The faith community of San Buenaventura Mission welcomes all who visit our historic Mission and who join us in our liturgical celebrations. Visitors are welcomed in a special way at Sunday Mass and receive a remembrance prayer card.  All are welcome at the Mission.

Time, talent and treasure! These three words are frequently associated with a faith community's commitment to Discipleship. It amazes me how many parishioners volunteer their time here at the Mission...for the greater glory of God.

Discipleship is putting to use the wise and responsible gifts God has entrusted to each of us. It is believing that God has created each one of us with unique abilities and attributes...including our personalities, interests, motivations, life experiences, talents and skills, hopes and dreams...which make us who we are. We are one-of-a-kind creations of God with unique contributions to make in this world.

Why is this important? Our lives have real meaning only when we use our gifts in accordance with God's Will. As we grow in discipleship, we grow in our relationship with God. We grow in our ability to hear and accept God's call and to let our life be guided by God's Will, not our own desires and impulses.

How can I be a good steward of my time and talents? In short, put God at the center of your life. We are provided with many opportunities each day to be good stewards. We just need to be aware of the choices we make and the significance of our decisions.

Pentecost is a call to arms, if you will, to be graced to go forth and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ...namely that we are loved, forgiven and redeemed.  The seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit are enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. They are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ but are found in all Christians who are in a state of grace. We receive them when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us—as, for example, when we receive a sacrament worthily. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, "They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them." Infused with His gifts, we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as if by instinct, the way Christ Himself would.  Click here to learn more about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

For those who are unable to join us personally, this website is designed to visually welcome you to our Mission community. Our parishioners will find many helpful references and links to facilitate communication ease and to build up the community of faith at San Buenaventura Mission.

Shalom, Fr. Tom

This year's "Walk to the Cross" was the largest since the tradition began in 1982 on the 200th Anniversary of the Mission.  More than 350 parishioners from the Mission and surrounding parishes attended the Holy Mass at the Serra Cross in Grant Park. 

The Walk began in the garden at the Mission, led by altar servers and the Old Mission Cross. 

In 1782 Father Junipero Serra founded the San Buenaventura Mission. Soon after, a large wooden cross was placed on a neighboring hillside as a guidepost for travelers. Over the years, the original cross and a series of replacements were lost to the elements, but locals never gave up. The current cross has stood atop its circular stone pedestal since 1941, and today the Preservation Trust and community volunteers are committed to maintaining and improving the park for everyone's enjoyment.

Make plans to attend next year on the first Saturday in May!