Milestone jubilees of 133 members of religious communities of women and men in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles were celebrated Jan. 28 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Each of the jubilarians --- having spent 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, or 75 years in a life of service and ministry to the church --- has "something to celebrate," in the words of Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark, homilist.

That "something" is "commitment," said Bishop Clark. "The church today needs these moments of jubilee," he said. "The church needs the jubilee to dance and celebrate with the Lord."

In ancient Jewish tradition, he noted, seven years of sabbatical preceded a 50th year of jubilee. The sabbatical was time of service to the poor and needy in the community. Bishop Clark also pointed out that in the African American community the term "jubilee" has referred to a time of "fellowship with each other and with God." Sunday's liturgy reflected jubilee.

Before the Mass, several jubilarians spoke of their joy in celebrating their many years of service to the church. Sister of St. Louis Celine Leydon, celebrating 60 years of religious life, said simply, "If I had it to do over again, I would."

Sister Leydon was sitting with other Irish-born Sisters of the Holy Faith celebrating 50 years each, Margaret Murtagh and Colette Connelly. Sister Margaret, who still ministers at Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School, said, "Like our foundress I'd like to think that we look upon it as an inestimable privilege to be in the service of the faith." Added Sister Colette: "It's 50 years of service in faith formation."

Josephite Father Alphonse Bongo, a 25-year jubilarian, entered the cathedral with two of his brother priests from Santa Maria. Recently he had been studying in Quebec recently and is now working in a parish and teaching some classes. Born in the Congo he speaks five African languages as well as French and English.

"I'm very grateful for the day," he said. "I accept all my community has planned for me."

At the beginning of the liturgy Cardinal Roger Mahony, the principal celebrant, welcomed the congregation to the cathedral and spoke directly to the jubilarians. Noting that the worship aide listed Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sheila McCarthy as the only 75-year jubilarian, he asked if she was present. She raised her hand and stood up smiling, ready to be congratulated. "You win the prize," he said.

Sister McCarthy entered religious life in March of 1932 and received the habit later that year. She had left the home of her Irish born parents and, as the oldest of seven children, entered the convent. (Her brother, Father Emmett McCarthy, served in the archdiocese for a number of years and was the founding pastor of St. Angela Merici Church in Brea.)

Of the five young women in her group who entered religious life in 1932, three made first vows and two final vows. Years later Sister McCarthy --- as the only one left in her group was teased by a friend using a line from the child's song "Farmer in the Dell": "And the cheese stands alone." She has often thought of that line, and even more so on Sunday as she realized that she was the only one present celebrating 75 years of religious life.

"I've had a happy life and I think I've done some good things," said Sister McCarthy with a twinkle in her eye. "I've had opportunities and I look forward to continuing as I've done, with God's blessing."

That twinkle in the eye and spirit of joy is much needed in the world today, Bishop Clark remarked in his homily on Sunday. He noted that "sometimes we forget to live with joy. We need to celebrate and stop arguing and get away from divisiveness. The poor need jubilee and it is through jubilarians that the poor have been touched. Let us dance with the Lord and sing with joy."

Along with honoring individuals, the Mass also offered an opportunity to honor religious communities celebrating milestones in 2007. They included:

---Benedictine Monks of St. Andrew's Abbey, 50th anniversary of foundation.
---Daughters of St. Paul, 75th anniversary of foundation in the U.S.
---Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, 200th anniversary of foundation.
---Sisters of the Company of Mary, 400th anniversary of foundation.

And, in this, the 800th anniversary year of foundation for the Dominican order, the following communities were acknowledged:

---Dominican Nuns of the Order of Preachers.
---Dominican Friars.
---Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose.
---Adrian Dominican Sisters.
---Dominican Sisters of Christian Doctrine.
---Dominican Sisters of Houston, Texas.
---Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
---Chinese Dominican Sisters.