

The ceremony included a blessing with holy water of each bell, a washing of each bell, an anointing with holy chrism of each bell, and the incensing of each bell, (a burning thurible placed under each as prayers were offered). At the conclusion on this ceremony, the largest of the ten bells was struck by Bishop Feehan and four assisting priests, including Rev. John W. McCarthy, pastor. Following the outdoor ceremonies, Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was celebrated inside the church. The chime was manufactured in Troy, New York by the Meneely Bell Company. The Meneely Bell Foundry was started in 1826 by Andrew Meneely in West Troy (now Watervliet), New York. Meneely bells rang for President Franklin Roosevelt's and President John Kennedy's funerals, and for President Lyndon Johnson's inauguration. The replacement for the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, as well as many church bells in that city, were Meneely bells. Nearly every church bell in Troy, New York is a Meneely bell. Other Meneely bells include bells at Cornell University, the Metropolitan Life building in New York City, and the West Point military academy. Overall, the Meneely companies produced about 65,000 bells. The Meneely companies eventually closed in 1952 owing to metal shortages and the increasing popularity of electronic bells and chimes. The total weight of the bell set is 10,500 pounds, each bell ranging in weight from 3000 pounds to 250 pounds. The inscriptions on the bells are in Latin, done in ornamental scroll. Each is dedicated to a particular saint and memorialized in the following: I. Saint Mary, the largest bell weighing 3,000 pounds Inscription: This chime of ten bells was prompted and made possible by the children of the late Thomas and Mary (McGann) Lynch, who presented this (first) magnificent bell to Saint Mary's Church in loving remembrance of their parents, who, for over half a century were exemplary and devoted members of this parish. By this gift they who are sorrowed most for their death, desire to bless God still more for their life and good example. II. Saint Michael, the Archangel, weighing 2,000 pounds Inscription: These bells are hung here by the Pastor and People of Saint Mary's parish, North Attleborough, Massachusetts, as a votive offering to their Immaculate Patroness, that ringing they may proclaim the harmonies of her life and draw mankind nearer to her Divine Son. Solemnly blessed November 3, Nineteen Hundred and Seven, by the newly consecrated second Bishop of Fall River, Rt. Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, D.D., Rev. John W. McCarthy, pastor, Rev. Joseph M. Griffin, assistant. III. Saint Joseph, weighing 1,500 pounds Inscription: This bell is reverently consecrated to the memory of those departed members of Saint Mary's parish whose loyalty and devotion to the church, so strongly marked their lives as to merit for all time the remembrance and prayers of a grateful people. IV. Saint John, weighing 1,200 pounds Inscription: He, who, in gratitude to God gave this bell for Saint Mary's chime That Its voice might call unto the Master The stray sheep of His flock, Did hide from us the beneficent sound of his name. Write it, O Lord, in the Book of Life. V. Saint Catherine, weighing 800 pounds Inscription: To the greater honor and glory of God; - and in perpetual and loving remembrance of His faithful servants Thomas McCarthy, the best of fathers, who departed this life the 6th of May, 1899; of Catherine McCarthy, the most loving of mothers, who died the 29th of September, 1902 and of Catherine (McCarthy) Murphy, the beloved sisters, who died September 28th, 1900. This bell is presented to Saint Mary Church by Rev. John W. McCarthy, his sister, Mary E. McCarthy, and brother Dr. Thomas H. McCarthy. VI. Saint Patrick, weighing 550 pounds Inscription: The Holy Name Society have marked the fifth anniversary of its institution by presenting this bell to St. Mary's Church as a testimonial of their love and devotion to the holy name of Jesus. 'Not unto Us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name, be praise.' VII. Saint Thomas, weighing 450 pounds No inscription VIII. Saint Christopher, weighing 400 pounds Inscription: That the sweet harmony of ten bell voices may sound the praises of Mary Immaculate, the Thomas P. McDonough Council, No. 330, Knights of Columbus, of North Attleboro, Mass., donated this bell as a token of their gratitude unto the Peerless Patronesses of the Church. IX. Saint Aloysius, weighing 350 pounds Inscription: This bell is the gift of Mary Byron and her children, Josephine, James and Mary (Byron) Gaffney. X. Saint Charles, weighing 250 pounds No inscrption
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