More than 400 people packed Our Savior Parish and USC Catholic Center Dec. 9 for its 50th anniversary Mass and celebration honoring the past and highlighting plans for a new student center and chapel expected to break ground next year.

Cardinal Roger Mahony presided at the concelebrated liturgy attended by an overflow crowd that included USC president Steven B. Sample and Assemblymember Mike Davis among the many dignitaries, students, alumni, faculty, friends, trustees and donors.

Guests included USC alumni attendees of the Newman Club predating the establishment of the parish in 1957, as well as a number of congregants who have attended Our Savior Catholic Center through the years. USC '57 alumna Kathleen McCarthy, USC trustee and Catholic Center advisory board member, whose mother Dorothy Leavey helped organize the center's dedication 50 years ago, lectored during the Mass.

"As we celebrate today this great Golden Jubilee, it gives us new enthusiasm for looking forward to the next 50 years. [You're] working on a project which will allow everybody to sit down," said Cardinal Mahony near the end of his Advent homily, eliciting laughter from the standing-room only congregants.

He pointed out the USC Catholic Center played "a very special role" during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Located near Olympic Village, it was a spiritual center for many of the athletes, hosting several ecumenical and interfaith services.

"It's been a great history, but it's just beginning. It began with the great founders who are here today with us, those who began way back, and it's continuing to grow and flourish over the years," said Cardinal Mahony, who added he looked forward to coming back for the new center's dedication.

Following the Mass, Father Lawrence Seyer, Our Savior pastor, commented on the great turnout by joking: "I think this proves God is a Trojan." Noting that a Catholic presence began on the campus with the Newman Club in 1923, Father Seyer said: "It's great to see how the parish is growing strong" in the USC community.

He introduced several priest graduates of USC in attendance, including Msgr. Gregory Cox, CEO of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles; Father Paul Spellman, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Los Angeles; and Msgr. Marc Trudeau, priest secretary to Cardinal Mahony.

"It's been an active parish here for 50 years," declared Father Seyer, who asked all who had received the sacraments of baptism, Holy Communion, confirmation or marriage at the Catholic Center to stand and be recognized. Alumni from different decades were also asked to stand for recognition.

In his remarks, USC president Sample said the Catholic Center provides a supportive "home away from home" for all students, not just Catholics. "It's a gathering place for the entire Trojan family, and for our neighbors," said Sample.

Pointing out that an increasing number of USC students are choosing to live on or near the campus, Sample said it's even more important to have a larger Catholic Center and chapel. "May God bless this center so that it uplifts and reaches the lives of many thousands of young people in the decades to come," said Sample.

USC '75 and '77 alumnus Joe Boskovich, USC Trustee and chair of the Catholic Center advisory board, noted that the center was opening the next chapter in its history with plans to build a "beautiful new home" on the parish site. According to Boskovich, $21 million has already been raised toward the $32 million cost of construction. The expanded center will include a European limestone church and bell tower and feature meeting spaces, a library, student lounge and courtyards.

"God willing, we'll be standing here a year from today breaking ground on a new chapel and student center," said Boskovich. Elizabeth Bade, USC '06 alumna who received the sacrament of confirmation at the Catholic Center, said the center has touched many lives and thanked all who provide financial support "to build a new and even more beautiful place for our students," said Bade.

USC '80 alumnus Rick Caruso, "The Grove" shopping mall developer and a major donor to the capital campaign, said he was blessed by his faith and his USC education, making it a "tremendous pleasure and honor to be able to say 'thank you'" by contributing toward the building of the new Catholic Center.

For information on the Catholic Center Capital Campaign, contact Clare Faulkner, campaign director, at (213) 749-5341. Visit the center on the web at www.catholictrojan.org.