Enjoy Our Sacred Grounds Open to All!

Our Sacred Grounds Newsletter

Issue #7 September 2025

God of all seasons, we thank you for Autumn.

We thank you, God, for the touch of coolness in the air that gives us a new burst of energy, for the coloring of the trees that shows the creativity of the Divine Artist, for the falling leaves that reveal the strength of the branches, for the hues of fields that bring peace to our souls, for the smiles on pumpkins that bring joy to children, for fall harvest which brings us gratitude for the bounty of our land, for this change of seasons that reveals the circle of life. God of all seasons, as you transform the earth, transform us by your Spirit. Amen

Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J.

ALBANY DIOCESAN CEMETERIES

WELCOMES A NEW

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It is with great enthusiasm we introduce Terry Wallace as the new leader of Albany Diocesan Cemeteries!

Terry brings over 20 years of leadership experience to the role of Executive Director. He has held various leadership roles which include Regional Vice President, Director of Operations and Executive Director roles primarily within the healthcare industry. Terry’s educational background includes 2 separate college degrees including an AAS in Physical Therapy from Maria college and a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with Social Services cognate from Liberty University.

On a personal note, Terry is a resident of Albany County and has been happily married for over 20 years with three children with the youngest currently attending SUNY-Cobleskill.

As the new Executive Director of ADC, Terry not only brings a unique leadership style but a true team approach to managing staff while supporting local communities.

To all our mausoleum crypt and niche owners and families, our fall flowers and bronze vases are ready to be installed. We understand that it is difficult for families to place flowers for their loved ones entombed in mausoleum crypts or inurned in niches. Let us do it for you. Our flower program was introduced this past spring and it includes the installation of a beautifully crafted bronze vase and a colorful arrangement of silk flowers that are changed with each season. Our fall arrangement is featured in the image above. Please contact Director of Sales, Nancy Bellard for details and pricing: Nancy@ADCemeteries.org (518-350-7676)

Help us Preserve Cemetery Records!

Volunteers for Scanning Burial Cards are needed at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands and Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna!

Through a New York State funded grant, we have state of the art scanning equipment on site at our two main offices. If you have time to give us, we will show you how you can be part of an important project to scan our burial records to make them available to genealogists for free. A few hours a week will help us meet our goal to digitize interment and lot cards in all 22 of our cemeteries. We have made good progress since mid-summer, but we could use more hands. Interested? Please contact program manager, Kelly Grimaldi for more information on how you can be part of preserving cemetery history. Call 518-350-7679 or email Kelly@ADCemeteries.org

A LOT OF GREAT WORK HAPPENED THIS SUMMER IN OUR CEMETERIES. HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THINGS ACCOMPLISHED DUE IN PART TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS!

Paving was completed in many areas of our cemeteries. The potholes have to go! We still have work to do, but we are off to a good start.

Historic monument restoration on dozens of 18th and early 19th century gravestones was completed and included new foundations. These old beauties will be stable for generations to come.

Please consider donating to the cemetery of your choice and help us maintain the beauty of sacred grounds. Click the QR code or send your check made payable to Albany Diocesan Cemeteries, 48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204

Butterfly Visit at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery - A Message from Heaven?

Our longtime employee, Jeff Touchette designs markers and monuments at the Catholic Monument Design Center located in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Colonie. He was designing a marker for a man who recently lost his wife. The gentleman mentioned that his wife loved butterflies. Shortly afterwards a monarch butterfly rested on the glass office door. Coincident or a message from his wife in heaven?

If you have been considering ordering a monument, now is the time to get on the schedule for the last foundation pour of 2025. Contact

our design staff: Jeff@ADCemeteries.org 518-312-1121

Michael@ADCemeteries.org 518-275-7334

Planning ahead is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your loved ones. Making your wishes known ensures your final resting place reflects your personal preferences while reducing stress for those you leave behind.

Albany Diocesan Cemeteries manages 23

Catholic Cemeteries in the New York Capital Region and Upper Hudson Valley

Serving Catholics in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Greene Counties.

Our Cemeteries:

Calvary*481 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077 Est. 1875

Holy Cross** 1456 Dunnsville Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 Est. 1930

Holy Sepulchre * Third Ave Ext., Rensselaer, NY 12144 Est. 1860

Immaculate Conception ** 29 Delatour Rd, Watervliet, NY 12189 Est. 1908

Most Holy Redeemer ** 2501 Troy Rd, Niskayuna, NY 12309 Est. 1924

Our Lady Help of Christians * 41 Jolley Rd, Glenmont, NY 12077 Est. 1874

Our Lady of Angels ** 1389 Central Ave, Colonie, NY 12205 Est. 1878

St. Agnes Cohoes ** 79 St. Agnes Hwy, Cohoes, NY 12047 Est. 1882

St. Agnes Menands* 48 Cemetery Ave, Albany, NY 12204 Est. 1867

St. Anthony's Glenville ** 27 Glenridge Rd, Glenville, NY 12302 Est. 1925

St. Francis De Sales * Clum Hill Rd, Elka Park, NY 12427 Est. 1881

St. Jean de Baptiste Troy * 968 Spring Ave Ext., Troy, NY 12180 Est. 1891

St. John the Baptist ** Brandywine Ave, Schenectady, NY 12307 Est. 1839

St. John's * 250 Cemetery Rd, Troy, NY 12180 Est. 1869 Est. 1869

St. Joseph's * 40 Middletown Rd, Waterford, NY 12188 Est. 1904

St. Mary's * Route 385, Coxsackie, NY 12051 Est. 1870

St. Mary's ** 738 McClellan St, Schenectady, NY 12304 Est. 1894

St. Mary's * 79 Brunswick Rd, Troy, NY 12180 Est. 1844

St. Patrick's * N Jefferson Ave, Catskill, NY 12414 Est. 1889

St. Patrick's * Blaisdell Ave, Coeymans, NY 12045 Est. 1855

St. Patrick's ** 150 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Watervliet, NY 12189 Est. 1874

Sts. Cyril & Method ** 611 Duanesburg Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 Est. 1917

*Office location: 48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands, NY 12204 Tel. 518-463-0134

**Office location: 2501 Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309 Tel. 518-374-5319