The Bell Tower's first toll was on Sunday 3rd August 1980. Restored in 2018, it continues to toll the Angelus at noon each day. This commemorates the historical custom practised since earlier times in the church, when the angelus pealed out over fields and towns at 6am, 12 noon and 6pm, to call the people to pause from work to pray the beautiful prayer of the Angelus which recalls the Annunciation.

The painting “The Angelus” 1859 by Jean Francois Millet – the Louvre Museum in Paris.  

The Angelus bell was ringing while peasants were still working at twilight. Millet had often seen his father standing, bare headed, cap in hand and his mother with bowed head and folded hands at the sound of the evening Angelus bell. Work and prayer dignify our daily lives.

(Through them many blessings come our way.)

The Angelus, a simple and beautiful Catholic prayer from the 13th Century, reminds us of what the Angel Gabriel said to Mary of Nazareth.

“Rejoice, so highly favored. The Lord is with you, you are to conceive and bear a son. He will be holy and be called Son of God.” Gospel of St. Luke.

We say the Angelus trusting Mary to bring her son all our thanks, our hopes and our needs.  

We pray also for the trials of families, friends and the suffering people of the world that Jesus will help them, that they will have his grace and joy.

The Angelus

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

(Hail Mary …..)

Behold the handmaid of the Lord,

R. Be it done to me according to your word.

(Hail Mary …..)

The word has made flesh,

R. And dwelt amongst us.

(Hail Mary …..)

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection through Christ, Our Lord.

R. Amen