December 2024 E-Newsletter

Message from the Director:

Amazing


Websters defines amazing as “causing astonishment, great wonder, or surprise,” but when uttered, it can describe so many incredible things. When describing someone as amazing, the definition does not cover the meaning one has in their mind. An amazing person embodies all the best qualities of us, a goodness that we should all strive to achieve, and someone who can with just a glance, or a smile make your day brighter. 


I know that we all have such people in our lives, and some have more than a few. We need to embrace them and let them know how wonderful they are. How fortunate we are if these amazing people are an intricate part of our lives, a spouse, our children, family, and friends, and just maybe someone who we work with. I consider myself extremely fortunate as I have amazing people that fit in each category.

 

God blesses us with the ability to build these incredible relationships, and it is up to us to appreciate them knowing that one day we will have to face their earthly end. One of those relationships ended for me on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, and it is hard. Someone I worked with for 27 years, was called home on that day after several months of fighting a tough cancer diagnosis. She was without question, at only fifty-four, one of those amazing people. I am certain that anyone you ask who knew her would agree. Now come the questions, why does God take amazing people away? How could God have allowed this to happen? These questions are natural and befitting of this amazing person.


The merciful God that I know, did not take this amazing person from us, but He did save her from the pain and suffering of a terrible disease. God does not give us terrible things, and death is simply God bringing you home away from the pain. Death is merely a transformation from this journey to the next. While it does not make sense that an amazing person would be taken so young, but each of us will face our final day and our life here ends. It is through faith in Jesus that our path home is established. 


When we last spoke, she told me she was not afraid to die, and her only concern was for her family. She knew the heartache her death would cause, and she did not want to cause them pain. I pray that the knowledge that this amazing woman, who loved them so completely and who faced her diagnosis with such grace, is free of her earthly pain will bring comfort to all of us who love her. 


I knew her earthly heart and I know with absolute certainty that she is now in paradise. I know she believed in a place beyond this life because we talked about it often over the last 27 years and I know this amazing person is simply waiting for us to come home too.

As we celebrate Christmas, remember that God sent His only Son to open the door to paradise.


God Bless 


Andrej N. Lah

Director of Cemeteries

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Featured Blog:

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As the holiday season approaches, it brings with it a mix of joy and sadness, especially for those of us who have experienced loss. The absence of loved ones during this time can deeply impact our celebrations, turning what should be a season of joy into a time of reflection and sorrow.


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Written by Paige Muttillo

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Featured Episode

New Year's Resolutions for Grievers


In this episode, Paige Muttillo and Joel Hansel share their New Year's Resolutions and talk about a few attainable resolutions for those who are grieving.

Click here to listen!

Additional Episodes

Messages from Heaven-

Hope for the Holidays

Click here to listen!

Handling the Holidays

While Grieving

Click here to listen!

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Upcoming Events:

Pre-Planning Seminars

Click here to view the 2025 Pre-Planning Seminar Dates!

If you would like information on pre-planning, please contact the office

 at 216-641-7575 for a private consultation, or click here!

Monthly Grief Support Groups
In-Person and Virtual

The Catholic Cemeteries Association will be hosting our next in-person and virtual grief support groups on Sunday, December 15th. In-person groups will meet at 3pm, and the virtual group will meet at 5pm via Zoom.

We offer a comfortable, private, and encouraging environment where you are free to explore your grief and all that you are feeling.


Grief support groups meet in the main offices:

  • All Saints Cemetery, Northfield
  • All Souls Cemetery, Chardon
  • Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland
  • Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron
  • Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park
  • St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon

For those not able to attend our in-office grief support groups, we welcome you to join our monthly VIRTUAL grief support group. In a comfortable and supportive environment, you'll find a warm fellowship of people with similar grief experiences. You can join by computer or by phone.


Come.


Listen.



Be in the presence of those who understand.

Meetings are free of charge and are open discussion format, surrounding a monthly topic or whatever is on your heart. The upcoming December 15th meeting topic is:


"The Gift of God's Presence: You Never Walk Alone"



Our support groups are open to anyone seeking bereavement support.

Your RSVP is greatly appreciated but not required.


Register for our Virtual Sunday Grief Support here.


Learn more about our in-person Sunday Grief Support groups and other resources here.

Please contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866 or rabrams@clecem.org with questions.

Winter Decorations

You may place winter wreaths and other artificial decorations

from November 1, 2024 to March 15, 2025.

Decoration Guidelines


  • All decorations including wooden crosses should not exceed 36" in height.
  • Decorations with spikes or stakes are prohibited and will be removed immediately.
  • During the winter months, live or artificial wreaths may be ordered through the cemeteries.
  • We cannot be responsible for damage caused to bouquet holders due to use during the cold winter months.

Find Your Loved Ones Using the CCA App!

The CCA app is available for both iOS and Android devices. You can use the app to...


  • Purchase grave decorations
  • Navigate to graves via GPS
  • Find and save lists of loved ones
Catholic Cemeteries Association 
10000 Miles Avenue
PO Box 605310
Cleveland, Ohio 44105
P: (216) 641-7575
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