‘A PLACE OF REST AND HOPE’

Bishop Mark blesses latest addition at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery

Bishop Mark O’Connell scatters holy water as he blesses the Holy Family Garden III on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) (Courtesy photo of CINDY SCHULTZ)

As the wind rustled through the trees on a breezy and cloudy Wednesday morning, Bishop Mark O’Connell asked those at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna to take a moment and listen.

“Every time I go to a grave,” he said, “unless it’s pouring or snowing or something like that, I pause for silence to remember those who’ve come before us. So let’s pause for silence and listen to the noises of the cemetery.”

It was a simple yet poignant request of those gathered to watch the blessing on Sept. 9 by Bishop Mark of the Holy Family Garden III, the newest expansion to the cemetery, which has been a vital memorial for the Catholic community in Schenectady and the surrounding area for over 100 years. In 1922, Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons purchased 48 acres from the Town of Niskayuna for a diocesan cemetery as most parishes did not have one at the time. The first burial was held on Aug. 6, 1924, and the property has grown ever since.

“The latest addition of Most Holy Redeemer Garden Section Phase III has been in the works for a couple of years,” said Terry Wallace, executive director of Albany Diocesan Cemeteries.  “We’ve finally carried the torch and crossed the finish line this spring. … One thing I’ve learned very early on in my role was that this community is extremely passionate and supportive of this cemetery. This passion and support have allowed us to continue to grow and develop our cemetery and it’s through ADC’s continued partnership with the community that will allow us to continue to grow together."

One person who has witnessed this passion and support up close is Father Bob Longobucco, Vicar General, who is also pastor of the Catholic Community of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, which has two churches in Schenectady.

“There are any number of reasons why I am the luckiest priest in the Diocese but not least among them is that I have this beautiful cemetery in my parish and I don’t have to maintain or direct it,” Father Longobucco said drawing laughs. “But above all, I’m very grateful for the solace that I see in the people that come here for the gift this is to them, to know that they just have the very presence of God and the beauty of nature and the presence of their loved ones and the prayerfulness of this place which only will abound more because of what we do today. Today is a very special day in the life of our parish, in the lives of our Diocese and in the lives of this community that gathers together honoring those who have gone before us, remembering them and being blessed by them.”

Father Longobucco then introduced Bishop Mark, and after the moment of silence, he continued: “Brothers and sisters in Christ, a common Christian concern has brought us together to bless this cemetery section where our bodies and the bodies of others sealed with the name of Christ will lie at rest awaiting the dawn of the Lord’s coming in glory. After preparing this resting place for the dead, we should raise our hearts from Earth to heaven and look to Christ who suffered and rose again for our salvation. He has commanded that we watch for his coming and has promised to meet us when we rise again.”

Father Jim O’Rourke then read a passage from the Book of Wisdom before Bishop Mark officially blessed the cemetery, 

“ … Grant that this cemetery, placed under the sign of the cross, may by the power of your blessing — then Bishop Mark blessed the grounds three times — may be a place of rest and hope,” Bishop Mark said. “May the bodies buried here sleep in your peace to rise immortal at the coming of your Son. May this place be a comfort to the living, a sign of their hope for unending life, their prayers be offered here continually in supplication for those who sleep in Christ. And in constant praise of your mercy, we ask this through Christ our Lord.”

To which those gathered responded: “Amen.”

Feeling that the original blessing was not sufficient enough, Bishop Mark then walked around the grounds for an additional, extended blessing with holy water.