As the Summer of 1913 approached, the people of Saint Bernard’s Parish were preparing to celebrate a most joyous event: the formal dedication of their new church. Through their efforts and guided by their Pastor, Reverend Thomas P. Moran, the parishioners had built a 260-seat church in 1911 that the Tracy Press described as “a pretty specimen of the old mission style of architecture.. Simple, yet imposing, forcing the passing stranger to admire the symmetry of its lines.” In 1912 parishioners completed a new rectory on a lot adjacent to the north side of the new church. It was a comfortable home with 2 stories and 12 rooms for housing priests & conducting church business.

    The dedication was set for Sunday, June 15, 1913. The Archbishop of San Francisco, the venerable Patrick Riordan, had seen the Tracy church blossom over the years, but he was now in ill health and could no longer travel. In his place he sent his two closest confidents, Bishop Edward J. Hanna, his co adjudicator & successor, and Reverend John J. Cantwell, the Secretary to the Archbishop. Several other pastors assisted, including Reverend O. Lacey, who had earlier served the Catholic people when Tracy was a mission church.

    The Tracy Press reported that the dedication was “an event that would be long remembered by the people of Tracy. For hours before the bishop appeared, the church was crowded with the faithful and well wishers.” The Catholic newspaper of the San Francisco Archdiocese, The Monitor, reported that “Being the first visit of a prince of the Church to the little town, the occasion was made one of general rejoicing. Catholics and non-Catholics took part in the celebration.”

    To make a joyous occasion even more so, 70 adults and children were to be administered the sacrament of Confirmation by Bishop Hanna in the new church. The sponsors of the children were James Eagen and Mrs. D. Canale. At 10:30 a.m. Father Moran, together with Fathers Cantwell, Lacey, Murphy and Ellis, marched in procession with the boys, girls, and adults to be confirmed, to the rectory to be presented to Bishop Hanna. The assembled then proceeded to the church where at 10:45 a.m. Bishop Hanna and the Priests intoned THE MISERERE, the first word of the Vulgate text of Psalm 1 used in the consecration of a church, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.”

    The Solemn Mass of Dedication followed and Bishop Hanna preached a glowing sermon commending the people of Saint Bernard’s and assured them that their “faith, zeal and generosity would be rewarded by Him who knows and sees, and will not allow the giver of the glass of water, in charity, to go unrewarded.” As a special treat, liturgical music was provided by the choir of Saint James Parish in San Francisco, where Father Moran was previously assigned as an Assistant Rector. Musical selections included “Ave Maria” and “Pie Jesu”.

    With great joy in their hearts, the people of Saint Bernard’s welcomed their newly confirmed and rejoiced at being welcomed as a parish by Bishop Hanna into the Archdiocese of San Francisco. As they continued their spiritual journey, the beauty of their faith would carry them & their children forward to meet the future with hope.