VISTA — The diocese’s second Catholic cemetery opened in September with the burial of the cremated remains of six individuals.
The new locale, Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery, answers a growing pastoral need as Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in San Diego nears capacity for ground burials, ensuring that the Church continues to accompany her sons and daughters from the moment of death until the day of the Lord’s return.
The cemetery is situated on 14.5 acres directly northeast of St. Thomas More Parish in Oceanside.
Bishop Michael Pham blessed the grounds on Aug. 22, on a hot, sunny afternoon before a small group of diocesan staff and crew.
“This is such a beautiful, wonderful day that we gather here to bless this piece of land for Catholic faithful and others,” Bishop Pham said in his opening remarks. “We want to prepare this land so people can rest here in peace while waiting to enter the kingdom of Heaven, both body and soul.”
He led a special prayer. Then, he walked the perimeter of the property, sprinkling holy water to consecrate and purify the site.
“After preparing this resting place for the dead, we shall raise our hearts from earth to Heaven and look to Christ, who suffered and rose again for our salvation,” Bishop Pham said. “He has commanded that we keep watch for his coming and has promised to meet us when we rise again.”
He was accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido, who assisted in the rite, and by Father Efraín Bautista, director of diocesan cemeteries; Robert Dorsey, executive director and manager of diocesan cemeteries; diocesan Chancellor Marioly Galván; Shirley Pajanor, diocesan director of finance; Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego; Father Derek Twilliger, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish; Ron Briseno, director of development and stewardship at St. Thomas More Parish; and diocesan and cemetery staff members.
On Sept. 2, Father Bautista presided over a graveside service for the first individuals to be interred at the new cemetery. Their earthly remains were brought to Good Shepherd to be buried. These individuals were Mary Quigley, Viola McPerson, Jennifer Ellen Prats, Mateo Pasqual, Philip Martin and Philip Beltron Aguilar.
“Families will bring their loved ones to this newly consecrated ground, confident that those who rest here do so in the hope of rising with Christ,” said Dorsey.
“Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery thus stands not merely as a place of burial, but as a quiet proclamation of the Gospel: that death does not have the final word and that every faithful soul, body and spirit, is destined for the fullness of life in the kingdom of Heaven.”
In other news, Father Bautista is going to bless a new columbarium at Holy Cross dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi to mark the 800th anniversary of his death. This blessing will be on Friday, Oct. 2, after the 11 a.m. Mass.
Information about the diocesan cemeteries is available at sdcatholiccemeteries.org.
