The Sisters of Notre Dame joined in the Mass of Thanksgiving at Mission Basilica San Buenaventura for its elevation to a minor basilica on Sunday, Dec. 19. Sr. Jan Marie Villalobos, Sr. Betty Mae Bienlein, Sr. Rebekah Kennedy and Sr. Anncarla Costello participated in the candlelight procession before the liturgy.
San Buenaventura Mission is located on the land of the coastal Chumash Native Americans. After the establishment of the mission the neophytes were known as Ventureño. The descendants of the coastal Chumash today are known as the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of (Chumash) Indians.
The procession started at the Chumash Hutash Festival Grounds with an opening invocation led by Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, Tribal Chair, and her family. This prayer and song was offered “to all our ancestors to bear witness in our hearts the goodness we are called to live.” Hundred of parishioners and church and civic leaders participated in this historic event.