Irish spirits will be especially high at Mission Santa Ines on Sunday evening when its annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner gets underway. This year, the popular dinner will serve as the official kick-off for the Capuchin Franciscans’ 100-year celebration of the Western America Province and their Irish Heritage. Events to commemorate the centennial are planned to take place at the Mission throughout the year.
Underlying the celebration of the Capuchins in the Western United States is an emphasis on vocations to the order dedicated to the teachings of St. Francis. Throughout February, the statue of Our Lady of Angels Mother of Vocations was housed at the Mission in honor of vocations to the Capuchin order. The statue was recently taken to San Lorenzo Prayer Center in Santa Ynez where it will reside until May.
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day dinner will feature a tasty corned beef and cabbage meal prepared by El Rancho Market along with guest speakers the Rev. Peter Banks, the Capuchin Vocations Director and the Rev. Bob Barbato, former pastor at the Mission and now Guardian at San Lorenzo Prayer Center. Lively entertainment will be provided by Willie and his Irish Girls (formerly of the Foggy Dew Irish Band). Tickets for the dinner are available at the Mission Office only. This event is always a sellout. Tickets will be sold at the door if still available for $20 per person.
In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Old Mission Santa Ines carries on its tradition of holding “Soup Suppers” each Wednesday evening during the season of Lent. The suppers feature speakers on topics relating to the Capuchin order and the spirit of St. Francis. On Wednesday, March 17, the Rev. Gerald Barron, OMSI Pastor, will speak about Albert Bibby, the first Capuchin priest to serve at the Mission. The following Wednesday, March 24, he will speak about the Capuchin’s mission outreach to Mexico.
Events celebrating the Capuchin centennial of the Western America Province at Old Mission Santa Ines and the San Lorenzo Prayer Center have been planned for the entire year by the Centennial Committee, a group of volunteers headed by Wayne Natale, local realtor and active member of the San Lorenzo Prayer Center.