At the precise moment in California history when thousands flocked to the Sierra Nevada foothills in search of gold, a pioneer Catholic parish in Grass Valley began a tradition of caring and lifting the spirit of people in need.

That parish, St. Patrick in Grass Valley, will commemorate its remarkable ministry to the community on Aug. 28 with a 150th anniversary celebration at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Some 700 people are expected to attend the historic event, starting with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. celebrated by Bishop William K. Weigand, preceded by music provided by a 40-voice combined church choir.

While the parish’s founding in 1855 is too remote in time for current parishioners to recall, some remarkable stories of those early years have been passed from generation to generation.

Parishioner Mary Grace Tassone’s family arrived in Grass Valley a mere 63 years ago, but she has a keen sense of the legacy current parishioners have inherited from those who came before.

Tassone’s parents and their seven children — five more would be born in Grass Valley — arrived in 1942 and began attending Mass at St. Patrick Church.

She remembers the old church, built in 1858, with its magnificent stained glass windows, massive altar and choir loft at the back.

“We had a treasure here,” said Tassone, who with her 11 siblings attended Mount St. Mary Academy.

She also has fond memories of the Sisters of Mercy who staffed the school starting in 1863.

“In those days the school was a real blessed thing to have,” said Tassone, who attended Mount St. Mary’s from kindergarten through high school. “The sisters were a lifeline in the church and in the community.”

A relative newcomer to the parish, Trudy Tyrrell and her husband Skip arrived in Grass Valley in 1979.

She became acquainted with Mercy Sisters Mary Geneva Poluka and Mary Rita Jane McCarron, who led a Bible study group in her home and whose departure in 2001 marked 138 years of service by the Mercy Sisters to St. Patrick and Grass Valley.

Tyrrell, a member of the Mercy Associates, said these were nuns beloved for their outreach to the poor.

Sisters of Mercy were known in the community during the late 1800s to give away their own mattresses so that orphaned women and children would have place to sleep.

“We don’t want their spirit to die,” said Tyrrell, one of 200 parish volunteers involved in planning a series of 150th anniversary events.

Father Timothy Nondorf, pastor of the 1,600 households who make up the parish today, says that same spirit of social outreach and compassion for others is still alive.

The church has more than 30 active ministries, from prayer, Bible study and whole family catechesis groups to social justice and pro-life ministries.

“As a parish we’ve served our community for 150 years, not just with religious services but by providing a safety net for the underprivileged in the community,” Father Nondorf said.

Like the residents of Grass Valley, he added, many parishioners are retired and “generous with their time.”

“St. Patrick is a very dynamic, active parish,” he said. “There is a liveliness about it.”

Father Lawrence Beck, parochial vicar of St. Patrick, coordinated the planning of a series of events commemorating the church’s sesquicentennial.

Celebrations began with “Mining for Faith,” a series of receptions held following all Masses the weekend of June 10-11 featuring historical displays and refreshments.

Then a group of parishioners marched in Grass Valley’s Fourth of July parade for the first time in honor of their church’s 150th anniversary.

But the grand 150th celebration will be Aug. 28.

“That is the day the focus will be on who we are and where we’re going,” Father Beck said.

The Knights of Columbus and parents of Mount St. Mary Academy are preparing a sumptuous barbeque lunch and scores of church members will staff craft tables and activities for children at the reception.

St. Patrick’s very own youth band, “Blast,” will provide live music for the event.

Barbara Cross, a member of the event subcommittee, said she has been overwhelmed with the response of parishioners supporting the anniversary celebrations.

“We have over 200 names on the volunteer list,” she said. “It’s amazing the way people have come forward to help.”

Parishioner Toni Islet said that coming to an understanding of the “great tradition” of the parish’s history of service requires a commitment by the current generation to contribute for generations to come.

“St. Patrick has been a very welcomed player in the spirit of the community,” she said. “Now we need a new church and a new school so we need to get started.”

For more information or reservations for St. Patrick Parish’s anniversary celebration, call (530) 273-2357.

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