St. Andrew’s Staten Island to consecrate a cemetery for pets on 4/22/2005 (new date)
CORRECTION, posted 4/8/05:
Just to let you know that due to the Death and Funeral of Pope John Paul II, the Cemetery for All God’s Creatures schedule to officially open on April 8th was postponed to have its opening on April 22 in honor and celebration of Earth Day. The Celebration will begin at the Cemetery at 11:00 o’clock in the morning and will include prayers and readings from “We Thank you, God, for these” by The Rev. Rayner Hesse, Jr. and Anthony Chiffolo. A light luncheon will be served in the parish hall following the ceremony.
Church of Saint Andrew, Staten Island, NY
Original info from a Press Release:
St. Andrewís Staten Island
To Consecrate Cemetery for All Godís Creatures
March 2005 - Continuing in the Episcopal tradition of honoring all of Godís creatures the Church of St Andrew on Staten Island will consecrate a special cemetery for pets on Friday, April 8.
The Cemetery for All Godís Creatures will be consecrated at 11 am, followed by the interment of various pets.
The Cemetery is located on the grounds of the church, near the shrine of St. Francis. The Church of Saint Andrew is located in the Richmondtown section of Staten Island at 40 Old Mill Rd.
ìThe Cemetery for All Godís Creatures is an expression our commitment to live into our mission statement which reminds us that we have been called, ëto be stewards of all Godís creationí,î noted the Rev. Michael Delaney, rector of St. Andrewís. ìPets are an important part of our lives, and this cemetery is one way of honoring what they have meant to us and to our families.î
Joining Delaney during the service will be Bishop Suffragan Catherine Roskam and Bishop Vicar E. Don Taylor.
In addition to consecrating the Land, prayers will include those from We Thank You, God, for These, Blessings and Prayers for Family Pets by Episcopal Priest the Rev. Rayner W. Hesse, Jr, the Rector of St. Johnís Episcopal Church in New Rochelle. and Anthony F. Chiffolo
Among the pets to be interred during the service:
ï Gizmo, one of St. Andrew’s own church ìmouserî cats.
ï Fluffy, a cat owned by parishioner June Girard.
ï Truth, the dog owned by the late Bishop Walter Dennis of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
There are 850 plots in the cemetery; each plot can hold the cremains of four pets.
St. Andrewís has a long commitment to the community and to the people of Staten Island. For example, St. Andrewís is the host to a Bereavement group for the public coordinated by Staten Island University Medical Center Hospice.
[Contact info deleted, for the sake of "Internet issues".]