All Souls Day Mass planned at renovated mausoluem |
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Written by BY PAT TODAK, Special to the Chronicle
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Friday, 03 October 2008 01:00 |
TOLEDO—It’s not quite the same as the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" that took place in Toledo last month, but if you’ve visited Calvary Cemetery in Toledo recently, you’ve probably noticed a flurry of activity near the Rotunda Mausoleum.
The mausoleum and nearby grounds have undergone an extensive refurbishing not only to freshen up the building, but also to make it more accessible.
Visitors have the opportunity to view the changes on Nov. 2, at an All Souls Day Mass to be held in the mausoleum at noon. Bishop Leonard P. Blair is presiding at the Mass. An open house follows.
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The Rotunda Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery in Toledo has undergone extensive refurbishing, and is the site of a Mass for All Souls Day Nov. 2. (Chronicle photo by Sara Strick) |
Around the mausoleum are new roads, sidewalks and walking paths as well as two prayer gardens, according to Deacon Ronald Henderson, leader of the Secretariat of Finance and Administration at the Diocese of Toledo.
Deacon Henderson notes the driveway that once circled the mausoleum is gone, replaced by new driveways in the front and back of the building. He says the old driveways, which were constructed in the early 1900s, weren’t made to accommodate today’s vehicles.
A significant change is one of the entrances of the mausoleum has been elevated so that the driveway is level with the building and can more easily accommodate those with handicaps.
The interior of the building has been repainted with some pews relocated to make it a better environment in which to hold a service. Deacon Henderson says it’s the cemetery’s intent to offer graveside services in the mausoleum during inclement weather "so people don’t have to deal with snow and ice and rain." He adds this hasn’t been done extensively in years.
Deacon Henderson encourages visitors to the mausoleum. He believes the mausoleum is "something people should be able to see and celebrate.
"The mosaic work is just incredible," he adds, and describes the altar in the mausoleum as one of the most beautiful he has ever seen.
David Czech, sexton of Catholic Cemeteries, says the changes to the mausoleum are "absolutely breathtaking."
He says family service advisors will be on hand at the open house to answer any questions visitors have about all three Catholic cemeteries including new projects and different options available for pre-planning.
Describing the spaces as "golden nuggets," Mr. Czech says both Mount Carmel and Calvary currently have spaces for future burials.
"We’ve found little pockets that were available and developed them," he says.
"There is much more space available at both sites than we thought," Deacon Henderson adds.
All three cemeteries are in excellent condition, says Deacon Henderson. The grounds are kept in good shape with diseased and dying trees removed as needed to keep the cemeteries a safer place for visitors, he adds.
For those who are not able to attend the mausoleum Mass on All Souls Day, the diocese is taping at the mausoleum a Mass celebrated by Father Michael Billian, episcopal vicar and moderator of the curia, that is to be aired Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. on WTOL and repeated on Buckeye Cable Channel 69 at 11:30 a.m.
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For information about Catholic Cemeteries call the Calvary Cemetery office at 419-536-3751 or the Resurrection office at 419-531-5747.
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 December 2008 11:12 |
