A Mass that drew hundreds of parishioners past and present launched the start of a year-long 100th anniversary celebration at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena Jan. 31.

Cardinal Roger Mahony and San Gabriel Region Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala joined the participants who included Parish Life Director Cambria Smith; Msgr. Clement Connolly, pastor for the last 25 years and present Priest Minister; Msgr. Thomas McGovern, former pastor; and numerous priests who have served there.

Signs, and parishioners, proclaimed that all are indeed "welcome" in this spiritual home.

"During this year we will look back in deep gratitude to those who came before us and forward in loving preparation for those who will come after us," said Smith. "The cornerstone of this living, thriving, dynamic parish was put in place by the first parishioners 100 years ago. Those first parishioners, and their courageous pastor, came together as a community, overcoming the religious prejudices of the time. From those challenging beginnings, the founding parishioners and the generations that came after them hewed a parish that today remains vibrant in faith and passionate in its commitment to caring for those both within and without its boundaries."

During the liturgy, each of the parish's 11 baptismal registers was carried in procession and placed beneath the ambo. The day brought back many memories for Gene and Joanne Schwietz Peron, who carried the first register (for 1910-1951): Joanne was baptized at Holy Family in 1929, was one of the original students of the parish school, was married there to Gene in 1951, and sent their four children to the school.

"You couldn't have a more warm and loving parish than this one," said Joanne.

Founded with 75 families in 1910 with Father Richard J. Cotter as pastor, and 300 families at the time of the Great Depression, the parish has literally exploded in size to today's 3,500 families.

The parish began in a small cottage and shortly after parishioners built a bungalow structure. In 1927 construction began on the present church on Fremont Avenue and it was completed in two years, all during the Great Depression and built by 300 families in spite of the economic climate.

As the parish stretched itself and accepted challenges, it met the needs of the parish and it has grown, expanded, and today continues to welcome new parishioners. Few could have imagined 100 years ago the growth and vitality of this parish that last Sunday proclaimed "All Are Welcome."

It is also a parish that has adopted a collaborative mode of leadership with a parish life director working with a priest minister. Amazingly, in fact, for a century-old parish, there have been a relatively few number of leaders at Holy Family: Father Cotter (1910-21), Father Michael J. Galvin (1922-23), Father James B. Morris (1926-54), Father Leo Joseph Murphy (1954-71), Msgr. McGovern (1968-84), Msgr. Connolly (1984-2009) and now Cambria Smith, installed in 2009 as Parish Life Director.

In his homily, Cardinal Mahony --- referencing the day's prayers and readings --- noted that God has indeed "formed a people in the image of His Son."

"When God calls he uses mysterious ways and he calls us out of our complacency," the cardinal said. "We, too, are called to do the same --- to stretch our discipleship to new areas. You cannot stay still in an enterprise like ours."

Cardinal Mahony praised Msgr. McGovern for his leadership in the parish and Msgr. Connolly for his guidance in the development of lay ministries. Holy Family currently has 13 outreach groups, more than 20 community life groups, 29 education and faith formation groups, and 23 liturgical and worship groups.

Before the liturgy Msgr. Connolly commented, "We have gratefully inherited the courage, the faith and the vision of those who went before us, a tribute to the generosity, the belonging and the faith of yesterday's people who come alive in our community today. This inspires us to believe that in the power of the Holy Spirit great things are yet to come."

Again emphasizing Holy Family's open and welcoming atmosphere, Msgr. Connolly added, "Our prayer is to be an inclusive church and to emphasize the charisms of lay leadership."

Long-time parishioners William and Mary Fosselman are examples of dedication to outreach. Mary, who came to the parish in 1928 at the age of 8, worked for William's father in the family ice cream business. She married William in the parish church in 1944 and their four children attended the parish school. Mary still works in the parish food bank and William is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Discipleship at Holy Family Parish reaches to every area of the parish and beyond. Noting the parish's longstanding support of anti-poverty efforts in Haiti, Smith congratulated parishioners for their efforts on behalf of earthquake relief in the devastated island nation. To date, the parish has raised $366,000 to assist Haiti.

Other scheduled events throughout the centennial year include:

---Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m. Mass: Opening of the time capsule.

---May 10, 8 a.m. Mass: Founding Mass celebrating the 100th Year.

---May 15: Centennial Auction & Gala.

---June 5: "Music and Memories Under the Stars."