IMPORTANT UPDATE CONCERNING ST. MARY CEMETERY:

The official opening of the Catholic cemeteries and burial grounds in New Hampshire is Memorial Day weekend.  Continuing with the parish informational campaign concerning St. Mary Cemetery to re-educate us all on the importance and beauty of Christian burial in a Roman Catholic cemetery, we will continue to solely follow the Diocese of Manchester’s rules and regulations as we begin this new season.  This season NO NEW DECORATIVE ADDITIONS will be allowed in St. Mary Cemetery.  Please see Diocese of Manchester Cemetery Rules and Regulations, Article XIV Section G:  Ornaments and Flower Vases – Management reserves the right to regulate the method of decorations of lots so that uniform beauty is maintained. Use of statues, silk/fake flowers, boxes, shells, coins, gourds, toys, metal designs, ornaments, vases, votive candles, glass, plastic, concrete, vigil lights, Christmas decorations, crockery jars and containers, wood or metal cases, potted plants, balloons, pinwheels, lawn ornaments, bric-a-brac of any description, etc. will not be permitted on any lot and any such articles will be removed by management. In addition, should these ornaments be placed on the cemetery property in violation of these rules, the cemetery shall not be responsible for the damage or loss of any of these items at any time. Memorial Day floral arrangements and/or decorations must be placed on the base of the memorial (monument) or placed on an extension to that base. Memorial Day floral arrangements and/or decorations may be placed seven (7) days before the federal holiday and removed from the cemetery by June 10.  Also beginning this season, St. Mary Cemetery will implement a policy of "carry in, carry out" relating to water and trash.  Water for any existing plantings and bins for removal of trash/trimmings will no longer be provided by St. Mary Cemetery.  The goal of implementing these rules and regulations is to move towards a uniform, orderly, and beautiful cemetery to honor our beloved dead in keeping with the Catholic Faith.

March 25, 2025