WHY ARE THE BELLS RINGING??

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago has requested that churches ring their bells beginning, Saturday, March 21st, at 9:00 AM and continue every three hours each day. The last bells will be rung at 9:00 PM. Each of the 5 prayer times will be dedicated to a specific group particularly impacted by the pandemic.
Beginning Saturday, March 21st, the prayers and intentions for each hour of prayer are below:
9:00 AM - Prayer for those infected with the virus and all who are ill
12:00 PM - Prayer for health care workers and those attending to the sick
6:00 PM - Prayer for people of every nation and their leaders
9:00 PM - Prayer for those who have died today
Here is a link to read more about the ringing of the bells and the prayers for each time.