The Bells Are Back!
 
I’d be curious to know how many of you have noticed something missing from our parish over the last few months.
 
No, it certainly hasn’t been people—we are happily growing by the month here at St. Vincent de Paul! And it certainly hasn’t been activity either. Most days and evenings around here are bustling with school, meetings, faith formation, ministries, events, sports, rehearsals, and probably a few people wandering around trying to figure out which door they’re supposed to enter.
 
No, the missing element has been the ringing of our wonderful bells!
 
Our bell tower was on the fritz for a few months, and it has been noticeably quieter around here. But I’m happy to share that our bells are up and running again. So I thought this would be a great moment to answer a simple question: why do Catholic churches have bell towers, and why do we ring bells in the first place?
 
Catholic churches have bell towers for a very simple and beautiful reason: bells are the Church’s public voice.
 
Before phones, clocks, texts, and push notifications, the church bell was how the parish spoke to the whole village or neighborhood. It announced: Come pray. Mass is beginning. Someone has died. A feast is being celebrated. Something important is happening. The tower lifted that sound above the surrounding homes so it could carry farther.
 
But bells are not just practical. They are also deeply symbolic. Bells help “sanctify” time. They remind us that the day belongs to God. In a sense, they interrupt ordinary life and say: Lift up your heart. Remember God. Come to worship.
 
That is why Catholic bells are traditionally rung for several reasons. 
 
They are rung before Mass to call the faithful to worship. It is the Church saying, “Come to the altar. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is about to begin.”
 
They are rung during Mass when smaller sanctuary bells are used at the consecration, as they are here at St. Vincent’s. When the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, the bells draw our attention to the holiest moment of the Mass and invite us to adore.
 
They are rung for the Angelus prayer—traditionally in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Those bells invite Catholics to pause and remember the Incarnation: that God became man in the womb of Mary. (We skip the 6:00am bells out of courtesy to our neighbors, because even “joyful noise” has its limits before coffee…and I would like them to keep liking us!)
 
They are rung for funerals, when the bells may toll slowly to mark death, mourning, and Christian hope. The sound is solemn, but not hopeless. It says: one of our brothers or sisters has died, and we entrust them to God.
 
They are rung for weddings and feasts, when the bells ring joyfully to celebrate great moments of grace in the life of the Church.
 
And of course, they are rung with particular joy at Easter and other great solemnities, especially after the silence of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. When the bells return at Easter, it feels like creation itself is waking up to proclaim: Christ is risen!
 
So the simplest answer is this: Catholic churches have bell towers because bells call us to prayer, mark sacred time, announce joy and sorrow, and proclaim that God is present in the middle of ordinary life.
 
They are like the Church’s ancient notification system—but unlike your phone, they are not trying to steal your attention. They are trying to give it back to God.
 
So the next time you hear our beautiful bells ringing, don’t just think, “Oh no, I’m late for Mass.” Though, depending on the day, that might also be true. Instead, let them do what they are meant to do. Let them interrupt you for a moment. Let them lift your heart. Let them remind you that God is near, that this day belongs to Him, and that the Church is still joyfully ringing out the greatest news the world has ever heard: Jesus Christ is Lord, and He is calling us home. 

Fr. Mike
Parochial Administrator 

July 27 - 30 (Monday - Thursday)
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $50 per child

This summer children going into 1st–6th grade may experience a week filled with Faith, Fellowship, and Fun at CAMP VINNY! This year we will dive into the Beatitudes: BLESSED ARE YOU…
Register soon as space is limited!

Volunteers from 7th grade to adults are needed for Camp Vinny to be a success! Please register to volunteer online.

Click Here for more information and to register a camper or volunteer. 
*Registration Deadline is Friday, May 29 at NOON

Questions: Contact Nichole Chang at [email protected]

Wednesday, May 27 
6:00 - 8:00 PM 
Parish Rectory

Join the Men’s Club for our end-of-season BBQ Celebration! Let’s wrap up this year in style—we’re breaking out the burgers, brats, beer, & games for our final Men’s Club meeting of the season. (This event will replace the regular night in Regan Hall.) 

Come enjoy some laughs and make memories with other men of St. Vincent de Paul as we all enjoy the spring weather and some tasty food. Your free will offering will help support this ministry.

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Our Wednesday Mass time has changed from 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM, with confessions offered in the Adoration Chapel starting at 4:45 PM. 

We have been considering offering an evening Mass for some time and are excited to offer an opportunity for people to come to a daily Mass who currently cannot make the morning option work. This will also allow for opportunities for our Faith Formation participants to attend Mass before programs begin on Wednesday nights.

Mass at 8:00 AM will continue to be offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with confessions offered in the Adoration Chapel at 7:30 AM.

Please know that we welcome new adorers to take open hours! Click here to sign-up as an adorer or substitute adorer.

Adoration Sign-up