Visitor Guide

Join us for one or more art classes that will expand your knowledge of painting techniques and improve your skills as an artist. Each class features a different subject and style with focus on specific techniques and is designed to be easy to follow, informative and a lot of fun. Our resident art instructor, Noreen Powell offers a peaceful and positive environment where beginner and intermediate painters can gather and learn painting techniques. Classes are designed to be easy to follow to encourage even the most beginner painters to join the fun! The Living Room Art Gallery, Located in Historic St. Agnes Cemetery’s Visitors Center: 48 Cemetery Ave., Menands, NY  Classes include paints (acrylic & oil), brushes, various sized canvas, refreshments, and wonderful positive energy. Classes are $35 unless noted otherwise and due the morning before the start of class. Cash and checks are preferred, we also accept Visa/MC/Discover/AMEX.   January 12 10AM – Noon: Shadows on the Snow January 19 10AM – Noon: Georgia O’Keeffe’s Calico Flower January 26 10AM – Noon: Abstract Vase of Flowers February 2 10AM- 1:00PM: Dune Bridge in Maine $55 February 9 10AM – Noon: Bee and Plums February 16 10AM – Noon: Mattisse’s Golfish (Watercolor) $30. March 1 10AM – Noon: Pryun House Garden March 15 10AM – Noon: Cezanne Style Still Life March 22 10AM – Noon: Dusty Road at Dusk April 5 10AM – Noon: 5 Linens in the Breeze April 12 10AM- 1:00PM: Wild Flowers $55 April 19 10AM- 1:00PM: The Gathering $55 May 3 10AM – Noon: Bird in Watercolor (Watercolor) $30. May 17 1 10AM – Noon: Stillness at Sunset May 24 10AM – Noon: Pissaro’s Hyde Park June 7 10AM – Noon: Derains’ Red Sail To register call Kelly Grimaldi at (518) 350-7679 or email [email protected] As with all our classes, no experience is necessary. Come, learn, paint, relax! Upcoming class schedules can also be found on our Blog (under the main menu tab of our website) where events are also posted.

Grief is a difficult emotion to cope with and can be very isolating. We recognize and experience the grief of loss with our visitors every day. So many visiting the cemetery feel an emptiness that can be overwhelming and difficult to share with others. Grief is not something that can be cured; however, you may find comfort and understanding in talking with other people that are experiencing grief and loss, similar to you. Our bereavement support group provides a safe and confidential place for those who are grieving to share their stories, experiences, show compassion to one another, and remember loved ones. Are you unsure if you’re ready or want to talk or share your experience?   We welcome those who may just want to try a bereavement support group and listen in a comforting, no pressure environment. Please note that this is not formal counseling. Our trained facilitators will help guide the conversation and ensure everyone is comfortable in a safe and confidential environment. Our bereavement support group is free of charge and open to anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one.   The 1st Wednesday of each month: 10:00 – 11:30 AM (no session January 3, 2024)   The Living Room Art Gallery at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery 48 Cemetery Ave. Menands, NY 12204   There is no fee to attend, but please pre-register with Kelly: (518) 350-7679 or [email protected]

Cemetery monuments are exposed to pollutants and often are breeding grounds for lichen, mold and moss. Black stains and biological growth on monuments obscure inscriptions and make an otherwise beautifully carved stone unsightly. Albany Diocesan Cemeteries offers free advice on how to safely remove stains and growths from all types of stone. We also offer an in-house cleaning service using only the finest cleaning agents and best techniques to restore your monument and greatly improve its appearance. For advice on how to clean your monument or to obtain a quote for a cleaning by our trained staff, please call historian Kelly Grimaldi at 518-350-7679 or email [email protected]

April 1 - Memorial Day: Spring cemetery visiting hours are 7:30am – 6pm. visiting hours are generally daylight hours, unless otherwise noted. Thank you for visiting us!

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 10:30-11:30am We approach death in different ways, shaped by history, culture, and human conditions that vary over time and across space. This lecture will take us on a walk-through time to learn how gravestone styles, iconography and epitaphs become indicators of shared attitudes towards death and mourning that changed to reflect the beliefs and values of the societies in which they are embedded. Memorials to the dead are learning tools and key components in the analysis of the past. What can gravestones tell us about the way people responded to death over the centuries in America? Course will be held at The Living Room Art Gallery, Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave, Menands. Kelly Grimaldi, Instructor Must pre-register through Hudson Valley Community College: https://www.hvcc.edu/programs/community-professional-workforce-development/schedules/creative-retirement.html#AttitudesTowardsDeathReflectedinGravestoneStyles

Do you like old cemeteries and find gravestones interesting? Have you ever wondered how to properly clean them and make simple repairs? Back by popular demand, this hands-on gravestone restoration workshop will teach you how to clean stones and use appropriate mortars and epoxy to make repairs. You will learn best practices that will do no harm to gravestones that are more than a century old. All cleaning and repair materials and tools will be provided. You will need to bring a rinse bucket or dishpan. Gloves and garden seat are optional. Refreshments and bottled water will be provided. Join us for a fun, informative and relaxing workshop! Workshop will be held at Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave, Menands. Kelly Grimaldi, Instructor Must pre-register through Hudson Valley Community College: https://www.hvcc.edu/programs/community-professional-workforce-development/schedules/creative-retirement.html#GravestoneRestorationWorkshop

Memorial Day - Labor Day: Summer cemetery visiting hours are 7:30am – 8pm. Gate hours are generally daylight hours, unless otherwise noted. Thank you for visiting us!

Albany Diocesan Cemetery business offices are closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will re-open for normal business hours the following day at 8:30am.

As the country celebrates Memorial Day, Our Lady of Angels Cemetery joins thousands of Catholic cemeteries across the United States in a national celebration, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes.” This national program, developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, honors men and women who died while serving in the armed forces, as well as recognizing both active duty military and veterans. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27 at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, 1389 Central Avenue in Colonie, outside, under a large tent, rain or shine (let’s all say a prayer for some sun!) Veterans are invited to serve as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, and participate in the presentation of gifts. Veterans attending the Mass are offered special lapel pins. For more information about our Memorial Day Mass including volunteer opportunities for the service, call (518) 374-5319. Note: When should small flags displayed on graves on Memorial Day be removed? Flags should be removed as soon as possible after Memorial Day as recommended by the American Legion.

Albany Diocesan Cemetery business offices are closed for Independence Day. We will re-open for normal business hours July 5th at 8:30am.

Labor Day - Columbus Day: Fall cemetery visiting hours are 7:30am – 6pm. Gate hours are generally daylight hours, unless otherwise noted. Thank you for visiting us!

Albany Diocesan Cemetery business offices are closed in observance of Labor Day. We will re-open for normal business hours the following day at 8:30am.

Albany Diocesan Cemetery offices will close at Noon for a staff training. We will re-open for normal business hours the following day at 8:30am.

The Fall cemetery and lot decoration cleanup will begin on November 1 at all Albany Diocesan Cemeteries. Lot owners are requested to remove any decorations they wish to save before November 1st. Fresh cut flowers in an approved vase are always permitted provided they are in good condition. Also any new seasonal decoration may be left providing the decoration is in accordance with the current Cemetery Rules and Regulations. All other decorations will be removed during the cleanup. The cleanup of all cemeteries takes some time, and depending on weather and the number of burials, may take a week to complete. During the cleanups, cemetery staff removes and discards all items from graves. Operations employees are instructed to leave any permitted seasonal decoration that appears to be newly placed. Of course, this is a judgment call for our staff, so it is better to wait until after the cleanup to place seasonal decorations. Items placed in violation of cemetery rules and regulations or in disrepair may be removed and discarded at any time. Annual clean-up dates generally start:  Feb.1 (new date), Apr. 1, Nov. 1 Thank you for helping to keep our cemeteries beautiful!

Albany Diocesan Cemetery business offices will close at Noon on Thanksgiving Eve. Blessings to all workers/chefs/drivers for our Thanksgiving Day preparations!

Albany Diocesan Cemetery business offices are closed Thanksgiving Day. We will re-open for normal business hours Friday at 8:30am.

Albany Diocesan Cemetery business offices will close at 12:00 pm to celebrate Christmas. While we usually gather to celebrate with a nice party, this year we will celebrate socially distant from the comfort of our homes. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, 8:30am - 4pm. Our ADC family wishes you and your family a healthy and blessed Christmas season!