himself.

After more than 90 years serving the parish, the Benedictines returned to St. Gregory Abbey in Shawnee, Okla., in 1998, and Augustinian Recollect priests have administered the parish since. The staff now includes Augustinian Fathers Joseph J. Gallardo (pastor), James McGuire and Felizardo Daganta, plus deacons David Estrada, Alfonso Castillo and Dillon.

In his homily, Cardinal Roger Mahony praised those who have faithfully worshipped in the church from its earliest times. The assembly included a parishioner from the 1931 silver jubilee, about 50 who attended the 1956 anniversary and several hundred from 1981's 75th anniversary.

The cardinal noted that when the current church was built in 1959, most churches constructed at the time had a long and narrow design. St. Benedict's was among the first in the archdiocese to be built wider, with more seating close to the altar, in a style that was a precursor to Vatican II.

"This was an attempt to bring people together," the cardinal said of St. Benedict's design.

Cardinal Mahony recognized the Benedictine priests who had come for the celebration and the Sisters of the Presentation that operate the school whose enrollment is more than 600 students in grades K-8. The cardinal further acknowledged the eight priests and religious brothers and sisters and three deacons who had their vocational call encouraged while growing up in the parish.

"There have been a lot of vocations from this parish," the cardinal said. "That doesn't mean you can stop providing priests and religious, though. Continue to pray for more vocations."

Franciscan Sister Maria Regina Rodriguez, who taught religious education classes for the Hispanic ministry at St. Benedict's from 1986 to 1989, came from Milwaukee for the centennial celebration.

"I really enjoyed my time when I was here," she said. "The unity remains. This is a great place because they work together. There is a special bond here."