ARCHBISHOP Barry Hickey blessed a historic church bell on 22 May that was later installed on top of Holy Trinity Church in Embleton.
The bell for the Holy Trinity Church was specifically manufactured by a renowned Polish bell manufacturer. It stands 70cm high weighing 220kg and is operated by an electro-magnetic mechanism.
A bell tower constructed to house the new bell was also installed with the bell on 27 May.
The sound of the bell can be heard every day at noon to remind the people to pray The Angelus and fifteen minutes before the weekend Masses.
It may also be used for special occasions like processions, weddings and funerals.
The project has been made possible due parishioners’ generosity. However, the dedication and hard work of Fr Emil, a Polish Salvatorian, was of paramount importance in the instigation and success of this project and the Parishioners of Holy Trinity Church are grateful for his contribution
Over the past two and a half years Fr Emil has been the Aboriginal Chaplain as well as parish priest.
During his short time as Parish Priest Fr Emil has built up the parish community.
Parishioners told The Record that his “amazing gift to inspire and encourage parishioners to play an active role in the parish has resulted in many positive changes”, including improvement of the church facilities, but “most importantly the spiritual enrichment of parishioners.”
They also wished Fr Emil all of God’s blessings he might need in his life and priestly ministry as a fulltime chaplain of the Aboriginal Catholic ministry for the Archdiocese of Perth.
The use of bells in the Church dates back to the fifth century, when St Paulinus, the Bishop of Nola, introduced them as a means to summon monks to worship.
In the seventh century Pope Sabinianus approved the use of bells to call the faithful to Mass.