SPECIAL CEREMONY AT THE 2021 STATE CONVENTION

Unclaimed Cremains Laid to Rest at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery

The Knights of Columbus Oregon Council gathered in Klamath Falls from April 30^th to May 2^nd for their annual state convention. The 113^th Convention was hosted by Klamath Falls Knights of Columbus Mt. Mclaughlin Council 2255 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In addition to hosting the convention, Council 2255 celebrated their 100-year anniversary on April 24, 2021.

The theme for this year’s convention was ‘Mercy in Motion’. The theme was selected because Knights of Columbus are continuously performing Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy that extends God’s compassion and mercy to those in need. At every state convention, a community service project is undertaken.

This year the Corporal Work of Mercy to Bury the Dead was selected. On Sunday May 2^nd The Knights of Columbus assisted with the interment of 143 sets of cremains which have been abandoned or unclaimed. The interment took place in the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery Potter’s Field and was witnessed by approximately 100 people. The cremains came from Klamath, Lake, Jackson, and Harney Counties as well as one from Riverside CA. Dedicated in 2017, the Potter’s Field provides a final resting place for brothers and sisters whose cremains have been abandoned or unclaimed. The May 2^nd interment brings the total of 291 cremains that have been laid to rest in the Potter’s Field. We’re pleased to report that after the 2017 interment, 14 sets of cremains were subsequently claimed by family members.

The May 2^nd interment was presided over by the Most Reverend Liam Cary, Bishop of the Dioceses of Baker. His words were very solemn as well as uplifting. Uplifting in that the cremains were finally given a dignified burial. One set of cremains have been unclaimed for over 57 years.  Since 7 of the cremains were United States Military Veterans, Military Honors was provided by a Joint Honor Guard consisting of members from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Pelican Post 1383, and Marine Corps. League Crater Lake Detachment 373.  Also present were local government officials including Mayor Carol Westfall and Capt. Ryan Brosterhous, Klamath Falls Police Department.  They assisted the Knights in placing the cremains into their final resting place.

In his closing remarks, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery President Benjamin Quen encouraged Knights throughout Oregon to work with their local funeral homes and cemeteries, to establish a Potters Field within their communities. “We’re certain that there are countless numbers of abandoned and unclaimed cremains sitting on shelves throughout Oregon. They too deserve the respect to have a dignified burial.”

Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery is located at Highway 140 East and Pine Grove Rd. and has been there since 1932. The Potter’s Field is located behind the Mt. Calvary Oratory building.

Watch the full ceremony on the Oregon KofC Youtube Channel!   CLICK HERE