Each morning for the past four years, San Gabriel Mission parishioner Greg Quioan makes a stop at the parish cemetery to visit his wife Milagros' gravesite. Retired now, he spends a few minutes in quiet prayer and then walks over to the parish Christian Service Center.

Married "for 50 years and 103 days," the native of the Philippines promised his wife Milagros (whose name in Spanish means "miracles") that he "would do something for others." Since his six children are no longer at home, says the center's director, "this is the little thing I can do for the blessings I have received in this country. I can do something productive as a Christian."

With teams of volunteers, Quioan distributes food, clothing, shoes and job assistance to about 200 people each month, not counting the many homeless who come by for food on a daily basis. The parish and neighboring Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua Church in San Marino provide nearly all of the food.

"It takes courage for people to come in and ask for food; you have to treat people with dignity," Quioan tells his volunteers. "If I were in their place, I would want someone to treat me well."

Such selfless volunteerism, compassion and generosity is a hallmark of San Gabriel Mission Parish whose mission statement proclaims parishioners "have been anointed in baptism and sent forth with compassion to witness to God's loving and liberating presence."

It also takes enormous teamwork to operate and maintain this 2,500-family parish, which encompasses two churches (the Chapel of the Annunciation and the old mission church), two schools (a parish grammar and high school) and two cemeteries (the one immediately next to the old mission church and a newer one with a columbarium).

Parish business manager Al Sanchez can be seen in all areas of the parish every day in what he calls his "retirement job. Even when I don't have to come, I like to," says the former telephone company employee. His main responsibility, "to keep the mission viable," is a fulltime position in which he oversees maintenance, works with parish and mission museum personnel, and assists Claretian Father Arnold Gonzalez, former pastor.

"It became a ministry," he says of his position. "It is just so rewarding and I have really enjoyed working with the priests. They are wonderful."

Of his fellow parishioners, Sanchez notes, "We have a large group of volunteers because these people love their parish. We have a lot of evangelizers."

That's essential in a tri-lingual parish (English, Spanish and Vietnamese) with nine Masses each Sunday, one Saturday vigil Mass, three Masses each weekday, and both the "chapel" and the mission church is constantly in use, plus meetings and events for over 65 groups in the parish.

Claretian Father Steve Niskanen, current pastor, says staffing can be a challenge, yet adds that the generosity of parishioners ensures that the historic parish, founded in 1771, remains strong and viable. "Our parishioners are sent forth with compassion especially for the poor and neglected in society," says Father Niskanen. "They have a heart for serving Christ in everyone they meet."

Adds Greg Quioan: "I wish I could find the words to describe how generous the people here are."