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Letter from the President
Dear Friends of Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries,
This past week we celebrated the most holy of all days, Easter, the day Jesus rose from the dead and provided hope for our eventual resurrection. It's an intense time in the Church, filled with prayer, sacrifice and reflection on the suffering that Christ endured for our salvation.
It's also a time to reflect on the importance early Christians placed on the sacred care they gave to the body of the deceased. When Jesus died and was removed from the Cross, he was carefully anointed with oils and laid to rest in the tomb of Joseph of Arimethia. Had Jesus not resurrected from the dead, his burial tomb would serve as a memorial to his life and a place where Mary and his followers could visit and pay respects.
This tradition of burying and memorializing our departed has been carried out throughout our Christian heritage. Today, Catholics are obligated to properly memorialize the deceased by burying their remains in a blessed cemetery grave, crypt or cremation niche. These graveyards provide a place to hold the remains until their eventual resurrection and provide a place for memorialization and visitation.
On Memorial Day, May 30, all of our Catholic Cemeteries in the Diocese of Phoenix will be holding special Mass and military services to commemorate the lives of our departed family and friends. We invite you to join others in celebrating the lives of our departed family and friends at any one of our locations located throughout the Diocese. Please note below the time for each location's service.
Christ's Peace,
Gary L. Brown
President, CEO
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Holy Cross Cemetery, Avondale
Currently, the DOPCCM Council and Staff are working on completing a 75 year plan for Holy Cross Cemetery. Located at 99th Avenue and Thomas, the 36 year old cemetery's plans include a 15,000 to 20,000 square foot mortuary, several new burial gardens, cremation options and mausoleums. The mortuary would be DOPCCM's second funeral home. Queen of Heaven Mortuary in Mesa was opened in June of 2007. The initial site plan gained City of Avondale approval in early January and is now in the process of being designed.
For information on all of the DOPCCM Catholic Heritage Plan services and products, including ground burial, mausoleum, cremation, funeral and final expense insurance, call 602-723-2736. |
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As you visit the cemeteries, please remember to respect the rights of others who are visiting their loved ones graves by observing appropriate decorum.
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ST. FRANCIS CEMETERY
Part I
By Jim Jones, Manager, St. Francis Cemetery
Whenever I give the opening message at one of our Masses, I always welcome everyone to historic and generational St. Francis Cemetery. Historic? Yes! The first burial was performed on October 12, 1897. Generational? Absolutely! We have Great Greats of Greats of Grands of Moms and Dads of Daughters and Sons of Daughters and Sons. We have many five and some six Generations of the same family. How wonderful is it that generations of families can be laid to rest in the same cemetery?
Prior to 1969, St. Francis was operated by the Order of St. Francis, which was under the Diocese of Tucson. In 1969, Phoenix became an independent diocese and its first bishop, Bishop Edward McCarthy, made the decision that the diocese should operate St. Francis Cemetery.
In 1971, the first phase of the St. Francis Mausoleum was completed. It quickly became the focal point of the cemetery, as it is today. A history of the mausoleum will appear in the next newsletter.
On entering the cemetery, you will see a bronze statue of St. Francis located in the exterior circular drive to the mausoleum. This statue was designed by local artist Dean Dwyer of Studio Productions and cast by Arizona Bronze.
To the east of the mausoleum is the Crucifixion Altar depicting Christ's death on the cross for the salvation of mankind. Just east of the altar is the Holy Family Shrine memorializing the Divine Institution that is the human family.
In the 1950's, Resurrection Altar was the focal point of the cemetery. This altar is located east of the St. Francis Shrine area. It is surmounted by a great stained glass depiction of Christ's Resurrection. The stained glass was designed and created in Dublin, Ireland.
Immediately in front of Resurrection Altar are the six shrines of St. Francis. These shrines represent the six themes of the Peace Prayer. Shrine #1 is Love, #2 is Pardon, #3 is Faith, #4 is Hope, #5 is Light, and #6 is Joy.
There is so much more at the cemetery that I have not touched on. The beauty of St. Teresa Walkway when the oleanders are blooming and the serenity of the desert- scape cremation garden and walkway, along with the spiritual significance of our many statues are just a few.
I would like to thank one of my many mentors, Jim Novatny, for the original compilation of much of this material. I would also like to thank all of you who participate in this beautiful, historic, and generational St. Francis Cemetery.
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SILK FLOWERS
As a convenience to our families, Cemetery flowers are now available on our web site or from the displays in our cemetery offices. These beautiful silk bouquets are secured with the patented "Stay-In-The- VaseÒ" device. We will even place the flowers for you. These bouquets comply with our Decoration Policies. Keep in mind that the normal clean up dates apply.
Click on this link https://www.catholiccemeteriesphx.com/flowers to order from our Web Site. You may also purchase from the displays in the lobbies of our cemeteries.
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Flower Policy for Mother's Day, Memorial Day and Father's Day
St. Francis Cemetery, Holy Cross Cemetery, Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery
Flowers are permitted only in vases approved by DOPCCM. All flowers in ground level, invertible vases are permitted throughout the year. Placement of decorations for special days (Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, and All Souls' Day) may be placed seven (7) days before those days and are deemed removable by DPCCM seven (7) days after. The only exception to this will be the holiday of Christmas when decorations are permitted immediately after the Thanksgiving holiday with removal the second (2nd) week of January. All wreaths or other decorations must be on an easel, or sound support, which can be moved for suitable trimming around the Memorial. DOPCCM shall not be responsible or liable for decorations not removed by the Burial Right Owner or a visitor after the removal date occurs.
Holy Redeemer and All Souls Cemeteries
During the holiday periods (Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, All Souls' Day, Christmas), flower Grave decorations are allowed from seven (7) days preceding the holiday until seven (7) days after the holiday.
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Annual Staff and Advisory Council Day of Recollection
Every year, the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries holds a Day of Recollection for the staff and Advisory Council. A 'day of recollection' is a time apart from the usual events and schedules of our day.
The day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Omsted, Bishop of Phoenix. Father Zachary of the Mother of God, SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) facilitated the day on the theme of "Seeing Others as Christ Sees Them". Father Zachary focused on developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit to assist us in becoming holy - which is to do God's will and love God above all things. He spoke of the staff's ministry as cemeterians, this is not just a job, but a call.
This day offered us the opportunity ...to step out of our daily work schedules and routines; ...to reflect together on our mission and ministry at Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries; ...to enjoy the beauty and peace of Mount Claret Retreat Center.
 | | Father Zachary of the Mother of God, SOLT |
 
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Day of Recollection for Pastoral Ministers
Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix facilitated a Day of Reflection "I will lead you into the Desert. There I will speak to your heart" at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on March 5, 2011. This day of reflection, in preparation for Lent, was open to those who work in the ministries of pastoral care or bereavement at their parishes. Over 75 people registered for the event sponsored by Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries (DOPCCM) and underwritten by DOPCCM Office of Bereavement with the support of the Family and Community Counselors.
Bishop Nevares led the participants in Scriptural reflection based on the Ignatian method, where one uses active imagination to participate more fully in the mind, heart and work of Christ. After a day of thoughtful prayer and reflection, participants attended Mass celebrated by Bishop Nevares.
One participant commented "The method of meditation allowed me to envelope myself completely in the gospels". Another said "Bishop Nevares' kind, gentle spirit made one feel Jesus even more".
DOPCCM Office of Bereavement, with the support of a Bereavement Committee consisting of Larry Fraher, theological consultant; Isabella Rice, psychological consultant; Ron Friesen Bereavement Counselor and Debbie Reed, Director of DOPCCM Bereavement Resources, also provides ongoing training and support to bereavement services at Diocesan parishes. The Bereavement Care Training Program, a three part series of workshops, is offered yearly, free of charge, to assist in education and training for those who work with the bereaved in the parish setting.
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Cemetery Clean Up Dates
St. Francis Queen of Heaven Holy Cross
Week of July 11, 2011 October 10, 2011
January 9, 2012 April 16, 2012 July 9, 2012 October 8, 2012
All Souls Holy Redeemer
1st Tuesday of Each Month
No Flowers are allowed for the entire week |
Annual Memorial Services "Celebrating Life in a New Light" Honoring our loved ones who died between 11/2010 - 11/2011 Queen of Heaven Cemetery & Mortuary Memorial Mass December 3, 2011 11:00 am Holy Cross Cemetery
Memorial Service
December 6, 2011
4:30 pm Holy Redeemer Cemetery Memorial Service December 7, 2011 4:30 pm
St. Francis Cemetery
Memorial Service December 9, 2011 4:30 pm |
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Please direct comments about individual cemeteries to the emails listed above.
All other comments go to dreed@diocesephoenix.com
Check out our new website
http://www.catholiccemeteriesphx.com
Look for specials under Help With Your Decisions
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Debra Reed
Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries
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