The Rev. Salvatore Tassone, a Grass Valley native and alumnus of Mount St. Mary's Academy, returned to help celebrate a commemorative Mass during a weekend of festivities marking the school's 150th anniversary.

Parish priest the Rev. Sylvester Kwiatkowski and Deacon Carlos Astesana, another Mount St. Mary's alumnus, helped celebrate the Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, across Chapel Street from the school — the oldest continually operating Catholic school west of the Mississippi.

Three members of the Sisters of Mercy — the order that ran the school for about 130 years — attended and were honored for their hard work and dedication to the school.

The Mount St. Mary's choir, accompanied by music teacher Colleen Deneen, provided music. Students from Mount St. Mary's read the Sunday Bible readings.

Alumni brought gifts in the form of candles to the main altar, where current students laid flowers before the statue of Mary, mother of Jesus and patron saint of the school.

Astesana recalled his days there and expressed his gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy for their dedication to the children of Mount St. Mary's and Grass Valley.

After Mass, the Grass Valley Knights of Columbus sponsored a breakfast in the church hall.

The religious celebration was preceded by a day of community activities on Saturday.

A race, proclamations and a fair

It all began with runners lining up for a 5K race early Saturday at the corner of Church and Chapel streets — the historic intersection where St. Patrick's Church and Mount St. Mary's began. The race ended in the school parking lot, where friends and community members cheered the runners on.

Then, the Grass Valley Knights of Columbus lead a procession from the church to the school for opening ceremonies marking the celebration. Participants included Monterey Diocese Bishop Richard Garcia, parish priest the Rev. Cecilio Tupasi and Fr. Kwiatkowski, the Sisters of Mercy and artist Paula DeGiorgis, who completed the Sisters of Mercy crest on the wall on Chapel Street.

Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Grass Valley, congratulated the school and its 150 years of success. A representative from the office of Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, read a proclamation, and Grass Valley Mayor Lisa Swarthout congratulated Mount St. Mary's on 150 years of importance in the community.

Fifty vendors lined the school parking lot, selling their wares, while hundreds of people gathered to shop, listen to music, play in the Kid's Zone and tour the school.

Mount St. Mary's and the Grass Valley museum were open and had many visitors reminiscing about their days there. Special guests included Mr. and Mrs. Chick and Susie (Valceschini) Cicogni, who attended Mount St. Mary's in the 1920s.

Children enjoyed a scavenger hunt at the school, and those who finished received a coupon for free cotton candy. Closing ceremonies concluded with birthday cake and a raffle for $5,000.

Later in the evening there was a community dance at St. Joseph's Hall, where people danced to the music of Aunt B and the Hula Dogs.

We still have so much to look forward to. Many new friendships were made this weekend, and many old friendships were rekindled. It was great to have so many older alumni in attendance at the celebration and many new families with young children who are just beginning their days at Mount St. Mary's Academy.

Penn Valley resident Dina Rubino is a teacher, volunteer and parent of children at Mount St. Mary's Academy.