Priests, women and brothers in religious communities who have served the Church in Los Angeles were honored Jan. 25 at the annual Mass for Religious Jubilarians.

Cardinal Roger Mahony presided at the Mass, celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, for 124 religious jubilarians who have given 25, 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80 years of service.

Also acknowledged, "with joy and gratitude," were religious institutes celebrating jubilees of foundation or service to the people of the Archdiocese. They included the Congregation of the Holy Cross 95 years; Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, 85; Order of Augustinian Recollects, 80; Piarist Fathers, 60; Sisters of St. Louis, 60; Religious of Jesus and Mary, 60; Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, 55; Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Western Province, 55; and Sisters of the Pious Schools, 55.

In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis commented on the call to "total surrender to Jesus Christ" that was given to the disciples and today to women and men in religious communities. "You did not choose me," said Jesus. "I chose you."

"With that call," Bishop Solis said, "is a transformation of life. It is more than giving up or the sad images of sacrifice and loss. It is sharing God's life."

He called the jubilarians "modern day heroes" in their response of "fidelity, love and commitment. It all started in the simple response of your heart to God's invitation to follow him. By saying 'Yes' to God's call, you have become the living Apostles of Jesus in our world.

"Thank God for your call and commitment. You are truly a blessing to our church and community."

The golden jubilarians included Missionary of the Sacred Heart Father Timothy Cahalane, who recalled that "50 years ago this day I was present at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls when Pope John XXIII said there would be a new Council. This very day!"

At the time a deacon about to be ordained, Father Cahalane --- in a brogue reflecting his County Cork heritage --- said, "I came home and told people what happened, and they said I was 'pulling their legs.' We thought the pope would re-open the first Vatican Council which had closed in 1870, but in fact he said that he would actually close that and open a new one which we know now was Vatican II."

His 50 years of priesthood, he added, have been "a wonderful life. I never regretted it." He taught at his own seminary in County Cork and at the University of Cork, and later at St. John Seminary in Camarillo.

"You know, when you are a teacher, you never give up teaching," Father Cahalane said. "You just teach everybody you meet. It's been a great life and I wouldn't have any other."

Currently in residence at St. John Baptist de la Salle, Granada Hills, he celebrated Mass at the parish that morning, and often celebrates two Sunday Masses as well as weekday Masses. "I've got my boots on," he added. "I don't take them off."

Carmelite Sister Patrocinio Gonzalez, celebrating 75 years of religious life, reflected fondly on working in the manor associated with Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte. "For the 75 years that I worked for the Lord, I worked for the people," said the nun from Atoninilco, Mexico. "Every patient I treated, I loved them --- the children and the elderly --- and I am very grateful to God that I reached 75 years working for Jesus."

Christian Brother John Montgomery, principal of Los Angeles' Cathedral High School, said that when he first joined his order 25 years ago, "I didn't think I was joining religious life - I think I was joining the Christian Brothers. Only later did I realize that religious life has much more meaning when you are really being at the service of others. And that has made my life enjoyable - specifically being involved in schools with young people has been very fulfilling. The 25 goes by very fast."

The highlight for Brother John has been his daily contact with young people. "It isn't the big events that we may have in the operation of a school," he said. "It's in touching the hearts of students."

His greatest joy is seeing a young person deal with issues and problems, persevere with the support of others, "and then be able to say 'thank you' when he graduates. You know when you see tears in his eyes, for a young boy to do that, you know you have touched him more than teaching him history or math or science. You know that you have touched his life. That what makes it meaningful."