Honor St. Agnes Cemetery Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3088 BY: Senator BRESLIN COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of St. Agnes Cemetery to be celebrated on September 17, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize events of significance which exemplify the history and development of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of St. Agnes Cemetery to be celebrated with a Cocktail Party on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at the Louis Menand House, Menands, New York; and WHEREAS, This momentous occasion will begin with a blessing by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger and will also serve as the premier and book signing of These Sacred Grounds: 150 Years of St. Agnes Cemetery; and WHEREAS, On May 19, 1867, Right Reverend Bishop Conroy of Albany pronounced the words which converted 50 acres of land into the consecrated ground of St. Agnes Cemetery; over the next 150 years thousands of families have buried their loved ones on its sacred grounds; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, St. Agnes Cemetery has expanded to nearly 115 acres of rolling hills and winding roads; and WHEREAS, Located in Menands, New York, St. Agnes Cemetery has served its community with compassion and love, following closely the doctrine of the Catholic faith and customs surrounding the death and burial of the faithful; and WHEREAS, St. Agnes Cemetery's funerary art and architecture reflects the changes in burial practices through the years; large ornate family grave lots with neo-classically designed mausoleums and memorials gives way to smaller lots with respectable monuments and bronze markers in shrine sections; and WHEREAS, In addition, two beautiful community mausoleums stand on the grounds with polished marble walls; and WHEREAS, Today, St. Agnes Cemetery continues its ministry to pray for the dead and provide comfort for mourners in service to hundreds of families each year; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize events which symbolize the historical, social, and cultural development of this great Empire State and embody the principles upon which this Nation was founded; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of St. Agnes Cemetery to be celebrated on September 17, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to St. Agnes Cemetery.