The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-06
BELL LBLESSED.AT
 ITALIAN CHURCH
Ceremonies at Ensley Elab. orate-Father COyle Rep
 resents Bishop Allen

Yesterday was gala day for the ital inns of the Birmingham district. The oc' casion was the blessing of the large bel
 presented by St. Joseph's society to the beautiful new Italian church at Ensiey
 At 4:so D. m the various societies with banners and bands gathered In front oi the church where the bell. placed on its framework and decorated with red and tinsel was in position.
 The ceremonies in accordance with the ancient ritual of the Catholic church, were carried olt by the Rev. Father Coyle of St Paurs church, especially dele ga ted by the Right Rev. Bishop Allen. who much to his regret, could not be present on the occasion. Father Coyle was assisted by the Rev. Father Me- Quillen as deacon and the Rev. Father Reilly as subdeacon. The Rev. Father Canepa was first master of ceremonies and the Rev. Father Lenehan second mas ter of ceremonies Fathers kitrick and SLultz were also present and assisted in the cbantin.. of the various psalms.
 After the psalms had been chanted water was solemnly blassed and the bell was WdSueQ Wilil fl Dy tuc otdCoh anu subdeacon, who also dried the bell. After mere psalms had bean chanted the bell was anointed with holy oils and chism Then the incense was placed in lighted censer and this was placed under the bell while other psalms and ancient prayers were chanted
 The singing of the gospel by the deacon and the ringing of the bell by the sponsors bl ought the religious ceremonies to a close. Afterwards the celebrant, Father Coyle, made a brief address congratulat- ing the people on the building of the very beautiful church. He told them 1t was with great pleasure that he officiated at the ancient ceremony of blessing the bell. He reminded the people present of the glorious Catholic heritage that was theirs; how they cane from a land that vas Catholic in all che centuries from now back to the first century when Peter and Paul brought the gospel to Rome and sealed it with their blood. He said that now, far away rom their Historic land, they still pres efved their glorious faith that their ancesters proudly hoasted Of, and that though exposed to tempta- tions and dangers here in this land," still he was sure they would proudly keep unsullied and free from admixture of error the faith their fathers handed down."
 Here continued the speaker "at- tempts are made to pervert and wean you and your little onas from the profess sion of the Catholic faith 'Timeo Dona ss ct dena ferentes'-I fear the Greeks even when bearing gifts Beware the wiles of those who would rob you of that which spould be dearer to you than aught else De faithful to your church and when this bell, so solemnly blessed today rings out over the city it's call to prayer, let all young men and old and maids and ma- tfons' and the littles cnes of the flock gather in the house of the living God. a. loyal true Catholic sons and daughters or mother church, to cffer up the pleas ing sacrifice of faith and hope and love D
 During the evening the bands rendered various selections and the visiting Jtal- iahs ana the friends of the colony were shown over the new church. which. Tn the space of another week will bs completed, and will be when furnished IL IS salo, one of the most complete and ceautiful of the Catholic churches in Jef- Ter son county and credit to the Italians Of the entire district