Bells find new life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey

A bell from the closed St. Stephen Parish in Winooski has been installed at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey in Westfield. Monsignor Richard Lavalley donated the bell to the Benedictine sisters on behalf of St. Stephen and St. Francis Xavier parishes.

Monsignor Lavalley donated the bell after learning the sisters had an empty bell tower while he was managing the liturgical items from the St. Stephen closure in 2020. He noted that parishioners from both parishes supported the donation because they wanted the bell to be used for holy purposes.

Sister Elizabeth Rose, a Benedictine nun at the abbey, expressed gratitude to the parishes and Monsignor Lavalley for the gift. The sisters view the bells as a reminder of their vocation to pray for the people and the world.