California Mission Studies Association INFORMATION BULLETIN
Number 1, May 1984
California Mission Studies Association: A Reality
David Hornbeck
Department of Geography
California State University
Northridge 91330
On January 14, 1984, a new statewide cooperative organization was formed and an interim name chosen, California Mission Studies Association. Individuals from throughout the state met at Mission San Juan Capistrano to decide upon a general format and structure for the first year of operation. In addition during this meeting an Executive Board was selected by the attendees: Father Paul Martin, pastor of Mission San Juan Capistrano; Nicholas M. Magalousis, Chapman College; David Hornbeck, California State University, Northridge, and Edna Kimbro, Adobe Coalition, Santa Cruz. Committee chairpersons were later asked to become full members of the Executive Board: Kenneth Pauley, California State University, Northridge; Robert Hoover, California Polytechnic State University; Frank Ducey, Docent, Mission San Juan Capistrano.
I would like to report that the Board is comprised of extraordinary individuals who are dedicated, energetic, knowledgeable and share your interest in the California Missions and all facets of the Spanish Period in California. With your support the Association will flourish and be in a position to assist Missions (private and state owned) in preservation and development of resources in order to educate and enjoy. The key to success of the Association is quite simple, cooperation, organization and friendly productive communication between all parties concerned.
The reality of this association is that there was, and is, a need in California Mission Studies to communicate and cooperate with colleagues of all types in order to more accurately conduct research and disseminate information to the scholarly community and general public. The membership directory now notes approximately 300 individuals and it is most impressive to see the diversity of specialties and interdisciplinary composition of our group. The Association has progressed rapidly and accomplished a great deal since January 14, 1984, the following are a few of the advances: (1) We now have a statewide membership directory which was mailed to you in March and another which is being computerized; (2) A joint symposium was held in March, sponsored by the Society for California Archaeology and the California Mission Studies Association. We must thank Robert Edwards and Edna Kimbro for organizing our sessions; (3) A newsletter is being developed by Dr. Hornbeck which you may expect in November, 1984. Prior to November, you will receive information on procedures for submitting articles, news shorts and other sections of the Newsletter; (4) Our January, 1985 Symposium is being organized by Edna Kimbro, Dr. Hornbeck and other C.M.S.A. members. The initial plan is to have lectures and workshops during the various sessions. We have been invited to hold this Symposium at Mission San Jose and we appreciate this kind offer. We have also been invited to hold the 1986 Symposium at Mission San Buenaventura and the 1987 Symposium at Mission San Fernando; (5) Committee Chairpersons have been active in various organizational tasks: Father Martin, Chair, Religious Concerns; Dr. Hoover, Chair, Material Culture; Dr. Pauley, Chair, Documentation; Mr, Ducey, Chair, Financial Concerns; Dr. Hornbeck, Chair, Outreach; and myself, Executive Board and Museums; (6) The Financial Concerns Committee is attempting to secure grants for various C.M.S.A. projects.
Support for the newly formed association has been impressive and I would like to express> special appreciation to Father Polzer and Dr. Fontana of the Southwestern Mission Research Center, University of Arizona for their kind advice and cooperation.
It was felt that you might like to read excerpts from several letters of support that the Association has received.
"I want you to know that I am very interested in the project and I will be happy to cooperate."
Msgr. I. Brent Eagen
"I am greatly supportive of the concept of such an organization, but think the way it is named is very limiting. Any cultural remnants from the "Mission Period" should be included."
Robert Edwards
"Perhaps your having formed such an association will inspire people in New Mexico and Texas to follow suit."
Dr. Bernard Fontana
"As a historian I have often found that missing pieces to historical puzzles are often just down the road at the next Mission. This would be a wonderful opportunity to fit together the fascinating story of the Alta California Missions in addition to providing a way to store information on pressing problems of the modem era."
Pamela Hallan Gibson
"I would appreciate it very much if you would keep me informed on the activities of the California Mission Studies Association."
Father Francis Guest, O.F.M.
"I strongly support the concept of a Mission Studies Network in California."
Dr. Robert Hoover
"The list of people who are expressing support is substantial and including many of the leaders needed to put the plan into action. I will personally be happy to assist you in whatever way I can.
Dr. Clement Meighan
"This office is very supportive of your project and will do whatever we can to be of assistance."
Dr. Knox Mellon
"First of all, let me commend the concept expressed in your letter of June 29."
Dr. Doyce Nunis, Jr.
"I was delighted to receive your letter regarding the possibility of establishing a Mission Studies Network."
Msgr. Patrick O'Brien
"Father Michael Norbett and I had a very positive reaction to your proposal. An interchange of ideas among those responsible for and interested in the care and preservation of the Missions would be invaluable to all."
Lorelei Corcoran Schwabe
If you would like to contribute to the newsletter or express your interests and concerns about the California Mission Studies Association please forward mail to:
California Mission Studies Association c/o Father Paul Martin, Mission San Juan Capistrano Museum, P.O. Box 697, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693
or
California Mission Studies Association, c/o Nicholas M. Magalousis, Department of Anthropology, Chapman College, Orange,. CA 92666
or
California Mission Studies Association Newsletter
co/of Dr, David Hornbeck
Department of Geography
California State University
Northridge, California 91330
MISSION CALENDAR
MISSION SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA will celebrate the anniversary of its founding, July 16, 1769, on July 13-15 of this year. The three day fiesta will conclude with a concelebrated Mass with The Most Reverend Leo I. Maher, Bishop of San Diego as principal celebrant.
Rev. Msgr. I. Brent Eagen, Pastor
MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE PALA has two events occurring this summer and fall. The first is our Corpus Christi Fiesta which is always celebrated on the first Sunday in June. The Fiesta begins with an outdoor Mass and is followed by a procession through Pala Village. The second event is the St. Francis Festival, always held on the first Sunday of October. All are invited.
Rev. Gino Doniney, mccj. Pastor Protem
MISSION SAN GABRIEL will hold a fiesta to celebrate the 213th anniversary of the Founding of San Gabriel on August 31 to September 2. On September 8, the original founding date of the mission, there will be a special Mass of Thanksgiving for the many years of life that the mission has had. This will also be a commemorative Mass honoring Fr. Junipero Serra commemorating the 200th anniversary of his death. Following the Mass there will be a special presentation of Fr. Serra and his Fr. founder St. Francis of Assissi.
(Fr.) Arnold Gonzalez, CMF
MISSION SANTA INES will hold its Annual Old Mission Fiesta on August 11 and 12.
(Fr.) Cyril Kelleher, OFM CAP, Pastor
MISSION LA PURISIMA has an exciting program of events scheduled for this summer. There will be a Craft Day at the Docent Room on June 13 and Mission Life Days are scheduled for June 2
4, July 21, and August 18.
Robert Hoover, Professor, Anthropology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
MISSION SAN MIGUEL will have a barbecue-fiesta commemorating the founding of the Mission on September 16, This year marks the 187th anniversary of the mission. The barbecue is top sirloin steak with all the trimmings. There are games and entertainment and the hours are from 12:00 to 4:00.The complete dinner is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.
Father Reginald McDonough, O.F.M.
MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA is celebrating its 204th anniversary of its founding with a special Mass at 11 a.m. followed by a fiesta and barbecue from noon until 3 p.m. Spanish music and dancing throughout the afternoon...
Rev. Joseph La Rue, O.F.M.
MISSION SAN JOSE is having "Mission Days" held annually the weekend closest to June llth, the founding date of the mission. This year's dates are June 9th and 10th. The event is sponsored by the Committee for Restoration of Mission San Jose. Free live entertainment, mountain men, crafts and a barbecue lunch are highlights of the event. All proceeds of "Mission Days" go toward mission restoration fund.
Lorelei Corcoran Schwabe, Curator
MISSION SAN FRANCISCO SOLANO, a sub unit of Sonoma State Historic Park, has one annual special event. This is the two day Vintage Festival, long a Sonoma Valley tradition. There is the "Blessing of the Grapes" ceremony held in front of the church. This occurs at 9:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of September. This is followed in the mid-afternoon by a mock wedding in which is re-enacted the betrothal in 1861 of Count Agostin Haraszthy's two sons to two daughters of General Vallejo. The reception and colorful folk dancing occur in front of the mission. This mock wedding is repeated on the following afternoon as a part of the traditional Vintage Festival activity.
Patrick B. Watkins, Area Manager
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
Since our meeting in January, we have received a considerable mount of nformation concerning mission activities taking place this summer. Most of this is timely and would be out of date if it was held for inclusion in the first issue of the CMSA Newsletter scheduled for publication in the Fall of 1984. Therefore, the CMSA Information Bulletin was created to disseminate timely information and hopefully, will be used in the future to respond to the memberships needs that cannot be satisfied by the regularly scheduled Newsletter. The IB will be an irregular publication with a floating format and will appear only when the need arises.
The CMSA Newsletter is still in the planning stage, with a few details to be worked out, i.e. format, type style and size, and length. If you have any suggestions please send them to me. One of the major concerns with the Newsletter is content. I want to encourage all of you to take a few minutes to write down some of your thoughts concerning what you would like to see in the Newsletter and send them to me. A few of the ideas suggested so far are:"Docents Corner," "Spanish Translation," "Mission Events," "Mission Publications," "Archaeological News," "Restoration & Preservation," "Future Meetings," and 'Education." One idea we would like to pursue is to print business cards, for a small fee, of firms engaged in consulting or other activities relating to California Missions or Hispanic California. If you have a business and would like to advertise in the Newsletter, please send three of your business cards to me, along with $15.00.
1 would like to thank all of you for your support of the CMSA and encourage you to contribute to the Newsletter.
David Hornbeck