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Church bell is now ringing at St. Joseph’s

By Sarah Shurge ary for parents to take their babies
Church bells aren’t heard as often or young children to during service
as they used to be, but St. Joseph's if they are “cry babies.” The church’s
Catholic Church is excited and next project is expanding the confes-
proud to keep the sound of church sional and making it wheelchair ac-
bells ringing in Wayne. cessible.
“It's like a traditional thing,” said “People come from all over South-
Father Francisco Radecki, CMRI East Michigan, Ohio and even On-
(Congregation of Mary Immaculate tario to hear our Latin Mass,” said
Queen). “All the other parishes I've Father Radecki. “It’s a great place to
been in and served at have had bells. be in Wayne.”
It does a lot for people when you There are prayer books in the
start Mass with a bell. It tells people pews that have both Latin and Eng-
something special is going on.” lish, so people can follow along.
Father Radecki came to St. “It's nice to see all the younger
Joseph's Catholic Church in 1993. kids following along,” said Father
St. Joseph's was incorporated in the Radecki. “I have a wonderful parish.
state of Michigan in 1991 and still of- They’re wonderful people and it's
fers traditional Latin Mass. Father Francisco Radecki with the church bell, believed to have come from a church great serving them. I never get tired
Latin Mass used to be offered all of it. I’m really happy with what I'm
over the world, but in 1969 the first in Cadillac, Michigan. Photo by John P. Rhaesa doing.”
full revised Latin texts of Mass after Joseph pray for us” in Czech and “I and the stained-glass windows from Father Radecki was also a scuba
the Second Vatican Council were re- praise the true God” in Latin. The Canton, Ohio.” diver, flew helicopters, and did digi-
leased. The International Commis- bell was sandblasted and powder The main altar is from Nebraska. tal recordings. He filmed Mass at St.
sion on English (ICEL) released its coated, but the patina original finish The tabernacle is from Akron, Ohio. Joseph's that sold in over 102 coun-
first full English translation in 1970. was kept. The crucifix above the altar, angel tries across the world. His twin
“Latin Mass is growing,” said Fa- The bell was blessed and the bell statues, and confessional is from De- brother, who was also ordained at
ther Radecki. “We started with one tower was mounted on the church troit. The baptismal font is from Day- the same time as him, is a priest in
service and went to three.” on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023. Connelly ton, Ohio. The Stations of the Cross the Los Angeles area. The brothers
With the church’s growing serv- Crane put up the bell tower and D&L are from Mancelona, Michigan. The have written four books together and
ices, renovations needed to be made. Equipment secured the bell. Steve church statues are from Nebraska, are currently working on a fifth book
“Many items used at St. Joseph's School and the Deck Barn also Lackawanna, New York, and Toledo, this year. Father Radecki has written
were discarded from Catholic helped with the bell. Ohio. The communion rail is from six other books on his own.
churches in other areas due to the “We want to thank them and the Wayne, Michigan. The pews are from “Put your heart into everything
Vatican II changes,” said Father officials because if it wasn't for every- Flint, Michigan. And the candle you do and just recharge when you
Radecki. “We’re preserving little bits. one involved, we wouldn't have the racks are from Ohio. have to,” said Father Radecki. “I love
Everything's meant to be.” bell,” said Father Radecki. Fifteen years ago, St. Joseph's serving God and helping people. I’ve
The most recent item the church St. Joseph's also redid the cross Catholic Church built the choir loft helped a lot of people and everything
received was a church bell, believed on top of the church. that the rope to ring the bell now is pretty special.”
to have come from a church in Cadil- “St. Joseph's is trying to preserve hangs in. The bell rings for Mass, St. Joseph's Catholic Church has
lac, Michigan. Catholic tradition throughout the weddings, and funerals. Members of three Masses on Sunday at: 7:30
St. Joseph's purchased the bell ages,” said Father Radecki. “When the parish take turns ringing the bell. a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:45 a.m.
on June 8th, 2021 from Brosamer's our parish beautified the sanctuary, “People love it because it's so cool They have weekday Mass and school-
Bells, Inc. The 600 pound bell was the pillars came from Cincinnati, the hearing a bell,” said Father Radecki. day Mass twice a week. The church
made by Meneely Bell Foundry in capitals came from Chicago, the or- St. Joseph's has a soundproof is located at 3521 Fourth Street in
1918. Engraved on the bell is “St. nate plaster came from Cleveland, cry-room in the back of the sanctu- Wayne.

The Wayne Dispatch · September 2023 · 11