Today, the government has asked for a moment of silence at 9:30am.  Governments being what they are, they also want church bells tolled.  Yes, during the moment of silence.  Secularists really need to stay away from spiritual matters, don't you think?

So, beginning at 9am this morning, the parish will be open for prayer, not silence.  Bells will be tolled at 9:30, of course, but that's not because of government fiat, but because that's what we do.

Any future requests for "moments of silence" from state authority will be met either with a moment of prayer, a moment of noise, or, depending upon the nature of the request, a stout "no".

We're the church and we're free from the dictates of the state.  After all, that's what Thomas Becket's martyrdom was all about.