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FEB 2008 CONTENTS Veterans at Saint Agnes Cemetery Saint Agnes Named To The National Register Restoration Work to Begin at Saint Agnes Come to the 2008 Public Policy Day International Audubon Society Migratory Bird Count Announcing The First Annual Cemetery Photo Contest
Memorial Masses 2008 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. Masses for 2008 are listed below. All masses begin at 9:00 AM in the Mausoleum Chapel. St. Agnes Cemetery: Sat, April 12 Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery: St. Mary’s Cemetery:
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The sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War fire a musket salute.Dear Friends,
Greetings!
Welcome to the next edition of Sacred Spaces, the Albany Diocesan Cemetery electronic newsletter. There is quite a bit of information contained in these pages. I hope you will take a few minutes to enjoy the articles, share the news with friends, and pass your comments on to us.
We had a terrific Veterans’ Day ceremony at St. Agnes Cemetery involving local active duty military representatives and veterans groups. I hope you will consider “enlisting” in the Civil War effort aimed at replacing worn civil war monuments dating back to 1868.
Other restoration and preservation work is beginning on Founders’ Hill in St. Agnes Cemetery. In December, St. Agnes Cemetery was named to the NY State Register of Historic Sites which recognizes the historic significance of the landscape, monuments, and citizens buried here. If you can help with preservation efforts, please contact me. Donations of any size are appreciated. Remember, previous generations made the effort to build this sacred space. . . it is our sacred duty to preserve it.
Many upcoming events are listed in these pages including the annual bird count, a photo contest, and the National Historic Registry ceremony. I hope you will join us!
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
The old and the replacement tombstones of Private Thomas Smullen.
Veterans at Saint Agnes Cemetery
St. Agnes Cemetery, founded in 1867, is the resting place of hundreds of veterans of the Civil War. Many of the original marble headstones, ravaged by time and weather, are nearly illegible.
On Sunday, November 11, at 1:30, over 70 people attended a ceremony to unveil and bless the first restored headstone of Civil War veteran Thomas D. Smullen. The ceremony began with a Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War color guard procession from the main gates. Colonel Kevin R. Moore, U.S. Army Commander of the Watervliet Arsenal, unveiled the beautifully restored headstone. Deacon Robert Herzog conducted the blessing of the headstone. Assemblyman John J. McEneny spoke about the significance of this historic landmark cemetery and the value of this restoration effort. The local Civil War Re-enactors then fired a musket salute.
Thomas Smullen’s grave has been chosen as an example of a veteran marker in need of restoration. Although clearly the grave of a Union veteran of the Civil War, a rubbing was required to decipher the inscription. A search of NY State Militia records revealed the fact that Smullen was 23 when he enlisted at Albany to serve three years, and mustered in as a private in Co. A on April 3, 1865. He mustered out with the Company on August 28, 1865 at Cumberland Maryland. Cemetery records indicate that Thomas D. Smullen was born in Ireland, and died in the County Hospital in Albany on April 26, 1887 at the age of 45.
The Cemetery applied for a replacement headstone from the Veterans Administration. This new granite headstone was installed next to the original. The entire Civil War Restoration Project is expected to take 12 to 18 months and involve volunteer groups, veterans groups, youth groups, and employees of the cemetery.
Saint Agnes Named to the National Register of Historic Sites
The beautiful McArdel lot is at the center of Founders’ Hill.On Thursday, December 13, Saint Agnes Cemetery was named as a Historic Site on the NY State registry of historic places. Six weeks later, the cemetery was also listed on the National Registry of historic places. This honor recognizes the historic significance of Saint Agnes Cemetery landscape and the citizens buried here. Special thanks are offered to Dan McEneny of the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation for his hard work in documenting and presenting the history of St. Agnes. A ceremony to present the scroll and certificate will be held in the summer. See the spring newsletter for date and time. All are welcome to attend.
Restoration Work to Begin at Saint Agnes Cemetery
The Founders Hill project is a restoration effort being undertaken at St. Agnes Cemetery to ensure the preservation of the historic, artistic, and natural beauty of this rural cemetery. The project will span multiple years and will involve monument restoration, historic record and book preservation, road and path improvement, and landscaping enhancements. The results of this project will ensure the long term public enjoyment and appreciation of one of the oldest rural cemeteries in the country. Many civic, state, national, and private organizations will be required to complete the project.
If you can help, please contact Molly Nicol at molly.nicol@rcda.org. Donations of any size are appreciated. Remember, previous generations made the effort to build this sacred space. . . .it is our sacred duty to preserve it.
Come to the 2008 Public Policy Day
March 11!Make plans now to join with Edward Cardinal Egan and the Bishops of New York State, as well as hundreds of other Catholic New Yorkers, at the state Capitol in Albany for the annual New York State Catholic Conference Public Policy Forum to be held on Tuesday, March 11.
The program will begin at 9:45 a.m. Participants will meet with their legislators and hand out materials outside of the Senate and Assembly chambers. Issue workshops will be available, as will a special youth workshop for high school students. Mass with the Bishops is at 11 a.m.
Event: New York State Catholic Conference
Date: March 13, 2007
Place: Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, NY
Time: 8:30 a.m. Registration; 9:45 Program; 11:00 MassPlease register online at www.nyscatholic.org.
International Audubon Society Migratory Bird Count Saturday May 3
Birders enjoy the natural beauty of Saint Agnes Cemetery, May 2007. Mark your calendars and please join us for the 2nd Annual Audubon International Migratory Bird Count. Every year near then first Saturday in May, Audubon International sponsors a Bird Counting Contest. The objective is to see, hear, and count as many migratory birds as possible. This helps the Audubon Society track and study the long term health of our bird population.
This year, Saint Agnes Cemetery will again be host to this event on Saturday, May 3. There will be two shifts of bird watchers: 6a.m. – 9a.m. for the “early birds” and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. for the “night owls”. Cemetery maps, counting checklists, bird identification sheets, and light refreshments will be available. Amateurs and professionals are welcome. We hope to beat last year’s record of 41 species!
Announcing the First Annual Cemetery Photo Contest:
Amateurs and professionals are welcome to participate in the first photo contest ever held in Saint Agnes Cemetery. Photographers are welcome to take pictures of monuments, statuary, trees, wildlife, and views in St. Agnes Cemetery between May 26, 2008 and August 31, 2008. Entry forms and contest rules will be available in the cemetery office beginning May 15. Judging will take place during the first 2 weeks of September. A reception to award prizes and display photos will be held in the fall. Spread the word and come capture the beauty on film.
Considering Cremation?
Glass front niches are one option for reverent disposition of cremated remains. Church teaching insists that cremated remains must be given the same respect as the body, including a worthy container to hold the cremated remains, the manner in which they are carried, and the attention given to their appropriate transport and placement.
The cremated remains of a body are to be buried or entombed, preferably in a Catholic cemetery, and using the rites provided by the Order of Christian Funerals. Scattering cremated remains, dividing cremated remains, and keeping cremated remains in the home are not considered the reverent dispositions that the Church requires.
For a copy of “Catholic Teaching on Cremation: Questions and Answers from the Bishops of New York State”, please call 432-4953 or e-mail Rick@rcda.org
People
Joan Sherwood, Jeanne Qualters, and Barbara Fitzgerald We are pleased to introduce you to 3 new members of our staff. Jeanne Qualters, Joan Sherwood, and Barbara Fitzgerald have joined the St. Agnes Cemetery office effective January 1. Jeanne and Joan will be assisting families and funeral directors with all aspects of burial and memorialization at the 8 cemeteries operated from the St. Agnes office.
Jeanne, a long time resident of Albany, comes to us from the St. Vincent de Paul parish. She has extensive experience in bereavement ministry and looks forward to working with all of you. Joan resides in Colonie and is a member of St. Clare’s parish. She has 20 years of experience in bereavement ministry and is the chair of the funeral liturgy planning committee.
Barbara Fitzgerald has joined the office as an Executive Assistant for development and outreach. Barbara is a member of St. Pius X church. She, her husband John, and her 3 children reside in Loudonville.
Our new team members look forward to meeting you and working with you to assist our families.
The process of the general cemetery beautification plays an important role in the preservation of the sacred resting place of the faithful departed. The beautification 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 beautification 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.
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 thirteen 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 someone who would like to receive the Albany Diocesan Cemetery Newsletter, please send their email address to Rick Touchette at Rick@rcda.org.
If you are no longer interested in receiving this newsletter, please email Rick Touchette at Rick@rcda.org and your name will be removed from the distribution list.
