Historic Cemetery Update

Dear Sacred Heart Parish Family,

A little over two months ago we shared with you an update regarding our cemetery and the rediscovery of potentially hundreds of burials in the overgrown parts of our hill. When we shared that update we knew only a little, but we knew for sure that there was a lot of work ahead. Since then, we have held three clean up days of our hillside with the help of hundreds of volunteers from our parish family, from communities of descendants of those who were enslaved, and from the wider Bowie community. The result has been the uncovering of potentially hundreds more grave markers, with an estimate in the range of 300 to 500.

In the past two months we have also welcomed descendants of the enslaved, local and state lawmakers, news media, and many visitors to our beloved parish cemetery. Each time we get to bring people around the cemetery they are in awe of what is there and of the work our community has begun. As you know, Cardinal Gregory joined us on February 25^th to pray for all those buried here, you access a video of the prayer service and a video of his homily using the QR codes below. The Cardinal expresses his deep gratitude to all who have helped so far.

We are especially grateful to Rob Hayes, and many other volunteers, for helping us to chart a path forward, including the formation of a new Cemetery Committee consisting of members of the parish, Archdiocesan staff, professional consultants, and descendants of the enslaved. This committee has already met and formed several subcommittees which, in conjunction with the parish History Committee, are getting to work.

We are planning to hold information sessions for the parish in the coming weeks to let you know all that has happened and to share with you what is next; this includes:

Additional clean up days to assist the archaeologists in their search for burials.
Working with a team of engineers, arborists, landscapers, and archaeologists to preserve the hillside from erosion, protect burials, and maintain its natural beauty.
Dr. Laura Masur (CUA) and her team of archaeologists will be working in the coming weeks to properly flag, document, and map all probable burials and grave markers on the hillside. We are hoping Dr. Masur will be able to offer a presentation for the parish in early June.
Another round of ground penetrating radar will confirm the location of burials and help identify unmarked ones.
Historical research is underway to develop as complete a list as possible of who should be buried on our parish grounds.
Working with the Archdiocese to apply for grants and outside funding to help cover the costs of this important project. The Archdiocese’ staff will be assisting us to ensure any grants we receive pose no threat to our Catholic identity and the functioning of the parish.
Working with lawmakers, the National Park Service, the Maryland Historical Trust, and the Archdiocese to find an appropriate path to being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dialogue with the Society of Jesus and Georgetown University about how we can work together as this project proceeds.
We will develop a regular pattern and method for offering updates and news.

As we said to you back in January this is an important act of justice and work of mercy, to care for each of our brothers and sisters buried on our parish grounds, especially those who were not treated with respect and dignity during their earthly life. The outpouring of support and interest from our parish family has confirmed the essential nature of this work. It is clear that this project will not be done in a few months, but rather over the course of the next few years. Your assistance, especially your prayers, will be a necessary component of this effort. Stay tuned for more information and opportunities for you to engage in the coming weeks.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Potts and Fr. Russo

The Cardinal's homily
The Prayer Service