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.

Once again, a bill to legalize the practice of assisted suicide has been introduced in the California State Legislature, in the form of Senate Bill 128 (SB 128). 

This time, the bill has been announced in the Senate and is being authored by two democratic legislators:  Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel)*. 

Once more, this legislation will be vigorously opposed by a diverse group of organizations representing doctors, people with disabilities, faith-based organizations, hospitals, hospice, minorities, the poor and the uninsured.

Catholic social teaching tells us that we are created in the image of God; therefore, we hold life to be sacred from conception to natural death.  We believe that we are stewards—not owners—of our lives.  

As such, the California Catholic Conference remains steadfast in our opposition to assisted suicide and any attempts to legalize it, and therefore, strongly opposes SB 128.  Assisted suicide represents misguided public policy, which would have numerous detrimental implications for vulnerable people and impact our society negatively. 

Please ask your Senator to vote “NO” on SB 128.

*At its date of introduction, thirteen additional legislators were listed as co-authors to SB 128, including Senators: Hannah Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Marty Block (D-San Diego), Isadore Hall (D-Inglewood,) Lonnie Hancock (D-Berkeley), Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), and Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont); and they are joined by Assembly Members: Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), and Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley). 

Proponents continue to focus on emotional elements and ignore the very significant and dangerous policy implications of physician-assisted suicide. But the discussion must be much deeper and the potential consequences for the elderly, disabled and disenfranchised members of society from physician-assisted suicide made much clearer.

 However, Catholics – in their discernments on medical care – will benefit by a healthy understanding of what the Church really teaches. In 2011, the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops issued a statement entitled To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide. You will find links to this and other Church documents on our website and at the California Catholic Conference: http://www.cacatholic.org/

 "To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us," say the Bishops.

"Our society can be judged by how we respond to these fears. A caring community devotes more attention, not less, to members facing the most vulnerable times in their lives. When people are tempted to see their own lives as diminished in value or meaning, they most need the love and assistance of others to assure them of their inherent worth."

 The California Catholic Conference has a special section of the website for Catholics facing end-of-life decisions. "Embracing Our Dying" has answers to frequently asked questions, links to relevant teachings and Bishop's statements as well as resources parishes can use to explore the ethical and moral dimensions of end-of-life care.

 Please take advantage of these resources, especially if you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness.

To learn more about our parish ministries please review our Ministry Opportunities Booklet.

Help sustain the legacy of our historic Mission:  please remember San Buenaventura Mission in your will or Trust planning.

"Siempre Adelante: United in the love of God as a Mission Family."

Celebrating the Tear of Consecrated Life, thje Sisters of the Holy Cross will be honored Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the 9:00 AM Mass

The education of children at San Buenaventura Mission has flourished intermittently since 1829 and continuously since 1922. Holy Cross School at San Buenaventura Mission was founded by Father Patrick Grogan in 1922 and staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, hence the school's name. Initially the school opened with 239 students in grades one through eight in four classrooms. In 1925 it was expanded to accommodate growth and in 1949 a subsequent renovation brought the building out to Main Street (El Camino Real) with no space for further expansion. The Sisters of the Holy Cross served the school faithfully until 1995.

The second half of the twentieth century brought more growth, as well as wear-and-tear and obsolescence that far exceed spatial deficiency. In response to this situation, the Mission parish, under the leadership of Monsignor Patrick J. O'Brien, formed a Planning and Development Committee and in June 1994 hired the downtown firm of MainStreet Architects and Planners to prepare a conceptual master site plan for the Mission properties, incorporating the design of a new school and an adjoining multi-purpose building to serve both school and parish. This plan also necessitated the deconstruction of the Convent and the two remaining Holy Cross Sisters relocated to St. Catherine by the Sea convent, a short distance from the Mission.

The charism of the school today is a continuation of the founding Sisters of the Holy Cross. Their emphasis is on teaching compassion, faith and prayer to strengthen community. As an outreach of their ministry, the Sisters intermittently provide the school with novices who assist classroom teachers educating children. The Sisters also periodically support the school with substitute teachers.

During the season of Lent, The University Series™ offers more than 100 seminars connecting faith with real life in areas such as current events, contemporary moral issues, evangelization, faith and science, marriage and family, church history, scripture, prayer, and other priorities set by the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Synod. Sessions include multi-media presentations and always allow time for your questions. Some Spanish presentations are available.

The 2015 season will run February 19 - March 27 at 11 parishes that span the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Our faculty have extensive knowledge in their fields and love to teach. They include international authorities, priests, religious, professors, authors, lay people, and local favorites who are all passionate about helping students grow in knowledge and faith.

An affordable tuition per class ($5 during pre-registration or $8 at the door) allows each student/participant to bring a guest for free.

A Season Pass for all classes is available only during pre-registration for $85 (a $190 value!) and includes your guest. Remember: these special discounts end when pre-registration closes.  

The University Series strives for excellence because our Catholic faith deserves our very best efforts.

Specific presentations at the Mission include:

Visit The University Series website for further information:  click here.