News Release

For Immediate Release DATE 12/31/2003

Contact: Kevin J. Drabinski
Director of Communications
Diocese of Monterey
831/373.2919 or
805/541.5963

SAN MIGUEL MISSION STATEMENT

Mission San Miguel, San Miguel, CA. – Kevin J. Drabinski, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Monterey, released the following statement today.

In the interest of public safety the church and adjacent structures at San Miguel Mission remain closed.

The County of San Luis Obispo red-tagged the church property on 28 December 2003 meaning that it cannot be occupied. Our team of professional engineers and architects continue to carefully evaluate the earthquake damage. The architects and engineers are expected to complete their initial report in a few weeks time.

It is our hope that the San Miguel Mission will be re-opened. However, out of an abundance of caution we will await the report of our professionals before making any decision.

While the church remains closed masses will be celebrated at Casa San Miguel located at 14th and Mission Streets. Mass is celebrated weekdays at 7 a.m.; Saturday at 9 a.m. with confessions at 9:45 a.m.; Sunday mass is celebrated in English at 7 and 11 a.m. and in Spanish at 6 p.m. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment