OUR CATHOLIC CEMETERIES:

ow I am going to tell you a mystery.... all of us are to be changedin an instant, in the twinkling of an eye,at the sound of the last trumpet.The trumpet will sound and the deadwill be raised incorruptible,and we shall be changed.This corruptible body must be clothedwith incorruptibility,this mortal body with immortality.When the corruptible frame takes onincorruptibilityand the mortal immortality,then will the saying of Scripture be ful-filled:Death is swallowed up in victory.O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?

1 Corinthians 15:51-55Did you know that the very first place of Christianevangelization was a cemetery? The angel said toMary Magdalene at the tomb, “He is not here. Hehas been raised from the dead.” That is the firstproclamation of the good news that Christ is victori-ous over sin and death.

Everywhere in the Church there is talk of the NewEvangelization, of proclaiming the message of Jesus,the Good News of Jesus, with fresh ardor, methodsand expression. The word “Evangelium” has a longhistory. The term appears in the second part of Isaiah(cf. Is. 40:9), as a voice that announces joy from God,a voice that makes it clear that God has not forgottenHis people.

Isaiah reassures the Israelites—and us—that God is still here, is present, even ifit may seem as if He is absent. Isaiahasserts that God has power, God givesjoy. God opens the doors of exile. Afterthe long night of exile, His light appearsand provides to His people the possibili-ty of returning home. He renews thestory of good, the story of His love.

In the time of Caesar Augustus theword “Evangelium” was used for theemperor’s message. The first Christiansused the term Evangelium very inten-tionally. They wanted to say that JesusChrist is THE message from the ruler of

heaven and earth. Jesus Christ is God’s Word, God’smessage of love to humanity. The first Christians inusing the term Evangelium were announcing a victo-ry over sin, over all that separates us from God andfrom one another. They were boldly proclaimingChrist’s victory over the grave.

Our Catholic cemeteries are places of the NewEvangelization. The words spoken at our cemeteriesare comforting, reassuring us that in our loss, in ourpain, God is with us. We no longer need grieve overdeath like those who have no hope. As Saint Paulteaches in his letter to the Thessalonians: “For if webelieve that Jesus died and rose, so too will God,through Jesus, bring with Him those who have fallenasleep.” Grateful for our belief that “Nothing IsImpossible with God,” I am,

Your brother in Christ,

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PLACES OF NEWEVANGELIZATION

To perform the Corporal Work of Mercy of burying thedead and to care for their resting places; to preserve,promote and protect the Church’s teachings ondeath and resurrection; and to console the bereaved.

; St. Mary Master plan revealed, page 2; Executive Director retiring, page 3; CCA is going GREEN, page 4 & 5; Nationwide Diocesan Salute, page 7; The Catholic Funeral PlanTM , page 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

by Most Reverend David A. Zubik, D.D.

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718 Hazelwood AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15217-2807

412-521-9133

VISIT US ON THE WEB:

WWW.CCAPGH.ORGWWW.CFPPGH.COM

he Catholic Cemeteries Association has complet-ed the initial master plan for additional in-ground bur-ial sites and garden niches for cremated remainswhich will be developed at St. Mary DiocesanCemetery in Lawrenceville. The plan calls for beauti-ful landscaped gardens, stone walls, cremation gar-dens and premier estate lots available for purchase.

The center piece of this development project will be a15’ tall, full round, solid granite statue of Saint Francisof Assisi on a round base with arms outstretchedblessing the city. The inspiring statue was donated toThe Catholic Cemeteries Association by theFranciscan Sisters in Millvale (now known as theSisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities)when the former Saint Francis Hospital was closed.(Thank you, Sisters!) The statue stood on the hospitalgrounds for decades and has been in safekeeping wait-ing for its new location. It will stand just a short dis-

tance from its former location on the hospital groundsand will once again extend his blessing over the Cityof Pittsburgh and Saint Mary Cemetery.

In addition to the in-ground garden sections beingadded, the former St. Mary Church building will beconverted into a chapel mausoleum and will providethe cemetery with approximately 600 crypts forabove-ground entombment, which will be locatedinside this beautiful former church building. The newmausoleum will also serve as a committal chapel for allfunerals received at the cemetery. We are not aware ofany other location in the country where a formerCatholic church has been converted into a chapel mau-soleum – truly a one of a kind opportunity!

For more information on this one of a kind and beau-tiful project please call us at 412-421-9959.

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MASTER PLAN FOR ST. MARY REVEALED

Burial in a Former Church Site

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CCA PREPARES FOR A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

nnabelle McGannon, Executive Director of TheCatholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese ofPittsburgh, has announced her intention to retire fromher position later this summer. Ms.McGannon has been with theCemeteries Association since 1986 andwas appointed executive director bythen Bishop Donald Wuerl in 1993.

During her tenure, Ms. McGannon hassolidified the Association as one of thepremier Catholic cemetery organiza-tions in the country. For her leadershipshe was recognized by the internationalCatholic Cemetery Conference with thefirst-ever “Reverend William P. CaseyCatholic Cemeterian of the YearAward” in 2008. One of her manyaccomplishments was the introductionof the Catholic Funeral PlanTM, which isa faith-based funeral planning alterna-tive designed specifically for Catholicfamilies who want to ensure that their funerals includeall the essential elements of a Catholic funeral. ThePlan, which began here in the Diocese of Pittsburgh,is now offered in numerous other dioceses across thecountry.

A “My 27 years with The Catholic CemeteriesAssociation have been nothing but a great blessing tome. It is a privilege to work in the Catholic cemetery

ministry, charged with performing theCorporal Work of Mercy of burying thedead and caring for their resting placeson a daily basis. None of the work doneby this diocesan corporation or its exec-utive director could be accomplishedwithout the extraordinary dedicationand compassion of the people who workin our diocesan cemeteries. I am veryproud to call them colleagues andfriends, and I know that the corporationand its very important work are in thebest of hands.”

The Catholic Cemeteries Associationwas established in 1952 by Bishop JohnDearden to assist the diocesan bishopwith his responsibility to provide sacred

resting places for the faithful. The Association ownsand operates the sixteen diocesan cemetery propertieslocated throughout Allegheny and WashingtonCounties.

STAYING INFORMED We Provide Training

Annabelle McGannon Annouces Retirement

he Catholic Cemeteries Association providesongoing training sessions for all of our field employeesto enhance their operational skills, encourage goodcommunication and promote excellent customer serv-ice. The training sessions may consist of individualtraining in the field or group training. Recently thetrainings have focused on customer service, new prod-ucts, procedures and health and wellness.

Here at The Catholic Cemeteries Association we have51 experienced field employees working in our 15active diocesan cemeteries. Many of those employeeshave been with The Catholic Cemeteries Associationfor over 25 years. Our workers are very dedicated toservicing the Catholic families who come to our ceme-teries.

Whether it is completing a burial, dressing a gravesiteor helping someone in the cemetery to locate a lovedone, they provide excellent customer service and awillingness to assist when needed. We take pride in allof our employees and their willingness to go the extra

mile for the families that we are privileged to serve.

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Annabelle McGannon Executive Director

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CATHOLIC CEMETERIES IS GOING GREEN!

Saint Francis of Assisi Green Burial Detailshe Catholic Cemeteries Association announces the

development of a Green Burial Section to be located inHoly Savior Diocesan Cemetery in Pine/RichlandTownships. Demand for this new form of burial hasincreased somewhat in recent years and has promptedthe Cemeteries Association to establish our first GreenBurial location.

An organization by the name of the Green BurialCouncil (GBC) exists to promote this environmentallyfriendly form of disposition. The Council is an inde-pendent, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization workingto encourage environmentally sustainable death careand the use of burial as a new means of protecting nat-ural areas. With the involvement of environmentalists,scientists, lawyers, and representatives from the funer-al service industry, the Council has set forth theworld’s first standards and eco-certification programfor burial grounds, funeral homes and burial products.These specific standards must be met and maintainedby the cemetery to retain the green designation of theburial ground.

The Green Burial Council certifies three categories ofburial grounds:

1. Hybrid Burial Grounds (One Leaf Rating)

2. Natural Burial Grounds (Two Leaf Rating)

3. Conservation Burial Grounds (Three Leaf Rating)

The order in which these categories are listed reflectsincreasing requirements to meet the particular stan-dard. Each level of certification is in addition to theprevious level(s) requirements.

The new section in Holy Savior Cemetery will bedesigned as a level two “Natural Burial Ground.”

“Natural Burial Grounds require the adoption of prac-tices/protocols that are energy-conserving, minimizewaste, and do not require the use of toxic chemicals. ANatural Burial Ground achieves GBC certification byprohibiting the use of vaults (partial, inverted or other-wise), vault lids, concrete boxes, slabs or partitionedliners, and by prohibiting the burial of decedentsembalmed with toxic chemicals, as well as by banningburial containers not made from natural/plant derivedmaterials. It must have in place a program of

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and be designed,operated and maintained to produce a naturalisticappearance, based on use of plants and materialsnative to the region, and patterns of landscape derivedfrom and compatible with regional ecosystems.”

The new section will be named Saint Francis of AssisiGreen Burial Section, in honor of the saint’s love ofcreation and all natural things.

A beautiful pavilion has been designed which will beused for Committal Services for those being interredin the Saint Francis of Assisi section. The structurewill accommodate approximately 50 people for servic-es and also serve as a shelter for visitation. It hasarched sides and Ashlar stone columns supporting anoctagonal roof, which is clad with recycled metal man-ufactured within 500 miles of the site to keep with the“green” nature of the new section. An artist’s render-ing of the Committal Pavilion can be seen on thedrawing on page five of this newsletter.

Natural limestone and granite boulders will be placedinside the section near the religious feature of SaintFrancis where all the deceased will be memorialized.No individual memorials are permitted in the sectionand nothing is permitted to be placed at any individ-ual gravesite.

The Green Burial Section follows the same visitationschedule permitted for the rest of the cemetery prop-erty – dawn to dusk, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ifyou are interested in exploring this type of burialoption please contact Holy Savior Cemetery at 724-625-3822.

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“a beautiful pavilion has

been designed which

will be used for

committal services...”

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Once an individual is hired, they undergo a formal,comprehensive, professional training program.Depending on the particular background and skills ofthe employee, they are assigned to either the FamilyService Division or the Memorial Counselor Division.

Family Service Counselors assist families who havejust experienced the death of a loved one, inform thefamilies of the various options available to them, andaid in coordinating and making final arrangements.Memorial Counselors assist Catholic families in pre-planning for their final arrangements so as to avoid theneed for stressful decisions at the time of a death, aswell as providing families with a helpful planningguide to get their affairs in order.

As we strive to better serve our Catholic families, wecontinue to seek qualified individuals who share ourvision and this important ministry of the Church. Tolearn more about career opportunities within theCounseling/Customer Service Department at CCA,please call Denise at 1-877-886-7526 or email yourresume´ to jobs@ccapgh.org.

A NATIONWIDE DIOCESAN SALUTE!

n 2013, Catholic Cemeteries across the UnitedStates will participate in a national Memorial Day pro-gram to honor those men and women who died whileserving in the armed forces, as well as military veter-ans, and those active military who are stillserving our country, it was announced bythe Catholic Cemetery Conference.

“Serving God and Country: A MemorialDay Salute to Our Heroes” will invite par-ticipation by thousands of both active mil-itary and veterans during Memorial DayMass, as well as a host of other Cemetery-related activities. Many cemeteries areexpected to conduct a ceremonial wreathlaying and special blessing. The Most ReverendTimothy P. Broglio, JCD, Archbishop for theArchdiocese of the Military Services USA will serveas National Spokesperson for the Catholic CemeteryConference National Memorial Day program.

“Cemeteries, both large and small, are invited to par-ticipate in the Memorial Day program in support ofthose loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice,as well as our active military and veterans,” said Carol

Giambalvo, President, Catholic CemeteryConference. “There is no greater sacrificea man or woman can make for their coun-try,” added Giambalvo.” While our lovedones are always in our hearts, MemorialDay allows us the opportunity to recog-nize and honor their service to our coun-try.”

The Catholic Cemeteries Association ofthe Diocese of Pittsburgh is participating

in this nationwide salute to our veterans with prayerservices in our diocesan cemeteries over the MemorialDay weekend. Please check the schedule of activitieson our website at www.ccapgh.org

IA Memorial Day Salute to Our Heros

ith 15 active diocesan cemeteries and approxi-mately 3,500 burials each year, the task of servicingCatholic families from a sales and customer serviceperspective remains as one of the most importantobjectives of The Catholic Cemeteries Association(CCA). Our CCA cemetery offices range from com-munities such as Tarentum in the north, toMonongahela in the south, and from North Versaillesin the east, to Moon Township in the west. Given thisbroad geographical spectrum, and to effectively serveour families, we are always engaged in the process ofreceiving, evaluating, and considering candidates foremployment from markets throughout the greaterPittsburgh area.

Our recruiting process usually starts with a potentialcandidate responding to one of our employment adver-tisements found on the internet, on our website, in alocal newspaper, or even as a result of someone beingreferred to CCA from a current customer or employ-ee. Once we have identified a candidate, there is anextensive interview and review process before a candi-date is offered a position as a counselor.

WYou Could Be Our Next EmployeeWE ARE ALWAYS SEEKING QUALITY INDIVIDUALS

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he Board of Trustees of The Catholic CemeteriesAssociation (CCA) of the Diocese of Pittsburgh hasannounced the selection of Mr. Michael Sinnott as theAssistant Executive Director of the CCA effective May1, 2013. Mr. Sinnott will serve in the capacity ofAssistant Director during a three-month orientationperiod, after which he will be appointed to succeed Ms.Annabelle McGannon as Executive Director. Ms.McGannon previously announced her intention toretire from her position late this summer. Mr. Sinnottis a graduate of St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA. Hehas worked in the cemetery and funeral industries fornearly 25 years, most recently as the Vice President ofthe historic Allegheny and Homewood Cemeteries in

Pittsburgh. Previously hehad been with MatthewsInternational holding vari-ous positions, includingDirector of BusinessDevelopment, NationalAccounts Manager andProduct Manager.

Mr. Sinnott lives with hiswife and daughter inAspinwall and is a lifelongmember of SaintScholastica Parish there.

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he Catholic Cemeteries Association recentlyannounced the expansion of the Veterans' Section atGood Shepherd Catholic Cemetery. This new sectionis named Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron Saintof Soldiers. Honorably discharged veterans will beentitled to a free space in this new section. Their spouseand other family members may be buried in this sec-tion as well.

The center piece of the section will be a black granitememorial spanning 10 feet in width by 10 feet high.The memorial will have etched scenes of various warsfought by our troops. On the top of the memorial willbe a two foot sculptured eagle with its wings foldedover our soldiers protecting them from harm.

The Memorial is the inspiration of Margaret (Peg)Cavanaugh who approached Good Shepherd counselor

Lisa Miller with the idea. Margaret is contacting localveterans and veteran organizations seeking taxdeductible donations to raise the funds to erect thememorial. Veterans who donate a minimum of $250will have their names inscribed in the Honor Roll onthe front of the memorial.

Veterans who are interested in making a donation tothe memorial fund or in the offer of a free space in theVeterans' Section may contact Good ShepherdCemetery at 412-824-0355.

Annabelle McGannon, Executive Director of TheCatholic Cemeteries Association stated: “We are proudto be part of this important project expanding ourVeterans' Section at Good Shepherd CatholicCemetery. This beautiful memorial will be a fittingtribute to all veterans who have served their countryduring times of peace and war.”

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Welcomes New DirectorTHE CATHOLIC CEMETERIES ASSOCIATION

New Veteran’s Memorial to be ErectedGOOD SHEPHERD CEMETERY IN MONROEVILLE

Michael Sinnott Assistant Executive Director

Holy Savior Catholic Cemetery4629 Bakerstown Road

Gibsonia, PA 15044-8993724-625-3822

Holy Souls Catholic Cemetery4772 Campbells Run Road

Robinson Township, PA 15108724-695-2999

Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery7601 Mount Carmel RoadVerona, PA 15147-1518

412-241-1260

Our Lady of Hope Catholic Cemetery

1898 Bakerstown RoadTarentum, PA 15084-3213

724-224-2785

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n unfortunate reality today is that as many of usare living longer and the odds that we will enter a nurs-ing home have increased dramatically. The cost ofskilled nursing home care today is over $8,000 permonth. Many families are forced to spend their entirelife savings, sell their homesteads and cash in their lifeinsurance to pay for their care before they can qualifyfor Medicaid or Veterans’ benefits. Many people arenot aware that Medicaid will only pay for an individ-ual’s nursing home care once someone has exhausted allother resources.

With proper planning you can put in place a plan toprotect and shelter some of your hard-earned assets. Acertified Elder Law attorney can assist families withthese issues and guide them through the process.

One of the planning techniques utilized by Elder Lawattorneys is to have families preplan for their burial andfuneral expenses using the Catholic Funeral PlanTM.The Plan allows families to make decisions about theirfuneral and burial arrangements, and set aside moneyfor these expenses without jeopardizing their eligibilityfor Medicaid. Not only will this shelter these fundsfrom being used for nursing home care, but it willassure that their funeral and burial arrangements willbe carried out according to their wishes, without creat-ing a financial or emotional burden on their survivingfamily.

A major benefit of the Plan is the flexibility that itaffords. Families enrolled are under no contractualobligation to use any particular funeral home, and they

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THE CATHOLIC FUNERAL PLANTM

The Best Long Term Nursing Care Resource

THE CATHOLIC CEMETERIES ASSOCIATION

All Saints Catholic Cemetery 1560 Brinton Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15221-4899412-271-5950

Calvary Catholic Cemetery718 Hazelwood Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15217-2807412-421-9959

Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery204 Cemetery Lane

Pittsburgh, PA 15237-2722412-931-2206

Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery733 Patton Street

Monroeville, PA 15146-4530412-824-0355

Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery

2900 Washington RoadMcMurray, PA 15317-3278

724-941-7601

Resurrection Catholic Cemetery100 Resurrection Road

Moon Township, PA 15108-7759724-695-2999

Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery97 Sacred Heart Road

Monongahela, PA 15063-9605724-258-2885

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery1443 Lincoln Road

North Versailles, PA 15137-2448412-823-9111

St. Mary Catholic CemeteryPenn Avenue & 45th Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15224412-421-9959

St. Stanislaus Catholic CemeterySt. Anthony Catholic Cemetery

700 Soose RoadPittsburgh, PA 15209-1544

412-821-4324

are free to change any of their funeral preferences,including the funeral home, without penalty. The Plancan be used at any funeral home in the United States.Another important benefit of the Catholic FuneralPlanTM is that the family maintains control of the dis-position of the funds at the time of death, not the funer-al home. A designated family member is selected to bein charge, and the funeral home is paid only when theservices are delivered as promised. All funds in excessof the funeral costs are returned to the family of thedeceased.

The Catholic Funeral PlanTM was instituted over 15years ago to provide Catholic families with a faith-based alternative for planning their funerals. It hasproven to be not only an effective way of avoiding theshort comings of a typical funeral arrangement process,but it is an effective planning tool for those entering anursing home, and eventually applying for Medicaidand Veterans’ benefits. For more information on The Catholic Funeral PlanTM,and a list of certified Elder Law attorneys call 1-877-866-7526 or complete the attached reply card.

YES! WE HAVE A DIOCESAN CEMETERY NEAR YOU!YES! WE HAVE A DIOCESAN CEMETERY NEAR YOU!

718 Hazelwood AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15217-2807

412-521-9133

2201 Babcock Boulevard, Suite 1Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Toll free 1-877-886-7526