Send CathInfo's owner Matthew a gift from his Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/25M2B8RERL1UO

Author Topic: Miracle in Midst of the Thomas Fire  (Read 1874 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Miracle in Midst of the Thomas Fire
« on: December 11, 2017, 11:09:03 PM »
https://weather.com/news/trending/video/iconic-cross-survives-brush-fire-in-california

Supposedly, this is the Cross of Father Junípero Serra y Ferrer, O.F.M

Re: Miracle in Midst of the Thomas Fire
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2017, 12:29:19 AM »
https://weather.com/news/trending/video/iconic-cross-survives-brush-fire-in-california

Supposedly, this is the Cross of Father Junípero Serra y Ferrer, O.F.M
Iconic Cross Survives Brush Fire in California
weather.com
An iconic cross that holds a commanding view of the sea survived the brush fire in Ventura, even though everything else around it burned.
.
A few years ago the liberals in the Los Angeles County administration behind closed doors decided to spend $20 million for the purpose of recalling all the official county seals so they could issue new ones, the only change being to REMOVE the small cross on the gable roof of the mission church shown in the Seal. They took that little cross off the seals in the court houses, county fleet vehicles, stationery, office  doors, road signs, and so on. They had all the new ones made and were in the process of taking down the old ones before it ever made it into the news, so no public discussion was held, and it was never put up for public vote.
.
So it cost $20,000,000 to remove the cross in LA County, but in Ventura (the next county north) it cost nothing to keep it.
.
         
                       Old Seal                                                           New Seal


Re: Miracle in Midst of the Thomas Fire
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2017, 12:41:05 AM »
.
http://noozeez.com/aclu-changes-california-history-by-having-flag-removed-by-los-angeles-country-flag/
[Typo in website address: "flag" should be cross, "country" should be county]

ACLU changes California history by having cross removed from Los Angeles County seal
by Cactus Williams/ April 8, 2016
.

.
US District Judge Christina Snyder ruled that the small cross on the official seal of Los Angeles County was unconstitutional, siding with liberal groups such as the ACLU and saying that it only allowed for a single religion to hold power, prestige, and the purse in the county. The problem is that this also changes the historical nature of the seal itself.
.
Quote
https://t.co/Awvg6gEWiW
Why does it feel like #christians are being persecuted now? #stupificationofamerica

— Paul Shin (@pshin79) April 8, 2016

The cross is on top of the San Gabriel Mission in the seal is historically correct. The reason that it’s included is because Franciscan missionaries from Spain were among the first settlers and were influential in the establishment of this territory. Removing the cross is changing the historical significance of this event. It’s not because of outward expression of religious superiority that the county is attempting to push onto those who do not share in the Christian faith. It’s a matter of not neglecting the historical accuracy of the county’s origins.
.
Removing the cross isn’t a direct attack against religious liberties. However, it’s a precedent that can be used to wipe all religious symbolism from anything that is associated with the government such as the use of the words, “In God We Trust,” on our currency. This ruling will be appealed and rightfully so. If history isn’t immune to the anti-religious machinations of the ACLU and their liberal cronies, nothing will stand up in court.

.

Re: Miracle in Midst of the Thomas Fire
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2017, 01:05:18 AM »
https://weather.com/news/trending/video/iconic-cross-survives-brush-fire-in-california

Supposedly, this is the Cross of Father Junípero Serra y Ferrer, O.F.M
.
This photo shows some of the nearby charred bushes with the famous cross in the background.
The left end of the crossarm appears shorter (perhaps burned shorter?) and jagged at the end:

.
.
.
Here is a closeup of the famous cross taken BEFORE the fire -- I can't find a closeup taken after the fire:

As you can see, it has been reinforced with angle braces and steel bolts, and the wood is very old and weathered.
It's the kind of thing that would burn very quickly in a raging fire -- all the more remarkable that it survived.

Re: Miracle in Midst of the Thomas Fire
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2017, 01:39:48 AM »
.
Generally speaking, the Mission Cross was always the first thing to be established at a new mission. Fr. Serra and his successors followed this tradition without fail. When the Cross was erected, that was the place where Mass was celebrated every morning until such time as a more protective structure was built, such as something with a roof on it. It took many months for plans to be approved in Spain before construction of the new Mission could begin, but all that time and all during the construction process, the Mission Cross was the central meeting place and the place where their prayers were said daily. Every California Mission that you visit (there are 21 of them from San Diego to San Francisco) has a Mission Cross as a prominent feature, and any tour you take or picture book you read will prominently show the cross, its location on the grounds map, and sometimes a brief description to go along with it. If you just walk in without asking or studying you might have a hard time guessing where the Cross is located, but sometimes it is prominently in front and you can't miss it, like at Mission Santa Barbara:
.
.
.
From a tourist guide website, "California Through My Lens":
.
Overlooking the city of Ventura stands an old rugged cross with a history that dates back to the founding of the city itself. Only ten years ago, the one acre that the cross is on was developed into the Serra Cross Park, which is part of the larger Grant Park in the city of Ventura. This park has become a frequently visited attraction for locals and travelers alike as it is a beautiful place to watch the sunset or just sit and enjoy the beautiful views over the city.

.

Details
  • Open: Sunrise to Sunset 
  • Ample Parking at the top
  • Can book events at the park

History

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782, Spanish missionary, Father Junipero Serra, founded Mission San Buenaventura. On the beach south of the present-day mission church, he blessed an area of land and planted a wooden cross. Mission San Buenaventura was the ninth in the series of California Missions to be founded by Father Serra, and it was his last. Serra stayed only three weeks before leaving for Santa Barbara.

Shortly after the Mission’s founding, a large wooden cross was planted on top of a hill overlooking the Mission church. This highly visible cross served as a road sign for travelers in search of the Mission. The cross has been lost to elements many times but it is always replaced and continues to stand above Venutra.

Serra Park

There is not a lot else to say about this park that wasn’t said above so I will just leave you with some of the photos I took there. It is a great place to stop and spend sometime just enjoying the beautiful California coastal views.
.
See photos on this page:

https://californiathroughmylens.com/serra-cross-park-ventura
.