La Misa Del Presidente celebrates the strong Fiesta ties with Santa Barbara’s Old Mission

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  -  The Santa Barbara Old Mission takes on a distinctive and colorful look this week during Old Spanish Days, but the altar setting for a special mass has a unique place in this year's event

La Misa del Presidente brought about 200 people into the mission for a 10 a.m. mass.
Many were in their Fiesta attire.
For the first time a mariachi band played during he service.

Father Larry Gosselin was especially moved by this year's there when talked about family connections.
He also just visited the midwest where he brought back a handmade broom as a gift to La Presidente Maria Cabrera and her husband Francisco.

He said never move into a new house without a new broom.  

Father Gosselin said this Fiesta was a new home for the Cabrera's and he said that meant they needed a new broom which he presented where they sat in the front row.

 Cabrera says, "it is the Franciscan hospitality that allows us to be here today."

 In between prayers, and the traditional mass, Father Larry Gosselin talked about his week, out on the town, hoping to inspire the Fiesta spirit for himself and others.

"I went into the Apple computer store and yelled Viva la Fiesta!' and they said "who the heck ?" he said.

At the receptions following the mass, Kathy  Ramirez-Gijon said, "definitely my favorite was being bilingual.  I am bilingual. Just seeing the Presidente saying how important it is to follow traditions and to understand the meaning of those traditions. That was really beautiful. I loved the Mariachi that was such  a treat, I didn't expect that.

Bill Carroll who lives here part time said, "being able to see the Fiesta brings me back to that time.  It was really nice to see where Santa Barbara came from."

His wife was making plans for the rest of her weekend too.
"We have tickets to the parade, we're going to  the rodeo on Sunday. We like to do De la Guerra plaza and go down to MacKenzie Park too!"