Memorial Mass remembers loved ones

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More than 100 people prayed for departed loved ones during a Memorial Mass in the cross-shaped mausoleum at St. Mary's Cemetery in Troy July 22.

"Death is such an incredibly difficult time for people," said Anne March, assistant manager of the cemetery. "At the time of the funeral service, people have a lot that is going on."

The Memorial Masses, offered four times a year, allow people to mourn their loss and reflect on the life of their loved one after the initial shock of the death.

Community of faith

"It's also a testament of our faith," continued Ms. March. "Here you are with other people in the same boat. You have people around you that have had recent losses and you find comfort in that."

She can relate to the people who attend the Mass: Both her nephew and her sister have passed away.

"Mostly, everybody that works here has lost a parent or a close relative," she continued. "You have to be sensitive to people's needs."

Last words

Before the Mass, many people took comfort in writing a message to their loved ones in a memory book. After many requests, the book is available every day of the year; it used to be displayed only from All Soul's Day through the end of November.

"They write how much they miss their loved ones," said Rev. Richard Testa from St. Peter's parish in Troy, the celebrant of the Mass. People also attached flowers and notes to the stones on the marble walls in the mausoleum.

During the Mass, Father Testa told about a recent funeral service for an elderly woman. Her husband insisted that poker chips be placed inside her coffin. The husband said to the funeral director: "You better open it up because she wouldn't want to go without them!"

"They all broke out laughing at that point," continued Father Testa. "This is an illustration that we Catholics can laugh at the turn of death because we have faith that life goes on. We will be together again."

Remembrance

Father Testa told the congregation to "live the way Jesus taught us to. In a setting like this mausoleum, we can almost hear the voices of all our loved ones confirming this, saying, 'Yes, be prepared! Be ready.' Now its up to us to make an answer to them."

Heads bowed as he read the names of those buried in St. Mary's, St. John's and St. Jean's cemeteries since the last memorial Mass, April 8.

Father Testa and the congregation prayed especially for the "people who mourn that they know the consolation of God's love."

Comforting

Karen Elden and her mother, Jean O'Brien, have been to every Memorial Mass since her father passed away last November.

"What better way to remember than to pray for your beloved ones and their souls?" Ms. Elden said. "They can never have enough prayers."

(Memorial services are also offered at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands and Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. The next memorial service at St. Mary's will be Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. For more information, call the diocesan Cemetery Office, 432-4953.)

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