Vikki Kuklo, a volunteer at San Antonio Mission
By BARBARA STARKEY
Some of the most amazing, loving and exciting stories come from men and women who visit and or volunteer at the Mission San Antonio de Padua. Over the years since I have been writing for the Mission I have met some of these wonderful volunteers. One I have not met but only heard about is Heather Kuklo whom I will write about now telling of her mission to the Mission.
Heather is the Director of Mission Trips at a Christian church in the small community of Meadow Vista. Meadow Vista is just east of Sacramento. Heather led 7 of her church volunteers to Jolon for a 3 day stay to do back-breaking, hands on work as directed by Joan Steele, the Missions Administrator.
Joan had them committed to repairing the Fiesta Grounds in no time at all after she heard of their volunteer mission. Together with some help from the Mission staff, these 8 people set out to accomplish a 3 day miracle before their return to Meadow Vista
“The work was hard and tedious, but we accomplished our goal. Teamed with the Mission volunteers we scraped and painted until we wore ourselves out each day” Heather commented. She continued “there is no earthly glory in scraping over a hundred 24 foot benches by hand but I would do it all over again just to be at the Mission and to fellowship with those that are there. It was our hearts that were filled with blessings each day. We had gone to bless them but it was us that went away feeling like we received the better end of the deal.”
Heather’s first impression of the San Antonio Mission upon arriving was that it could be a scene from a Clint Eastwood movie. But she noted that upon entering the large arched entrance, laid with tile worn smooth from decades of use, a surreal whisper of angelic music filled the air. It was coming from the sanctuary and she continued on to find herself in the beautiful rose garden. The grand old Spanish fountain flowed in the center of the garden as men silently tended the roses and fruit trees in the morning sun. Peace and tranquility prevailed!
Heather said,” I was overwhelmed by its beauty but it wasn’t until I began to speak with the volunteers during my visit that I was really compelled to want to come back. Their love and dedication to others and the Mission was so easy to see. I heard it in their voices and saw it exemplified in their works. It is more than a place of history, it is a place of purpose that I quickly identified with and was compelled to give back to.”
The Mission lies in wait for teams of volunteers to descend to dress it in all its finery as preparations are made for the Mission Days, April 14th and the Mission Fiesta, June 10, 2012. In the meantime Deborah Mills, Monterey Countyu Agricultural Commission and a landscape designer is leading a restoration of the old rose plants in the Pader's Garden. It will be a learning experience for volunteers. Call her at 805-712-0203 for more information. Or visit her webside for the Mission Garden at http://missionsanantonionroses.blogspot.com. .
With this history in our own back yard many people have been inspired to make a contribution in monetary or volunteer form to keep the Mission open. People come from around the world to be inspired by it but it takes
many people participating to find the means to keep it safe and available.
The Campaign For The Preservation of Mission San Antonio de Padua is looking for 12 million for the retrofit program to be completed.
