The Church of the Assumption in Tomales celebrated their patronal feast day on Sunday, August 18. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone joined Father Juan Manuel Lopez for the annual celebration. Founded in 1860, the Church of the Assumption is the northernmost parish in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The day began with a procession from the center of town and included a statue of Our Lady of the Assumption. The Archbishop walked with parishioners to the Church of the Assumption while they sang songs in honor of the Blessed Mother. When the procession arrived at the church, Archbishop Cordileone led the group in prayer and blessed them with holy water.
Following the blessing, Archbishop Cordileone celebrated Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption. In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone spoke on the discipleship of our Lady and her ongoing role of forming the Church in discipleship of her Son, just as she supported and formed the Church with the Apostles after Pentecost.
Following Mass, the parish gathered for a reception that included songs in honor of our Lady, traditional dances from the Yucatán Peninsula, and family activities for children of the parish.
