St. Mary’s Cemetery, dating back to 1847, is located on Plainfield Avenue in Watchung, the original location of St. Mary’s Church.
November is traditionally the month for remembering in special ways the faithful departed. We pray for their swift admission into Heaven, but also, because the human body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 CORINTHIANS 6:19), we reverence their burial places. This month has me thinking about our parish cemetery. Unfortunately, we have only a handful of plots remaining for in-ground burials. For those who wish to be cremated, we have the beautiful St. Christopher Memorial Garden. We also have, of course, two mausoleums for entombments, including cremains.
A project it seems important to take on, especially with our cemetery grounds nearly full, is the repair and enhancement, both inside and outside, of our mausoleums. Indeed, the Chapel Mausoleum is nearing 30 years old. As plans for inside the mausoleums finalize, there will be, I’m sure, memorial opportunities for liturgical appointments (furniture), e.g., altars, ambos, chairs, etc. I will be sure to keep you posted on this project in the months ahead.
If you think you would like to memorialize a liturgical appointment in either mausoleum, please feel free to speak with me after Mass or to make an appointment through the Parish Office to talk about it. My prayerful good wishes for the week ahead. Please remember to pray for me.
Msgr. Benwell