St. Marcellinus Church was filled to capacity Nov. 18 to mark an historic occasion: the installation of Humberto Ramos as the first lay parish life director in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Formerly an associate director in the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, Ramos will now be responsible for the spiritual and pastoral leadership of St. Marcellinus, nestled in an industrial neighborhood in the City of Commerce. Ramos will be joined in his ministry by a ministry team as well as a sacramental team of priests: Fathers Bob Juarez, Bede Inekwere and Luis Valbuena.

To this point, others serving as parish life directors in the archdiocese have been women religious or deacons.

San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala, who presided at the bilingual installation Mass, emphasized that the installation of Ramos would ensure that St. Marcellinus would continue "to be a community of faith," and that under Ramos' leadership, assisted by parishioners, and the priests in the sacramental team, the faith will grow.

With his wife Stephanie and their six children looking on, Ramos made a statement of his commitment, was blessed by Bishop Zavala, and urged parishioners "to be a people of faith." Members of the parish leadership team, which play an important role as the parish transitions toward a parish life director, were also blessed and recognized for their role in the life of the parish.

Parish leadership team member Olinda Nava, who has known Ramos for the past nine years, shared, "We want to bring life and make dreams come true."

Another team member, Mary Lou McKeever, a parishioner for the past 24 years and former director of religious education, is one of several parishioners who carried additional responsibilities during a time when their pastor had been ill. Of the transition toward a parish life director, McKeever said, "I see Humberto as a man full of the Holy Spirit, a humble man, and I see that he is the right chosen one for our parish because he is very willing to do what he can to serve the people."

Bishop Zavala invited all in the parish family to the "full exercise of your baptismal rights and responsibilities." With the leadership of the pastoral team, he said, "you are invited to gather as a community of faith to be inspired by God's word; to partake of the Eucharist, to celebrate the sacred liturgy; to minister with, and for, each other; to collaborate with, and support, one another; and to discern and exercise the particular gifts and charisms for ministries which the Holy Spirit endowed each of you at baptism. Sharing and proclaiming one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, we are the Body of Christ, his Church."

The bishop then asked the parish community if they would offer "your presence, prayers, talents, and your support to Ramos and the pastoral team and to each other to build up the Body of Christ and to advance the Kingdom of God." All present said, "I do."

Ramos and the pastoral team then raised their hands in blessing as Bishop Zavala led a prayer of blessing, and the team promised to do the same for the whole parish community.