On Wednesday, August 26, the columbarium was installed in the St. James Cemetery, and today at 1:30 p.m. Father Murray Still consecrated it, with

Margaret Steele, Hazel Birt, and Elizabeth Bonnett as parish participants. The ritual that Father Murray performed was adapted from one used to consecrate burial ground in the diocese of  Peterborough, Church of England. It follows here:

Presider: The Lord be with you.
    People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.

“Most merciful God, we pray for all those whom we love, but see no longer. Grant them peace; let light perpetual shine upon them, and in your loving wisdom and almighty power receive them to yourself, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    All: Amen.

Father Murray then processed to each corner of the columbarium where he made the sign of the cross upon the monument.  Prior to making the sign of the cross each time, he said:       

“The blessing of the Eternal God be upon this place to sanctify it and keep it holy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    All: Amen.

When Father Murray returned to the place where he began the procession he said:

“In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
this memorial is now consecrated
to be a living sign of our mortality
and our sure and certain hope of resurrection
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I heard a voice from heaven saying to me:
Write this: from now one, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
They have rest from their labors.”

    People: Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Presider: Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

    People: Thanks be to God!