JANUARY 25, 2022
ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic Cemetery, as designated by the Catholic Church, is a sacred place. The Catholic Cemetery stands as a visible reminder of, and witness to, the Christian understanding of life, death, and resurrection. On behalf of the parishioners of St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, in Caldwell, Texas, the cemetery will be designed and maintained to be aesthetically pleasing, and professionally administered, under the guidance of our parish Priest, and an established committee. This is in accordance with the policies and ordinances of the Diocese of Austin and the State of Texas.
The following are the rules and policies for the cemetery revised beginning January 1, 2022. Headstones and other monuments placed in the cemetery before this date are to be honored in their Catholic depiction. The cemetery and maintenance shall in no way be held liable for any injuries sustained by anyone while on the cemetery grounds.
Note: People are paying for the right to be buried in our Parish Cemetery. You are not buying the land within the cemetery. The Cemetery is owned by the Diocese of Austin. Any items placed in the cemetery belong to the Diocese of Austin.
SECTION I PURCHASE OF BURIAL SITESSECTION II HEADSTONES AND PLACEMENT
The area is marked where the headstones will be placed. The headstones placed on top of the beam are not exceeding 48 inches in height. The width and depth shall stay within the scored concrete beam and not overhang or encroach on other plots. They can be flat or upright. They may be granite, or granite with bronze overlay. A small cement or brass vase or flower saddle may be placed on the headstone, or beside it. Vases will need to have water drains. No containers should be at the gravesite that can hold water. Items that are not a part of the permanent monument are not allowed. No toys, candles, (fire hazard), decorations, mementos, flower stands, plant hangers, wire, mental, wind chimes, banners, balloons, pinwheels, bird houses, bird baths, fountains, bottles, glass, or other breakable containers. No Styrofoam, paper, ribbons, battery or solar operated lights, concrete statues, and tree decorations, nor can these items be part of the flower arrangement. Any loose items will be removed and discarded. In the old cemetery, all new graves will also follow the above regulations. The headstones will be placed on a concrete base. Any item in dispute will be taken up by the cemetery committee.
SECTION III PERPETUAL CARE
No Alcoholic beverages
No ball playing
No roller skating
No bicycling
No skateboarding
No minibikes
No go carts
No eating in cemetery or leaving food or beverages on graves
NOTE: Flowers are of course permitted all year round in the vases or monument saddles. This includes both real, and artificial flowers. As artificial flowers fade, or flowers die, they will be removed. There will be cleaning of the Cemetery quarterly. People wanting to save any decorations will please remove them. The Church bulletin will notify the parish when the cleanings take place. All are welcome to help.
SECTION IVCREMATIONS: The Catholic Church raises no doctrinal objections to cremation. Cremations of the deceased body does not affect his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in His omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life.
If any concerns or questions arise, it will be brought before the committee to discuss and make a final decision on how to proceed.
Rev. Melvin Dornak | |
Jim Burkhalter | |
Rita Burkalter | |
Sherri Chmelar | |
Andy Hovorak | |
Chris Jungman | |
Ernest Martinez | |
Patty Miller | |
Deborah Morgan | |
Frances Pullin | |
Martin Revilla | |
Doris Strauss | |
Margie Wiesnewski |