P.O. Box 10
604 Beekman Road Hopewell Jct., N.Y. 12533
845-226-6818  ·   845-226-7314 (Fax)
Office Hours:9am-2pm  Monday through Friday
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Dear Brother/Sister in Christ,

In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by His death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christ achieved His task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of His blessed passion, resurrection from the dead and glorious ascension. At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist. In the committal of your beloved one, we at St. Denis Church pray that you will experience the comforting presence of the risen Christ. We believe that in keeping the place of burial neat, clean, and dignified, we are giving witness to the dignity of the human person in this life and the hope of resurrection that is promised to all who believe in Christ. May light eternal shine on you and your departed loved ones.

Sincerely,
Rev. William Cosgrove
Pastor

Why a Catholic Cemetery?

Because of our belief in the resurrection of the body, in some shape or form, at the end of time. The Catholic Cemetery is a sacred place - consecrated ground. It holds the physical body -- once the temple of the Holy Spirit -- until the Lord comes again in glory. Just as the human body deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in life, so should it be treated in death. The Catholic Cemetery offers burial in a place where dignity and respect and the sacredness of life are witnessed to. It is a place where the faithful continue their witness to the entire world of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope we share in resurrection. The Catholic Cemetery offers a place for ritual prayer, such as the Rite of Committal for the dead and the celebration of the Eucharist. It is also a place for private prayer and reflection. A Catholic Cemetery is a sacred and holy place. Only a Catholic Cemetery has consecrated ground. Burial within its boundaries is an act of reverence and respect for the body, which has housed our soul during our life in the brotherhood of Christ. The Catholic cemetery is also a visible sign of our belief in the resurrection which demonstrates the unity of the living and the dead. Within this sacred environment, the love of Christ is manifested for all to see.

"How are the dead raised?
The body that is sown is perishable,
it is raised imperishable;
it is sown in dishonor,
it is raised in glory;
it is sown in weakness,
it is raised in power;
it is sown a natural body,
it is raised a spiritual body."
1. Cor. 15:35,42-44

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