La Misa del Presidente Ties a Religious Message to Old Spanish Days Theme

The sound of bells ringing at the Santa Barbara Old Mission welcomed dignitaries from Old Spanish Days, guests and members of the public to a special mass for Fiesta 2016.

Many of those attending La Misa del Presidente wore traditional Fiesta attire.

This year’s El Presidente JC Gordon and his family were part of the processional.

Father Larry Gosselin gave the sermon connecting the ocean to the land as part of this year’s Fiesta theme, “Santa Barbara: The Coastal Frontier.” He said the community has a unique place where the ocean and the land can be connected so closely and the public can share the same bond.

After the mass a reception was held in the mission courtyard where juice, cookies and fruit were served.