|
JULY 2008 CONTENTS Sts. Cyril and Method Cemetery Cemetery Beautification
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. Remaining Masses for 2008 are listed below. All masses begin at 9:00 AM in the Mausoleum Chapel.St. Agnes Cemetery: Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery: St. Mary’s Cemetery:
Albany Diocesan Cemeteries would like to thank the following priests who have graciously agreed to celebrate the Memorial Masses this year: Fr. Brucker, Fr. Tartaglia, Fr. Sullivan, Fr. Deimeke, Fr. Stanley, Fr. O’Brien, Fr. Patterson, Fr. Gorman, Fr. DeMartinis, Fr. Longobucco, and Fr. Leskovar.
|
Caption: Piper Peter Lounsbery performs at the ceremony celebrating the listing of Saint Agnes Cemetery on the National Register, June 26, 2008.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 ceremony on Thursday, June 26th at St. Agnes Cemetery to celebrate the listing of this rural Catholic cemetery on the National Historic Register. Over seventy-five people attended including NY State legislators, local historians, diocesan representatives, and supportive community members. Restoration efforts in the Founders’ Hill area of St. Agnes Cemetery will be taking place over the next several years. Any donations of time, talent, or treasures are always welcome.Several upcoming events are listed in these pages including the photo contest, Historic Tours, Memorial Masses, and the All Souls Day remembrances. I hope you will join us for some or all of these events!
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) 463-0134
Caption: Local historians, legislators and citizens join in the Historic Designation Ceremony at St. Agnes Cemetery.Historic Designation Ceremony
On Thursday, June 26, a group of 75 local political representatives, diocesan employees, friends, historians, and cemetery employees gathered to celebrate the addition of Saint Agnes Cemetery to the National Register of Historic Sites. Father Michael Farano opened up the ceremony with a prayer for those who are interred and entombed at this sacred site. Deputy Commissioner Winthrope Aldrich of the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation presented St. Agnes Cemetery with a certificate in recognition of the listing on the National and NY State Registers of Historic Sites. Senator Neil Breslin spoke of the importance of this beautiful place devoted to the memory of those who have passed before us. He reminisced about visiting family members on quiet Sunday afternoons. Assemblyman Robert Reilly congratulated Saint Agnes Cemetery on receiving this honor and applauded the cemetery for restoring the property to its original purpose as a space to memorialize our loved ones as well as a park-like setting where the public can enjoy contemplative walks, historic tours, and events. Assemblyman John McEneny unveiled the commemorative plaque marking Saint Agnes Cemetery as a National Historic Property. He also spoke of the importance of restoration and preservation of the monuments and landscape of this rural cemetery. Assemblyman Tim Gordon was the final representative to speak. He also congratulated St. Agnes Cemetery and emphasized its historic importance to the Albany Heritage Area.
The group adjourned to the Historic Map room for a reception following the ceremony. Peter Lounsbery serenaded the group with bag pipe music.
Restoration Work 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 a prime example of rural cemetery design in the country. Senator Breslin, Assemblyman McEneny, and Assemblyman Reilly have all contributed to our efforts as well as several private citizens. The first order of business is monument assessment and restoration recommendations. Road and path repair will follow. Our thanks also go to the Davey Tree Expert Company for beginning a tree identification and assessment 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.
People
Karen Kopanski and Meg Bergh Mihalko
After 15 years of faithful service, Helene Bennedum has earned a well deserved retirement. Helene worked as an Assistant Manager at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. She and her husband, Tom, will be enjoying more time with each other and with their grandchildren.
Elaine Niscevic-Fernandez has moved from the office at St. Agnes Cemetery to the Most Holy Redeemer office and will take on Helene’s duties.
We are pleased to introduce you to two new members of the staff at St. Agnes Cemetery. Meg Bergh Mihalko and Karen Kopanski have joined our staff effective July 1, 2008. Meg and Karen have led the Diocesan Family Life Office for many years. Their experience in bereavement ministry will be a valuable asset to the cemetery ministry. Meg and Karen will be assisting families and funeral directors with all aspects of burial and memorialization at the 8 cemeteries operated from the St. Agnes office.
Our new team members look forward to meeting you and working with you to assist our families. Please stop in and introduce yourselves to Meg and Karen.
Al Doyle, Firefighter of the Month
Al Doyle – Firefighter of the Month
Al Doyle, Cemetery Manager for the Albany Diocesan Cemeteries was recently honored as Firefighter of the Month for the Center Burnswick Volunteer Fire Company. Al has been a firefighter for twenty-nine years.
On the cold, miserable morning of Saturday, December 22, 2007, Al was enroute from his home in Eagle Mills to St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands at approximately 5:40 AM to treat the icy roads at the cemetery. As he was driving down Cemetery Avenue, he heard what sounded like coyotes, which is a common sound in this vicinity. Al backed up after passing 40 Cemetery Ave. to see what was causing that sound. He noticed a dog by the end of the driveway and then spotted Eleanor Shutter attempting to crawl on the ice outside her home. She had slipped on the ice some forty minutes earlier and was injured. Al jumped into action by calling Emergency Medical Services and attempted to keep Eleanor warm with his coat. The Town of Colonie Emergency Medical Services arrived approximately five minutes later. Mrs. Shutter had sustained a broken hip and was beginning to suffer the effects of hypothermia. Through Al’s quick actions, Eleanor has made a full recovery.
We are very proud of the care, concern and quick action demonstrated by Al Doyle. We are honored to have him as part of our cemetery family.
Historic Tours of Saint Agnes ---- not just for walkers anymore!
Historic tours of Saint Agnes Cemetery continue this year every Thursday at 11:00 from June through August. As it provides the best way to view the beauty of the cemetery, these tours are walking tours. However, to accommodate those cannot walk or those who prefer to ride, we have contracted with the Albany Aqua Ducks to supply a trolley on the following dates for tours of the cemetery:
July 31
August 28
September 25
October 23If you would like to participate in a trolley tour, please sign up through the Albany Aqua Ducks by calling 518-462-3825 or register online at their website: www.albanyaquaducks.com
First Annual Cemetery Photo Contest THIS SUMMER!
The Cemetery Photo Contest is well underway at St. Agnes Cemetery. Many photographers have registered and are busy snapping pictures in the cemetery. Amateurs and professionals are welcome to participate in this photo contest. Up to two photographs per person may be submitted. Pictures should be of monuments, statuary, trees, wildlife, and views within St. Agnes Cemetery. Brother Carl, Principal of LaSalle Institute and photographer, Joann Hoose, photography teacher at Academy of the Holy Names, and a diocesan representative will judge the photos in early September. We have secured the gallery in the Colonie Town Hall for the photo show and reception which will be held in October. Entry forms and contest rules are available in the cemetery office. Spread the word and come capture the beauty on film.
The Blessing of the Headstone Service is available to all families
Blessing of the Headstone Service available
to all families
The Catholic Cemetery is a place of prayer. When we place a headstone or marker at a grave, it not only memorializes those who are buried there, it also helps us focus our prayer. To conduct a specific blessing service for that grave memorial is an appropriate action.
The Albany Diocesan Cemeteries is now pleased to make this communal blessing service available to families. To arrange a blessing service for the grave memorial of your loved one, call the cemetery office. We will arrange a convenient time for conducting the service so that all family members can attend. A member of our staff will lead the blessing service.
Tree Removal at Sts. Cyril
Sts. Cyril and Method Cemetery
and MethodOver four acres of red pine trees at Sts. Cyril and Method Cemetery will be removed. The trees have become infested with an insect that is permanently damaging the trees. If left unattended, the trees could decay and fall. In order to avoid this potentially hazardous situation, the trees will be taken down. All appropriate town and NY State permits have been issued for this work. As a result of the tree removal, there will eventually be additional grave space available at Sts. Cyril and Method Cemetery. Please bear with us during this project.
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.
