The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-23
THE BLESSING OF THE BELL
An Interesting Ceremony at the Church
OF the Sacred Heart
The New Bell Blessed by Bishop Montgom-
cry, Assisted by Father Hartnefts
An Eloquent Address

The ceremony of the "blessing OF the
bel'' took place at the Church OF the
Sacred Heart, corner South Sichel and
Baldwin streets, East Los Angeles, IN
the presence OF quite a large audience
yesterday afternoon at A o'clock. Bishop
Montgomery Off ciated, assisted by Faith
er Hartnetf, the priest in charge OF the
parish. Bishop Montgomery and Father
Hartnett preceded by the altar boys,
marched from the altar in the church
edltice to the bell which was suspended
on q frame work on the Baldwin street
side of the building. After special pray
ers blessing the bell it was first sprinkled
with holy water by the bishop, then
washed inside and out by Father Hart
nett, after which it was anointed with
holy oil by the bishop. Mrs. Mary Der
rlcott, who gave the bell to the church,
acted as its sponsor. and when the SER
vices were concluded sounded the first
note. After the benedction the oongre-
CATION returned to the church.
Bishop Montgomery then delivered
brief but eloquenr discourse. taking for
his theme tie duty OF Catholic parents to
give their children an education in the
sible. The bispop said that the time had
come to speak out plainly in this matter
of educating the children; that never be-
fore was the necessity greater than at
present for Catholics to educate their chill
dren in the faith. The position of the
Catholics on the subject of education, the
bishop said, was not generally under
stood. and this being the case, they were
generally misrepresented. When people
took the pains to investigate and find
out for themselves where Catholics stood
IN the matter of education. they discov-
cred that there was nothing wrong
about it, nothing that any thinking man
OF average intelligence cJuid not indorse.
1t was plain, everyday common sense
and Catholics should not fail in their
duty in this respect. There are many
ghosts being painted and psraded about
as the evils OF Catholicism for the pur-
pose of frightening the people, and this
educational ghost was one Of the worst
of them. When properly investigated.
however, it was found that its terrors
were purely imaginary. Bishop Mont
gomery also urged upon parents the neces-
sty of Sunday school work. ard said that
every effort should be made to keep the
children and young people interested in
that work as long as possible. 1t would
HOt tO W StOp dlleT b0c co nilTIlatlOH ana
first communion; that was but the begin
ming, good beginning, it ia true, but one
That must be followed up if tho best
results are to be obtained. The bishop
closed with some remarks on the signifi-
canoe OF the bell in the worship of Cath
olIcs explaining the Angelus and telling
what it means.
The bell which was blessed or conse-
Grated yesterday is the second largest IN
the city. weighing 207a pounds. 1t was
cast at the McShane bell foundry, Balti-
more, lana is very sweet-toned. 1t was
gift to the church by Mrs. Mary Derri-
colt, a lady who has always taken a deep
interest in the church, and who has been
one of Father Hartnett's most willing
workers during the six wears he has been
building up the Sacred Heart parish. As
to Father Hartnett's work, that speaks
for itself. When that able and energetic
man took charge of tho parish six years
ago there was neither church. residence
nor school. Now there ara all three. The
church edifice would be a credit to any
city and the school is coming along very
nicely. The good father feels much en-
Outraged over what mas been accom-
plshed, and is even nov planning out
new work. in which he is receiving the
active, helpful cooperation of mis-
pariShiOneTs.