The bell at St. James Church is ringing again.
Two months after the bell in the church tower broke, it was repaired, restoring a familiar sound to the community.
Father Jose Maria Cabrera, pastor of All Saints Parish, which includes St. James Church, said the bell carries a significance that goes beyond its practical purpose.
Twelve years ago, the parish faced significant challenges following a series of mergers. Resources were limited, and the list of needed repairs seemed overwhelming.
The bells became a symbol of hope.
At the time, the four bells at St. Boniface Church were not functioning, while the bell at St. James was causing excessive movement in the church building because of the way it swung. A new system using a static clapper was installed at St. James to reduce the movement and protect the structure.
The project was made possible through the generosity of a parishioner who left his estate to the parish, known affectionately as “Bow Tie Bob,” as well as Father Mason Vaughn.
For Father Cabrera, the bells were more than a repair project. Their sound served as a reminder to the surrounding neighborhood that the churches were present and would remain there for generations.
The bells also offered a message to Catholics who had drifted away from the faith: There would always be a place to return.
“Tilin, Tolon,” Father Cabrera wrote after the latest repair. “All praise be to Jesus!”