BLESSING OF THE CENTENARY BELL TOWER

The Blessing is on today (Sunday) within the 10.00am Mass in the grounds of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and School. The construction of the tower has been completed ahead of time and under budget. The first step in the process was to raise the necessary funds. By a successful Gala Auction Dinner at Rupertswood Mansion plus raffle, the fundraising committee achieved the objective.
The design was by Randall Lindstrom, the well-known liturgical architect who has worked with us on our churches since 2006. The construction committee obtained the planning and building permits and liaised with the steel fabricator, the structural engineer, the concreter, the electrician, a paint factory and providers of a sizzer lift, a truck and a crane truck. A working bee by school parents and teachers completed the garden last Saturday.
The bell works by remote control, powered by solar energy. The original bronze bell was made in Melbourne about 1910 and weighs 125kg. There are four programs of rings: Angelus, call to Mass, weddings and funerals.
Today, we welcome back past parishioners, priests and teachers. We welcome back Fr. Allan Mithen. We have received apologies from Fr. Martin Ashe (Ministry to Priests, Melbourne) Fr. Greg Bourke P.P. (Hoppers Crossing) Fr. Gerard Keith P.P. (three Geelong parishes) Fr. Michael Moody P.P. (Melton) Fr. John Petrulis P.P. (Elwood and St Kilda West Parishes) and Fr. Linh Tran P.P. (Dallas). Sunday morning is not a convenient time for priests!
We welcome today Sr. Josephine Dubell, Provincial of the Sisters of St Joseph, Sr. Anne Tuck, former principal and Sr. Rita Malavisi, a former teacher at O.L.M.C.
Later during this 150th year, the school will arrange a reunion and other events when the extensions to the building are complete providing space for celebrations.