Photo: courtesy of Katie Conaway
On Ascension Sunday morning the heavy rain stopped, opportunely, just ten minutes before we were to bless our new bells. They are the generous gift of Br. David Schlatter OFM and formed part of a larger set of bells used at 9/11 commemoration services. Although the bells have been in use since late January we waited for warmer weather for the blessing. In keeping with tradition the new bells were named during the blessing ceremony and included our third bell (in the old bell tower) that has summoned the monks to prayers for so many years. Accordingly, the latter bell was named Raphael, the smaller of the two new bells, Gabriel, and the third and largest, Michael. These are also the names we have given to the three angels featured in our stained glass window (currently undergoing restoration). May the intercession of these three great Angels bring many blessings to our community and to all who visit and worship with us.