|
Catholic Cemetery Conference:
58th Annual Convention and Exposition
Conference-goers called to evangelize, promote Church teaching
By J.D. Long-García, The Catholic Sun
October 4, 2007
Catholic cemetery directors from across the country converged in Phoenix to share ideas and develop new ways of serving those in need at their annual conference.
The Phoenix Diocese hosted the Catholic Cemetery Conference’s 58th Annual Convention and Exposition Sept. 19-22 to promote hope in the resurrection.
Portland Archbishop John G. Vlazny, the episcopal moderator of the conference, concelebrated the Mass of Remembrance with Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas and priests from different states.
“Catholic ministry is largely in the hands of lay women and lay men,” Archbishop Vlazny said in his homily, noting the lay leadership of Catholic cemeteries.
The archbishop called to mind the early Korean Church, which was founded by lay people. The faith flourished even before priests could celebrate the Eucharist, he said.
“There must be a living faith before there can be a meaningful celebration of the sacraments,” he said.
Archbishop Vlanzy also led the congregation in the Memorial Rose Commemoration, which honors conference members who died in the past year.
As each member’s name was called out, the archbishop placed a rose in vase while the congregation chanted, “Jesus remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
“As we remember those who have passed, we remember that we’re one day closer to our own deaths,” he said. “It would be humble of us to remember that God is waiting for us to repent. God is waiting to forgive us.”
After Mass Mark R. Lazaroski, president of the Catholic Cemetery Conference, spoke about challenges members face.
“Secularism has led to the degradation of burial traditions,” he said. “We’re dealing with the issues of a disposable society.”
Lazaroski, from the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y., said the conference is reaching out to hospitals to arrange respectful treatment of amputated body parts and miscarried fetuses. He also said cremation is a big issue.
“Catholic cemeteries promulgates proper respect for cremated remains,” Lazaroski said. Catholic teaching requires that cremated remains be wholly deposited in a resting place, not scattered about.
“We are cemeterians, but more importantly we are ministers of corporal acts of mercy,” he said.
Gary Brown, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries in the Phoenix Diocese, said Arizona cemeteries face additional challenges.
“Unlike cemeteries back East and other areas, we’re establishing a new tradition,” he said. “It’s extremely important that we bring these people in to experience Catholic burials.”
Bishop Kicanas addressed members about the role Catholic cemeteries play in faith communities.
“In the technologically sophisticated society in which we live, life is still mistreated,” he said. “Even in death, we as Catholics cherish the human body, we hold it in honor.”
Catholic cemeteries were established because the Church treasures life and the memory of those who have passed, Bishop Kicanas said.
“Like Christ, we strive to be with others in their pain,” the bishop said. “Being Catholic means having a certain understanding of life and death.”
Bishop Kicanas said he’d recently been to a cemetery in Russia, a burial place devoid of religious imagery and symbols.
“Angels and saints are reminders that God never disappoints,” he said. “Symbols help people realize that this is not the end.”
Bishop Kicanas said members are responsible for evangelizing and promoting the Church’s teaching of eternal life.
“Life is the precious gift of God, so we set aside land, we consecrate it and make it holy. In that place the remains will stay until the trumpet sounds and we are summoned to take our place in heaven,” he said. “If we die in Christ, we will rise in Him."
|
