When Augustinian Recollect Father Joseph Gallardo, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, casually invited anyone interested in beginning catechesis to come to a meeting, the first thing many asked was, "Can we bring our families?" And 150 adults with children attended the first of six sessions.

"Family is first here," says St. Benedict School principal Frank Loya. The school has 600 children and is planning a pre-school for next year. "We go to the market together. A simple trip to the grocery store is a family event here."

The parish family drives the donations of food and clothing to the Social Services Center in the parish under the direction of Teresa Barajas. It drives the volunteers who serve 300-550 meals a month to the hungry in the area. It drives people like Minister to the Sick, Rosario Aguayo, one of 30 people who every day visit the homes of parishioners, hospitals and convalescent hospitals in the area, providing para-liturgical services, the rosary and simple visits to so many each week.

"It's all home style," says Father Gallardo. Catechesis and bringing the whole family, grandparents, children, aunts and uncles - everyone gets involved. As the parish delves deeper into designing a parish master plan, Father Gallardo would like to see the parish develop a gathering space next to the church, a place for families to come together. It has no such space at this time.

Last year, at the liturgy for the parish's Dia de la Hispanidad, the readings and music were a mix of Spanish, English, Italian and Tagalog. Some families in the parish speak Chinese, Armenian and Japanese in the home, as well. "Our parish is rich in many different cultures," says Father Gallardo.

Family life embraces how the wives of the two parish deacons work with their husbands in ministry. Rita Estrada, Deacon David's wife and a parishioner almost since birth, assists him in RCIA and at baptisms, funerals and liturgies, and is altar server coordinator and a Eucharistic minister.

"I think we have been driven and inspired by Vatican II," says Rita. "The excitement of who we are as people and keeping up with the documents has been important. In the parish we have shared a lot of our deaconate preparation in our ministries."

Alicia Castillo, wife of Deacon Alfonso, helps her husband with baptisms, RCIA and liturgical planning in Spanish. She is a Eucharistic minister and both belong to Movimiento Familiar Cristiano. "We work together all the time," says Alicia.

Rosie Lopez, administrative assistant for the last nine years, says she does "whatever is needed." It must be a family trait since her brother Joe is the moderator for the pastoral council, director of the 300-student confirmation program and works with the lectors in addition to raising his own family.

"The people in this parish are very generous," says Rosie. "They give to those in need and they give of their time to help others. I love my parish. There are a lot of good people here. It's just one people working together."

At age 18, Teresa Barajas attended a weekend Encuentro de Promocion Juvenil - a Cursillo experience - "and I promised to serve the Lord." She is now director of the parish Social Services Center, coordinating volunteers who provide meals, emergency assistance and visits to the home. "I think I have found my calling," says Teresa. "I spend countless hours working in the parish but I do it because at the end of the day I can say, 'I did what I was called to do.' I am excited about life."

None of this, she adds, would be possible without the support of Javier, her husband of 34 years. "I always say 'we,' not I," Teresa says. "If my husband did not support me, I wouldn't be able to do it."

"By coming to know each other, we come to love each other," says Father Gallardo. "I love the parish. And the priests of St. Benedict love the parish. The people are generous and give of themselves - not just their treasure but of themselves."