KINGSTON — On Sat., Oct. 3, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kingston, St. Mary-Sacred Heart parish, Kingston-Esopus revived its practice of an annual Mass on the grounds for all those buried or inurned at the cemetery. With permission of the owner of the historic McGill family chapel at the cemetery, the Mass was offered in that chapel for the first time in decades, instead of outdoors on the cemetery grounds.

“Prayerful thanks go to Frank Flynn and the McGill family for allowing our parish to clean and use their chapel for today’s Mass,” said Fr. Arthur Rojas, pastor of St. Mary-Sacred Heart parish.

About 20 Massgoers of different ages prayed at Mass for the souls of all buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery and its associated St. Peter Cemetery nearby.

“We are grateful also to Frank Naccarato, our cemetery manager, and Chester Van Wagenen, our sexton at St. Mary’s Church, for their efforts to clean and prepare the McGill chapel for sacred Catholic rites,” added Fr. Rojas.

The parish plans to have the annual Mass celebrated again on Memorial Day, 2027.

For more information about St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s cemeteries at Kingston, contact Frank Naccarato at 845-338-2360.