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JULY 2007 CONTENTS Memorial Tree: A Living Tribute Catholic Teaching on Cremation The Diocese of Albany Invites you to the Commemoration of the Consecration of Saint Agnes Cemetery
Memorial Masses 2007 Memorial Masses are celebrated for all those interred in Albany Diocesan Cemeteries. The names of those persons who have been interred in our cemeteries within the past three months are recorded in the Mass program. Remaining Masses for 2007 are listed below. All masses begin at 9:00 AM in the Mausoleum Chapel. St. Agnes Cemetery: Sat, July 14 Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery: St. Mary’s Cemetery:
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Birdwatcher, Annie Engster, observing a rose-breasted grosbeak during the International Birdwatch at
St. Agnes Cemetery on May 12.
Dear Friends,
It’s summertime, one of the most beautiful seasons in our cemeteries. The trees are blooming, flowerbeds are coming to life, and the birds are active in these natural settings. As we walk through the cemetery, we are reminded of God’s promise of new life in the resurrection.
Our employees have been very busy on beautification projects and special events highlighted in this issue of the electronic newsletter. We hope you can come visit us during this nice warm weather season and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
As always, please forward this newsletter to anyone you think would benefit from the articles. There is also a place where you can provide an email address of interested parties. The newsletters will continue to be available on our website as well (www.rcdacemeteries.org)
Please send any comments, suggestions or questions to molly.nicol@rcda.org.
Rick Touchette
Rick Touchette, Director of Cemeteries
48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204
(518) 432-4953
Historic St. Agnes Cemetery . . .
Historic Tours will be offered at Saint Agnes Cemetery in Menands, NY every Thursday at 11:00 beginning June 7 and continuing through Labor Day.
A Tradition of Faith for 140 YearsIn 1867 there were only 37 states in the United States. The telegraph was the main form of communication. The aftereffects of the Civil War were evident in all parts of society. Cy Young, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Scott Joplin were born and the Impressionist painting movement was in full swing. It also was the year that Saint Agnes Cemetery in Menands, NY was consecrated.
Regarded as an exemplar of the rural cemetery movement, Saint Agnes Cemetery has a long and fascinating history. The design of the cemetery combined burial space with landscaping in a rural, park-like setting. Treasures include statues and buildings designed by noted architects and artists. It is the burial place of industrialists, war veterans, religious, and politicians including: two Medal of Honor recipients, the founder of the Times Union, the initial benefactor for St. Peter’s Hospital, and the first officer killed in the Spanish American War.
Please join us for a tour of Historic St. Agnes Cemetery every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. beginning June 7. Tours will take approximately 1 and ½ hours. Tours will continue to be conducted through Labor Day.
Memorial Tree:
A Living TributeA Tree of Remembrance is a living tribute that combines the enduring beauty of a growing tree with the elegance of a traditional bronze memorial. For ages, trees have symbolized life – a fitting symbol of our Catholic belief in the eternal life that is our hope. In the Bible, the Book of Revelation describes our eternal destiny. Here the author regularly uses the term, “the tree of life” to describe the fruit and joy of heaven.
A memorial tree also will keep your loved one’s memory alive as it serves as a source of hope and inspiration to all cemetery visitors. In addition, the memorial tree will enhance the landscape of the cemetery and enrich the environment.
A Tree of Remembrance is truly a glorious testimonial that will span generations. From season to season this Tree of Remembrance will stand as a testament that a precious life has been lived and remembered. The rich bronze plaque adds reverence to the tribute while identifying the deceased.
You can memorialize your departed loved one with a one-time donation that includes the sapling and planting as well as a commemorative bronze plaque with granite foundation. Planting locations, time of planting and species of tree are at the discretion of the cemetery management and are based on beautification plans.
Call the office of St. Agnes Cemetery (463-0134) for more information.
Catholic Teaching on Cremation
Trends in funeral practices are changing. For various reasons, people are choosing cremation as an option after death. The Roman Catholic Bishops of New York State have written Catholic Teaching on Cremation: Questions and Answers from the Bishops of New York State ts to answer common questions Church teaching concerning cremation.
www.rcdacemeteries.org/Cremation.docCremation is permitted for Catholics as long as it is not chosen in denial of Christian teaching on the Resurrection and the sacredness of the human body. When cremation is chosen for a good reason, the full course of the Order of Christian Funerals should still be celebrated, including the Vigil Service (wake), the Funeral Liturgy, and the Rite of Committal. The preservation of this order allows for the greater expression of our beliefs and values. Through its funeral rites, the Church commends the dead to the merciful love of God and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins.
Church teaching insists that cremated remains must be given the same respect as the body. The cremated remains of a body are to be buried or entombed, preferably in a Catholic cemetery. The following are not considered to be reverent dispositions that the Church requires: scattering cremated remains, dividing cremated remains and keeping cremated remains in the home.
If you are considering cremation, it is wise to discuss your choice with your family, your parish priest, or the Diocesan Cemetery office. For further information on Catholic teachings on cremation, contact the staff at St. Agnes Cemetery at 518-463-0134.
The Diocese of Albany Invites you to the Commemoration of the Consecration of Saint Agnes CemeteryOn Sunday, September 30, Catholics throughout the Capital District will join Bishop Hubbard in a commemoration of the consecration of Saint Agnes Cemetery. The commemoration will begin with a procession through the cemetery followed by a Mass celebrated at the St. Agnes Mausoleum. We invite you to join fellow Catholics from the Diocese to remember the faithful departed and mark the 140th anniversary of the cemetery.
Event: Commemoration of the Consecration of Saint Agnes Cemetery
Date: September 30, 2007
Place: Saint Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY
Time: 12:00 noon Procession and Liturgy
Reception will follow the LiturgyPlease register by sending an email to Molly Nicol at molly.nicol@rcda.org.
The process of the general cemetery cleanup plays an important role in the beautification and preservation of the sacred resting place of the faithful departed. The cleanup is not intended to be punitive, but rather as defining an orderly plan of operation, care and permanent maintenance of our sacred space. A general cleanup is conducted twice a year, beginning on or about April 1 and November 1. All decorations are removed and discarded at this time. Lot owners should make sure they remove any decorations they wish to keep prior to these dates.
In addition to the two general cleanups, Christmas decorations are removed and discarded by the cemetery beginning January 15th, weather permitting.
Please call the Cemetery Office if you have any questions or require further information about the general cleanup.
Please visit our website at rcdacemeteries.org for more information on the location of our cemeteries and services offered. This is a great informational tool concerning the twelve cemeteries managed by the Albany Diocesan Cemeteries Office. From a listing of our most recently departed to general information concerning burial options, prices, bronze memorial designs, frequently asked questions, etc., the website provides data of general interest to our families whom we service or to those who are looking for assistance from a Diocesan cemetery. There is a short, colorful video presentation showing several sections of our cemeteries and a very helpful list of support groups sponsored by the Diocese.
If you can’t visit our Cemetery Office in person, visit the website. Either way, please let us know how we can best help you and your family.
If you know a someone who would like to receive the Albany Diocesan Cemetery Newsletter, please send their email address to Rick Touchette at rick.touchette@rcda.org.
If you are no longer interested in receiving this newsletter, please email Rick Touchette at rick.touchette@rcda.org and your name will be removed from the distribution list.
