Southern Nebraska Register
Staff at Calvary Cemetery in Lincoln are planning a project to repair and update “Priests’ Point,” the burial site of many diocesan priests.
Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum is named after the infamous “skull place” where Jesus was crucified, just outside the walls of Jerusalem. That place of tragedy became a place of victory upon Jesus’ resurrection. Located near the center of the cemetery is an altar, above which is the iconic symbol of the Calvary scene, a large marble crucifix and the statues of Our Lady and St. John at the foot of the cross.
At one time, the altar served as a mausoleum for the deceased bishops of Lincoln, who were later laid to rest in the Bishops’ Chapel in the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln. The area in Calvary Cemetery is now known as “Priests’ Point” because it is the section of the cemetery in which any priest of the diocese may choose to be buried, without cost for the space. Many of the priests who served the diocese faithfully have been laid to rest there.
Msgr. Timothy Thorburn, diocesan director of cemeteries and director of Calvary Cemetery, said the statues need to be cleaned, but are generally in good condition.
“However,” he said, “the altar and concrete platform have deteriorated over the years and, particularly because of the freeze/thaw cycle, are now breaking apart. We would like to restore this area that honors our deceased priests.”
The cost is estimated at $160,000, and Calvary has already received an anonymous gift of $50,000 toward the project. However, the project cannot get under way until the rest of the needed funds are raised.
“Calvary Cemetery and the priests of the Diocese of Lincoln would be grateful for donations needed to complete this project,” Msgr. Thorburn said, “particularly from anyone who wants to give in gratitude for the service of our priests or in memory of any particular priest, family member or friend who has passed away.”
Those interested in donating may contact Kathi Woody at Calvary for more information.
The first burial in the Catholic Cemetery, at 40th and “O” streets in Lincoln, was in December 1869. The cemetery was part of St. Teresa Parish. In 1930, it was deeded to the Calvary Cemetery Association, supported by Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Lincoln.
One of the local mortuaries administered the cemetery until, in 1941, Bishop Louis B. Kucera founded the Diocesan Department of Catholic Cemeteries, the first such department in the country. Since then until the present, an appointed priest has served as director of Calvary Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum, in cooperation with parishes and mortuaries in the city of Lincoln.The cemetery is open to visitors every day, including holidays, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by appointment on weekends.
Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12:15 p.m. inside the St. Charbel Mausoleum, for the repose of souls of all the faithful departed buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum.
An annual Memorial Day Mass is celebrated outdoors, and, to commemorate All Souls Day, Mass is celebrated outdoors on the first Saturday following Nov. 1.
