St. Mel Parish was established in 1955 under the leadership of Monsignor Michael J. O'Connor, pastor. At that time, the parish numbered 415 families. In the early days, liturgy was celebrated in a variety of settings including the Tarzana Women's Club House and the Canoga Park Theater.

Construction soon began on a church, an eight-classroom school, auditorium, convent and rectory. During this time, 13 different guilds were formed corresponding to the various geographic areas. These groups served to deepen community bonds, to promote an outreach program, to strengthen social ties, and to facilitate fundraising. On Sunday, May 18, 1958, the first liturgy was celebrated by the faithful of St. Mel in their new church.

The school, staffed by the Immaculate Heart Sisters, opened its doors in February 1956 to 700 students. When the Sisters of St. Louis took over the school in September 1958, the enrollment had jumped to nearly 900 students in the eight classrooms with children attending double session school days. This crowded situation continued until the mid 1960's when nearby St. Bernadine Parish was formed. At about that time, an additional 12 classrooms were built for St. Mel School, including a library, health office, and math/science rooms. A computer lab, remedial reading lab, and teachers' lounge were added in 1983 and in September, 1992, an after school care program was initiated to be of service to parents whose children attended St. Mel School. By 1992, the entire school was air conditioned.

St. Mel School of Religion was established in 1957 to address the needs of children not attending St. Mel School. The program was set up to provide a process of faith development for our young people. In 1974, the St. Mel Assistance League was established to bring comfort to the sick and the lonely. Programs were also set up for young adults and for senior citizens in the parish.

In 1984, Monsignor O'Connor retired as pastor of St. Mel Parish, and Monsignor John Naughton was appointed as his successor. Under his guidance, established programs and activities continued to flourish and strong lay leadership emerged. In 1986, an adult education program was set up to assist parishioner in faith formation, scripture studies, retreats, and sacramental preparation. Additionally, the RCIA and RENEW Programs were established to facilitate exploration of the Catholic faith and the development of a closer relationship with Christ. Monsignor Naughton also saw the need to expand the concept of pastoral care and established Eucharistic Ministers to the sick and homebound and to patients in local hospitals. To accommodate the growing demands for ministries at all levels, Monsignor Naughton gave leadership to the building of a parish center in 1989. A private chapel was built, offices were removed from the rectory, and additional living quarters provided.

Due to failing health, Monsignor Naughton retired as pastor of St. Mel in 1990, and Monsignor Padraic Loftus assumed pastoral responsibility. Monsignor Loftus established a Steering Committee whose tasks were to: prepare a Parish Mission Statement in consultation with the people of St. Mel; establish bylaws for a Pastoral Council; and through a process of prayerful discernment to select it's respective members. One of the first tasks of the newly formed Pastoral Council was to meet with various groups in the parish, and through prayerful reflection, identify the most critical needs of the parish community and how they might address those needs.

Reflections input from various groups resulted in the development of eight goals on which St. Mel Parish would concentrate its efforts:

• Develop a vibrant adult education program that responds to the needs of parishioners for a deepening of their spiritual lives, an understanding of liturgical renewal, an understanding of today's church and an exploration of current moral/religious issues. This program will include education geared to young married couples and to families.
• Set up structures and activities that facilitate our being a welcoming community to one another and to new parishioners/guests.
• Move towards the development of small faith communities (geographic or commonality of interests).
• Develop youth ministry programs with social and spiritual focus; identify person(s) willing to make a commitment to ministering to youth.
• Develop a multifaceted young adult ministry with social, educational, spiritual and outreach elements to meet the needs of young married couples and singles.
• Develop an outreach program to inactive and alienated Catholics.
• Develop vibrant/participative liturgies with homilies relevant to everyday life, music fully integrated into the liturgy, and participants brought to consciousness of the Word come alive; encourage teens to become actively involved in liturgy.
• Develop structures and activities that facilitate our response as a faith community re: justice/moral issues and the poor in our community.

In January 1994, the devastating Northridge earthquake caused significant damage to the church building as well as to homes of many parishioners. It became necessary to have a capital campaign to enable the rebuilding of the church. The campaign ultimately became focused not only on the church structure, but on all that gives life to our parish community. Thus, plans were broadened to include an Activity Center, improvements to the school, and a Pre-School for three to five year olds, so as to respond to the pastoral needs identified earlier.

As we develop strategic action plans to carry us into the future, we pray that Spirit of wisdom and love will continue to guide us.