NEW YEAR: The New Year came in 1900 with a service at St. Bernard’s in Bradford, with a temperature “somewhat Alaskan, but there was no blizzard connected with it,” The Era explained.

The cold air and icy sidewalks deterred few from the revelry.

“When the clocks denoted that the mystic hour of 12 had been reached, whistles were blown, there was a fusillade of shots from revolvers and dynamite crackers and the deep toned bells of St. Bernard’s rang out the old year while they rang in the new, and called worshipers to the midnight Mass. The handsome edifice of St. Bernard’s was never so crowded before. Every seat in the church was occupied, and in the aisles people stood in solid lines extending to the altar. The entrances to the building were crowded with people. Scores of persons were unable to gain admittance.

“The choir, aided by Jamison’s orchestra, rendered the grand music of Farmer’s Mass with splendid effect; and the solemn words of worship as contained in the book of the mass were intoned by the pastor, the Rev. William Coonan, in his usual, impressive manner. The duties of Catholics, during the present holy year, were pointed out, and timely lessons drawn from the theme of the discourse. In the flight and the changes of time he said, the church united the past with the present and provided for the future. The duties of citizens, loyalty to their country as well as their God, he also set forth, and closed by wishing the immense assemblage a happy and prosperous New Year. It was after 2 o’clock when the benediction was pronounced and the congregation joined the choir in singing the “Te Deum,” the words of that grand hymn being rendered in English with an effect rarely witnessed in a Bradford church.”