Churches across the United States will ring their bells in honor of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Churches have been invited to ring or peal the bells in unison this Saturday, December 7^th at 2 p.m., Eastern Time. This will coincide with the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, whose doors have been closed since being ravaged by fire on April 15, 2019. This gesture is a sign of unity and support for the famous landmark that has been restored to its original glory following the tragic fire five years ago. Notre Dame Cathedral holds a special place in the hearts of believers and people of goodwill worldwide. During the five-year reconstruction process, more than 1,000 artisans painstakingly restored the 12th-century cathedral’s stone, wood and art fixtures.

Local churches that will participate in the bell ringing include:

• Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Petersburg (Pinellas County)
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Inverness (Citrus County)
• Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Land O’ Lakes (Pasco County)
• St. Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Masaryktown (Pasco County)
• Sacred Heart Catholic, Dade City (Pasco County)

Interview Opportunity:

A local priest can speak about the significance of the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration. Father Justin Paskert visited Notre Dame Cathedral in 2013 during the 850th anniversary celebrations and he can speak first-hand about the global impact of this historic and sacred landmark.