By Mary Powers
On a cool, sunny, summer morning, residents and visitors in Tomales, California, were surprised and captivated by the procession moving from the far end of town to the Church of the Assumption.
A couple eating at the outdoor café was excited to learn that not only was the procession for the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but that Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone was celebrating the event. Cellphones came out to capture the moment and to send to family.
Others stuck in cars as they waited for the procession to pass asked about the nature of the “parade.” When I explained the procession and the feast day, the visitors remarked, “Wow!” and “That’s so cool.”
The annual celebration for the small Church of the Assumption brings guests from all over the Bay Area – from Sunnyvale to Santa Rosa. Built in 1963, the church was named after the mother church of the Archdiocese—the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.
Following the procession on Sunday, August 10, Archbishop Cordileone blessed those present and celebrated Mass for the solemnity of the Assumption. In his homily, he spoke on the discipleship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her ongoing role of mothering disciples, just as she supported and formed the Church with the apostles after Pentecost.
Following Mass, parishioners 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.
Photos: Mary Powers
