Connie Durkin I am not writing concerning the parish itself, but I would like to comment on the cemetery. I do NOT live in Malone or NY state and have not been back home in several years. On a recent visit I went to the cemetery to visit the graves of my parents, sibling, grandparents, I was in absolute shock over the condition! The grass was about a foot high, weeds growing over the tombstones, moss all over them. It is disgusting and disrespectful! As a child I remember it was always so well taken care of and so pretty. Now it looks like an abandoned field with grave stones in it. Why is this happening and why is this acceptable? Why is there not a "caretaker" any longer? I recall the tags on grave stones "perpetual care" what exactly does that mean? Such a very sad, sad place! Whoever is the "in charge" person at Notre Dame should be very, very ashamed of the condition of the cemetery and the absolute disrespect for those former church members that are now laid to rest.
1 /5
KrazeeGpurple Father Mike was so welcoming, friendly & down to earth; he even joined us in our pre/post-wedding celebrations! The only thing I didnt get was that our "Unity Candle" ceremony was denied on the basis that, too many couples left their candles behind... which was ridiculous & very disheartening to us. Also, our kids were denied exchanging personal marital vows! For me, this wouldve been an instant deal breaker, & a MUCH lower rating here, but since our couple didnt mind much, themselves, Im not deducting my own personal feelings on this here, but rather, sharing this & letting yall decide its importance to you. The ceremony was extra long due to a longer than typical church homily, (I am a prior well experienced Catholic church mass goer, so I feel well qualified to judge this for you) which was very difficult (& frustrating on us all) on our attending parents & their young family members! I feel if this was intended, Father shouldve made it known early in mass that parents & children had some outlet for this, such as rocking chairs in the entrance area like my youth Priest did. It honestly doesnt welcome younger generations back into the fold when its so difficult to manage their children at church! (My opinion, obviously!)
4 /5
