The Beginning And so it begins, a people
persistent and reaching to determine their destiny as a faith community.
Was it really the beginning? Today the Catholic community of north
eastern Tuolumne County is known as the Parish of All Saints' Twain Harte and St. Joseph's
Tuolumne. Although the parish was formally erected in 1962, the origins of the community
can be traced to 1907 with the construction of St. Joseph's Church in Tuolumne City. So
the parish consists of elder and younger sister communities, legitimate offspring of the
mother Church of Tuolumne County, St. Patrick's Sonora. Whereas it might have been
expected, the senior sibling would be designated the parish center, as in the case of Esau
and Jacob, the lot fell to the younger. St. Joseph, patron of the Church universal yielded
graciously to the more numerous "communion of saints."
As in every family each member is unique with distinct
characteristics, so in this parish. Tuolumne approaches its centenary with a strong sense
of identity rooted in its own history. The Church itself is proud symbol of the dedicated
pioneer ancestors who built it, setting the tone for the present generation. A lumber mill
town in origin, Tuolumne retains a quiet atmosphere of unity, friendship, neighborliness.
These traditions enhanced by faith, sustained by common memory and historical relics,
express the stability and fidelity of the community.
The origins of Twain Harte - named after Mark Twain and his
contemporary Bret Harte - were miners' shacks and loggers' camps deep in the forest. No
traditional grid plan spreading from a center exists here. The pattern of dwellings
amongst the trees prevails to the present. The automobile brought access to urban folk who
built their summer cabins accordingly. A man-made lake completed the picture of the
idyllic mountain resort. Many residents are the retired descendants of the original
families, having upgraded their cabins to comfortable homes. They are very tolerant of the
present day "flat landers" who make their annual summer pilgrimage. First moves
to acquire land and build a church came from the original "summer folk" - a
tribute to their faith and energy. Mass was first celebrated in a meadow, since become a
golf course - a "sacred place" still to many.
The Altar Society, now grown into All Saints' Parish Ladies' Guild
flourishing today with sixty members, predates the parish. The task of forming the Parish
was effectively and colorfully performed by the late Fr. George Lacey who served the
community conscientiously for twenty-one years. His successor, Fr. William Ryan, during
ten years of loyal service enhanced and completed the fine Parish plant. Fr. John
Fitzgerald is the third Pastor ably assisted by Deacon Ed Zoma who, ordained in the
Chaldean Rite, can claim to be the longest serving deacon in the country.
The Parish is proud to have three daughters serving God and Church in
religious life. Sr. Claire Rozier, golden jubilarian from the Congregation of the Holy
Cross; Sr. M. Dismas Rager, of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's nuns) silver
jubilarian; recently solemnly professed Sr. Mary Bernadette of the Good Shepherd Johnson
of the Poor Clares. Three generations of the Parish are represented by the generous
response of these women to the invitation of the One of whom it is said, "how
beautiful on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news."
