SACRED SERVICES
The Choir and the Corner Stone
More than 1000 people crowding on the sidewalks and into the churchyard witnessed the impressive ceremonies incidental to the laying of the cornerstone of the new church of St. Bernard de Sienna parish which took place Friday morning.
The ceremonies were in charge of Bishop T. J. Conaty of the diocese of Los Angeles and Monterey, and were beautifully impressive. They opened with the blessing of the cross which will be placed on the church altar by the bishop. Then the eighty-third Psalm was chanted and this was followed by a prayer of blessing for the cross. The "Miserare" psalm was next chanted and several other psalms followed this.
While the bishop, surrounded by a number of priests silently looked on the corner stone was dropped into place.
Prior to the ceremonies incident to the laying of this corner stone there were several impressive features. The Catalina band heading a procession of girls and boys of the church, marched around the corner of Fifth and F. strets [sic] playing national airs. The girls were dressed in white, which had been draped with blue and red ribbons.
Earlier in the morning high mass had been celebrated at the old church in the presence of the bishop. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Florian Hahn, and he was assisted in the ceremony by Rev. Fr. McGrath of Arlington, Rev. Fr. Cain of Riverside and Rev. Fr. T. J. Fitzgerald of
Redlands, and Rev. Fr. John Brady. Rev. Fr. Francis Conaty, secretary to the bishop, was master of ceremonies and he was assisted by Rev. Fr. Blackwell of the local parish.
Prior to the opening of the corner stone ceremonies, a specially erected grand stand had been filled with members of the Princess' court, the members of the Spanish court and members of the committees besides the Centennial officials and several city officials.
Shortly after 9 o'clock the procession of priests, headed by altar boys and Rev. Fr. Blackwell marched solemly [sic] to the corner stone and surrounding it commenced the ceremony. Acting as escorts to the bishop were Rev. Frs. Kirk, Brady and Fahey.
More than 1000 people crowding on the sidewalks and into the churchyard witnessed the impressive ceremonies incidental to the laying of the cornerstone of the new church of St. Bernard de Sienna parish which took place Friday morning. The ceremonies were in charge of Bishop T. J. Conaty of the diocese of Los Angeles and Monterey, and were beautifully impressive. They opened with the blessing of the cross which will be placed on the church altar by the bishop. Then the eighty-third Psalm was chanted and this was followed by a prayer of blessing for the cross. The "Miserare" psalm was next chanted and several other psalms followed this. While the bishop, surrounded by a number of priests silently looked on the corner stone was dropped into place. Prior to the ceremonies incident to the laying of this corner stone there were several impressive features. The Catalina band heading a procession of girls and boys of the church, marched around the corner of Fifth and F. strets [sic] playing national airs. The girls were dressed in white, which had been draped with blue and red ribbons. Earlier in the morning high mass had been celebrated at the old church in the presence of the bishop. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Florian Hahn, and he was assisted in the ceremony by Rev. Fr. McGrath of Arlington, Rev. Fr. Cain of Riverside and Rev. Fr. T. J. Fitzgerald of , and Rev. Fr. John Brady. Rev. Fr. Francis Conaty, secretary to the bishop, was master of ceremonies and he was assisted by Rev. Fr. Blackwell of the local parish. Prior to the opening of the corner stone ceremonies, a specially erected grand stand had been filled with members of the Princess' court, the members of the Spanish court and members of the committees besides the Centennial officials and several city officials. Shortly after 9 o'clock the procession of priests, headed by altar boys and Rev. Fr. Blackwell marched solemly [sic] to the corner stone and surrounding it commenced the ceremony. Acting as escorts to the bishop were Rev. Frs. Kirk, Brady and Fahey.
Before the laying of the corner stone a number of articles were placed in it among which were the attest of the bishop, containing the names of church officials and pastors, also the State and National officials and the history of the valley written by Father Juan Cabelleria and a list of members of the Altar society, the L. B. C. A., the Knights of Columbus and a number of other articles.
After this ceremony had been completed, the bishop and several of the priests mounted a specially erected platform which had been prettily draped with purple and white bunting.
Father John Brady
Then Bishop Conaty made the address for the occasion. Before opening his remarks he made the statement that he wished to thank all who had assisted in making the erection of the church possible. He also asked for a generous offering with which to help support the church and announced that the silver trowel used in laying the stone, would be presented to the person contributing most liberally.
Handsome gold and white colored buttons bearing a picture of the church as it will look when completed and of its pastor, Rev. John Brady, had been gotten out specially for the occasion and a song specially written, entitled "Hail, the Twentieth Day of May." was sung by a chorus of young people during the services.
Among the priests who were present were the following: Rev. Edward H. Brady,
Rev. Edward Kirk, Rev. Thomas Fahey, Rev. James Gilroy, Rev. Paul Dillon, Rev. Peter J. O'Reilly, Rev. P. H. McDowell, and Rev. J. .J. Clifford, all of Los Angeles.
Rev. M. Golden of San Diego, Rev. P. J. McGrath of Arlington, Rev. Francis J. Dubbell of Anaheim, Rev. G. G. Frund of Bakersfield, Rev. B. Florian Hahn, M. A. of Banning, Rev. George Doyle of Pala, Rev. William Power of Coronado, Rev. James O'Neill of Glendale, Rev. Patrick Brady of Hollister. Rev. James Reardon of Long Beach, Rev. J. J. Sheehy of Monrovia, Rev. Gratian Ardens of Montebello, Rev. F. K. Becker of Ontario, Rev. William F. Quinlan of Pasadena, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald and Rev. Michael Scanlon of Redlands, Rev. S. F. Cain of Riverside, Rev. Andrew Resa, C. M. F., of San Gabriel, Rev. Gustave Flamenco of San Gabriel, Rev. William Hughes of San .Jacinto, Rev. Michael Conneally of San Pedro.
Laying the Cornerstone of the New Catholic Church of San Bernardino de Sienna
The parish committees in charge of the cornerstone laying this morning were:
Executive---Mrs. A. L. Mespelt, chair; Mrs. Richard McInerny, Mrs. Charles Longmire, Mrs. R. .J. Ochs, Mrs. George F. Hewins.
Decoration and Reception Committee---Mrs. A. L. Mespelt, chairman; Mrs. J. C. Huber, Mrs. Charles Longmire, Mrs. R. McInerny, Mrs. S. J. Hennessy, Mrs. Timothy McInerny, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. George F. Hewins, Miss Marie Geissel, Miss A. Sacramella, Miss Minnie McQuilkin, Mrs. George Brooks, Mrs. S. Mecham, Mrs. Martin Kohl, Mrs. J. J. Johnston, Mrs. Teresa Corcoran.
Committee on Parade and Public Safety---George F. Heavens, chairman; Andrew Thompson, A. L. Mespelt. J. C. Huber, Joseph Jager, Mrs. Poser, Hugh Muldowney, Richard McInerny, John Linderman, Timothy McInerny, Frank Schmalhefer, John Scanlon, James Murray, William Cullen, W. Engelauf. ,T. C. Belarde, Charles Longmire, Patrick Donahue.
Collection Committee---S. J. Hennessy, chairman; J. F. Parker, M. J. Coughlin, C.J. Hofstetter, J. M. Oberly, W. R. Zimmerman, George Geissel, Al Gabel, W. R. Bowes, M. Farrington, Richard McInerny, R. J. Ochs, J. J. Sullivan, W. E. Byrne, N. Davenport, Jr., of Colton; A. L. Casey of Colton; James Murray, AI Gabel, James Doyle, W. Cole.
Grand Stand and Platform Committee---J. F. Parker, chairman; Peter Thompson, assistant.
At the close of the ceremonies Bishop Conaty with the pastor and chorus headed the automobile parade, which terminated at the site on the Colton road where a Capilla is to be erected in commemoration of the Mission founded by Padre Dumitz [sic] just 100 years ago.
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