THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

February 16, 1903

 

BLESSED THE BELL.

 

The St. Mary’s Catholic Church Bell Now Peals Forth its Welcome Chimes.

 

            From a small beginning and the steadfast devotion of a few faithful Catholic people in this city and vicinity for the past three or four years a society has been organized a house of worship which was the old Congregational Church, purchased, and now they have a priest’s residence, the first house south of the church, also a settled priest, Rev. Father Schroeder, who lately came to the parish from Pennsylvania.  Since his coming to this charge, which includes the Veteran’s Home Catholic communicants and those at Weyauwega, there has been a new impetus in the church and among the members.  An addition has been built for the alter, chancel and pulpit, also a new, high alter, two new side alters, a new communion rail, new vestry and many beautiful ornaments to adorn have been presented and blessed to the use of the church.  But the latest and most substantial donation of all is the new bell, the gift of Mrs. Martin Wallace which cost her $186.06.

            Sunday Feb. 8 was the day set apart for the ceremony of “Blessing the Bell” and quite elaborate preparations were made for it and successfully carried to completion. The bell was placed on a pedestal covered with white cloth and evergreen boughs in front of the communion rail and the church was specially decorated for the occasion. Rev. Fr. Schroeder acted as Master of ceremonies, and the Rt. Rev. J. J. Fox, Vicar General of the Green Bay Diocese, Celebrat, assisted by Rev. Fr. John Kaste, of New London, Deacon and Rev. Fr. A. Brunner of Hortonville, sub. Deacon were present.

            The singing was composed of a choir from the society with Mrs. Parke of Wausau, as leading organist.

            High Mass was celebrated at 10 o’clock by the resident Priest, Rev. Fr. Schroeder and Rt. Rev. Fox, V.G., delivered a beautiful sermon and explained how to work in the Vineyard of Christ.

            The ceremony of “Blessing the Bell” took place at 4 p.m. the church being well filled, among them a large sleigh load came up from Weyauwega, and a number from the Home.  There were also present a number of our city residents, not Catholics.

            The Rt. Reverend Father Fox after the blessing gave the following explanation of the ceremonies:

            Dear Brethren:  You just witnessed the ceremonies of the blessing of a new bell.  The prayers consisted of Psalms of the Bible and other appropriate expressions befitting the blessing of a bell.

            These prayers are in Latin which is the language of the church.  Now what do these different ceremonies signify?  First of all, prayers are always said in connection with every blessing. Next, the washing of the bell within and without reminds one of the curse pronounced by God upon all created things after the fall of our first parents, which is taken away from this particular object by the washing and thus becomes a fitting object to be used in God’s holy service.  As man comes into the world in sin and becomes a child of God and an heir of heaven by the cleansing water of baptism, so other objects for the use of the church are dedicated to God by blessings and holy water.  Of this first great grace of baptism does the blessed bell remind us.  Then the bell is anointed with the oil for the sick in the form of a cross once, and then seven times to signify that as the sick man is strengthened by administration of holy oil in the sacrament of extreme unction and man in general by the other six sacraments of the church reminding him therefore that he is weak and needs God’s holy grace, so the bell calling us to prayer, mass and church continually admonishes the Christian of the need of religion and its powerful graces.

            The four crosses made in the inside with holy chrism reminds man of the four cardinal virtues, prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude, by the practice of which he saves his soul.

            The burning censer placed under the bell, filling the whole bell with its sweet odor reminds man to love God with his whole heart and let prayers of praise, thanksgiving and petition daily ascend like clouds to His holy throne.

            At the end of the ceremony the deacons sang the beautiful gospel of Martha and Mary.

            Our Lord as was wont, often stopped in Bethany at the house of Lazarus and it was on one of these occasions He rebuked Martha who complained to our Lord that Mary did not assist her in the house work with these words, “Martha, Martha thou art solicitous and concerned about many things but one thing is necessary.”  This one thing necessary is the plan to save our soul and of this the bell reminds us continually. People worry and work to increase their wealth and prosperity, to gain honor and renown, no sacrifice seems too great and, alas too often is the one necessary ting neglected, lost sight of.  Every sacrifice, even the smallest is too onerous.  Not everyone who says Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father.  The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and only the violent shall have it to themselves.  Make yourself a friend to the mammon of iniquity, i.e. use your wealth for the honor of God and the service of His holy church and you’ll have a friend in the dread hour of death to fight your cause.

            For years I have been thinking of this little congregation in the beautiful city of Waupaca and longed to see it stand on an even footing with other congregations and it could be and will be so if you stand united now that you have a priest of your own and if you will co-operate with him and not leave all the work to be done by him alone, if you are ready to bring sacrifice, if, as the gospel said this morning, you heed the call of the Master even if it be the eleventh hour.  So stand united in peace and love, encourage all to return to church by your words and example and I know that my fervent prayer for the welfare, growth and strength of the congregation of St. Mary’s in beautiful Waupaca will be realized in the near future.

 

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            In the prayer of blessing the bell Rt. Reverend Fox, did not forget the donor.  He gave a fitting tribute to her generosity and called for God’s blessing always to be near and with her all through life, and the life to come. The ceremonies closed with the ringing of the bell, first by the chosen sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. M. Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. Richard McCabe, Mrs. F. J. Parke, Mr. W. Chady, Mr. Henry Fisher, Mr. J. C. Hart, Mrs. Theresa Chady and Mrs. Albert Chady, then by any member of the congregation who wished.

            And the bell was solemnly and happily blessed and rung.

            On Monday it was raised to its place in the tower and our people have since heard for the first time in the history of Waupaca the ceremony of the “Angelus” as exemplified by the Catholic rites of ringing the bell morning, noon and night, 7 a.m., 12 m. and 6 p.m.

            On Monday morning the visiting Priests accompanied by Rev. Fr. Schroeder the local Priest, drove out to the home and enjoyed a visit there.  It was Rev. Fox’s first visit and as Col. Ellis was an old friend and acquaintance of his in Green Bay, the visit was a most pleasant one to all.  They returned to their respective homes in the afternoon. Rev. Fr. Schroeder wishes to publicly thank the noted Divine, Vicar General Fox of Green Bay for his excellent address and blessing and to the Priests of both New London and Hortonville for driving so far through the snowy roads and cold to assist in the sacred rites.