Thanks to a generous donation made by a longtime parishioner Dave McCarthy, a new Apollo three touchscreen digital bell system has been installed in St. Mary of the Lake Church.

“We have been wanting to have the bells reinstalled and fixed for many years,” explained Cori Scotti, parish music director, noting that the former bell system had not been working for quite some time “and we had many requests to bring them back.”

The new bells became a reality when McCarthy approached Divine Word Father Guilherme Andrino, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, of which St. Mary of the Lake Church is a part and asked if he could give the bells as a gift to the parish in honor of his mother, Irene McCarthy.

“Dave wanted to do this while she was still living to show her all she means to the parish and to him and their family,” said Scotti, noting that Irene McCarthy and her husband, Jim, are longtime parishioners, have been married more than 60 years and “they live close to St. Mary of the Lake and can hear the bells from their front porch.”

Scotti said that she and Father Andrino were both surprised by and grateful for McCarthy’s generous donation. The bells were dedicated during a Mass on Mother’s Day, May 8.

“In the center of Lakewood, it is a beautiful sound to have [and it] represents our church and its beauty,” Scotti said. “We are happy to have the bells back and working well and look forward to many years of hearing them.” Scotti added that as the parish music director she is “extremely elated” by the various sounds and song lists that the new bell system can create. She also noted that McCarthy made a special memorial plaque to be hung near the bells.

“The entire community is very happy for this special celebration and occasion,” Scotti said. “Father Guilherme is ecstatic to present the new bell system to the community and hopes it will be for everyone to enjoy.”