Alberton's Sacred Heart Parish gets a new bell

Sacred Heart Parish in Alberton has been without a bell since a fire nearly 50 years ago.

But on Christmas Eve, parishioners will hear the ringing of a bell once again. 

And, for Peter Lynch, that moment will have a special meaning. Lynch, a parishioner, installed the bell in memory of his wife Freda, who died two years ago. Lynch is expected to be the first person to ring the bell. 

"He's doing it out of love for his wife and out of love for the Lord and the church," explained Sacred Heart pastor Andrew MacDonald.

MacDonald said the 1819 bronze replacement bell became available after St. Bernadette's Mission in Brockton changed from sacred to secular use [or deconsecrated]. Sacred Heart has been without a bell since a fire in the early 1970s burned down the parish. It was rebuilt, but without a bell, MacDonald said.

"The ringing of a bell is something that is joyful. It is a joyful call to the people to pray, and to come to worship the Lord."

The bell will be rung for the first time prior to Christmas Eve mass and again prior to Christmas Day mass. After that, it will be rung regularly prior to weekend mass and funerals.

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