East Winsor Cemetery Creates Serene Space for Our Lady

“It is very conducive to prayer,” he says of his cemetery walks. “I pray the breviary and the rosary. I pray for everyone here.” Father Zepecki serves as pastor of St. Marianne Cope Parish which is made up of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Broad Brook and St. Philip the Apostle Church in East Windsor.

With its recent improvements, the cemetery offers a peaceful, parklike setting that provides a solemn resting place for loved ones. The cemetery is located at 30-76 Rye St.

“It’s a picturesque cemetery,” says Barbara Sherman, chairwoman of the St. Catherine Cemetery Association, a small group which oversees the five-acre cemetery upkeep with Father Zepecki. “People comment that it looks like a park.”

In early August, a new paver walkway was installed and leads to a statue of the Blessed Mother. The sacred space, adorned with granite benches purchased last year, invites everyone to sit, reflect and pray. For many years, the Blessed Mother statue stood prominently outside of St. Catherine of Siena Church.

“Many people are stopping to see the statue of Mary,” Sherman says. Next year, she notes, this statue is expected to be repainted.

Future enhancements to the Mary grotto are planned. They include landscaping the area and installing a new bronze plaque with the words “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy” to be placed alongside the statue.

“We tried to make the cemetery more presentable in this grotto area,” Sherman says.

Next year, from May through October, the pastor plans on leading the rosary on the 13th day of each month, inviting parishioners and guests to gather at the cemetery to pray.

Catholics often pray the rosary to honor Our Lady of Fatima. She appeared to the three shepherd children in Portugal on the 13th of each month from May 13 through Oct. 13, 1917.

Over the years, members of the cemetery association have dedicated countless hours to enhancing the grounds. Visitors will notice recent updates to the cemetery entrance, including the sandblasting and the restoration of the marble statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and a new sign.

Also in the cemetery, the historic altar dating back to the 1950s has been preserved and is used during Masses. New Montgomery spruce shrubbery has been added around the grounds.

The cemetery gives family and friends a place to visit and grieve, Father Zepecki says, noting that it reflects the Catholic faith and traditions of the area’s residents.

“People who have loved ones buried here feel good about it,” the priest adds.