05/28/2026
Dear Parishioners and Friends of the Church of St. Jude, Greetings!
Just for an update on our beautifully installed Church Bells and the Bell Tower:
Since installation, we have received numerous expressions of appreciation from parishioners, friends, and neighbors who have commented on the impact our Church Bells have on the town. We appreciate these expressions of support.
We are also aware that some people have expressed concerns to others, saying the bell and its sound are a nuisance or disturbance to them or their loved ones.
We, as a law-abiding community, have complied with all legal provisions and ordinances of our Rochester Village. As a peace-loving family of intentional disciples of Jesus Christ and as the good neighbors we have always tried to be, we have lowered the volume of the bells twice so that most neighbors can hardly hear them. However, the purpose of the project is to share the sacred sound of the bells with the community, and this change affects that intention. We have also reduced the number of times the bell rings from 5 daily to the below schedule:
Mondays – 12:00 noon and 6:00pm;
Tuesdays to Friday—7:10am, 12:00 noon, and 6:00pm;
Saturday—12:00noon, 6:00pm, and right before the 4:30pm Mass;
Sunday— 12:00 noon, and 6:00pm, and right before each of the two Masses on Sunday morning.
We also use the bells when we have funerals. Fortunately, we rarely have funerals here at St. Jude.
Our bell rings only between 7:10am and 6:00pm. It does not ring at night or every hour, and it is never loud or prolonged. If you hear claims to the contrary, please know they are not true. Stay informed and feel free to explain the facts if needed.
As a reminder, The BELL represents prayer, worship, attention, joy, mourning, and the Church’s call to holiness. The BELL TOWER represents the Church standing tall in the community and in the world, pointing people to heaven, and calling everyone to God.
Love and Peace,
Fr Peter
Pastor
