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November
6, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 19Oakland,
CA
A vineyard is
one of several additions
to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Hundreds of
small root vines of Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir grapes are taking
hold in the eastern slope of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward. Soon
the three acres will be a thriving vineyard which Catholic Cemeteries
hopes will yield enough fruit annually to produce 500 cases of sacramental
and high quality table wine.
The vineyard, along with a new mausoleum and the recently established
Holy Angels Funeral Home and Cremation Center, were blessed Oct. 28 by
Bishop Emeritus John
Cummins.
Robert Seelig, director of Catholic Cemeteries, said the cemetery vineyard
will be a strong symbol of Christian faith (“I am the vine, you
are the branches”) as well as a practical way to use the undeveloped
land at less cost than planting and maintaining turf. The grounds staff
will learn to tend the vines with help from professional vintners.
Selig said it will be about five years before a full crop of grapes will
be harvested. He is working with a small Catholic-owned winery in Mendocino
to develop the vineyards.
Plans include creating a private label for the wine. In addition to sacramental
wine for use at Mass and table wine for parish functions, there will be
a fine wine with the Bishop’s crest that can be used for diocesan
fundraising events, Selig said.
A small vineyard is also being planned for Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch.
“That region is know for producing some excellent grapes,”
he said, as is Hayward, which historically was a strong agricultural area
with orchards, vineyards and farms.
A statue of Our Lady of Lavang has a prominent place
in a new section of the cemetery.
The Communion of Saints Mausoleum, completed this
year, has a palm tree plaza with a chalice fountain in front of a statue
of St. Matthew.
This hand-carved granite statue of St. Anne is one
of five in the cemetery honoring the patron saints of local parishes.
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery has added a mortuary (formerly
Machado’s Hillside Chapel) and a cremation center to its funeral
services for Catholics in the Oakland Diocese.
Bishop Emeritus John Cummins blesses the new vineyard,
Oct. 28. He also blessed the new mortuary and cremation center, new mausoleum
and new burial areas of the cemetery.
“Jesus Blesses the Children” is a new
art glass piece in the Holy Spirit Mausoleum.
Oakland’s first bishop is buried at Holy Sepulchre
Cemetery in an area reserved for bishops.
During the Oct. 28 dedication, participants walk
through the new mausoleum which has 990 crypts and 400 niches.
R. EDGECOMB PHOTOS
