February Update There are several plans on the horizon for SJI & II. First and foremost is news of the creation of an association for both San Jose cemeteries. As mentioned in the last post, the association (made up of four decedents of ancestors buried at San Jose I and II), will advocate for and organize the maintenance of these two cemeteries, as well as serve as the community voice for the resting place of our ancestors. From now through spring, here is a developing list of goals: 1) Organize and prepare for the second clean-up of SJ II. This could also include the erection of a fence along the south-eastern side of the cemetery to stop persistent trespassing. 2) Hold the first JSMCA board meeting and establish by-laws 3) Complete phase one of the documentation of funeral home records for both cemeteries 4) Complete the collection of known SJ I and II death certificates 5) Attempt to contact as many family members as possible who have ancestral ties to both cemeteries...
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The San Jose Montopolis Cemetery Association is now official! A Certificate of Formation for a non-profit corporation has been issued by the Texas Secretary of State. This is significant news. This milestone is a major step in insuring that both San Jose Cemeterio I and the San Jose II Cemetery (formerly the Montopolis Cemetery) are now umbrellaed under the same organization and through it's efforts, can represent the best interests for both cemeteries. Many thanks goes out to the Montopolis CDC, the four-member board and the east Austin community who made this possible. The newly-formed board of directors (trustees) will soon draw up by-laws and establish short and long term goals and future plans for both San Jose cemeteries. For now, the main focus will be directed on the San Jose Cemetery II off of Hoeke Lane. Also look for an update regarding another in a series of clean-up soon to be announced.
In preparation for events at San Jose II Cemetery, we are in the home stretch - and your help is still needed. The decorations of the cemetery will begin to happen tomorrow morning. The biggest task is lining the path from the front entrance to the cemetery with luminaries and glass candles. If you are able to contribute non -labled plain white prayer candles from Fiesta ($1.17 each), we are in need of those. Also needed are 500 or more brown or white paper bags with a 3.5 x 6 in base. Tomorrow, they will need to be laid out. We will need volunteers to decorate each of the 30 graves with candles and whatever flowers we have available. We understand that Central Market are the only retail source for marigolds. ProyectoTEATRO are providing SJ II with flowers, but they too are experiencing a shortage as well. We need volunteers to canvas the adjacent neighborhood and hand out prepared fliers door-to-door today (Nov 1) and tomorrow morning. We have 200 printed. You can mail: atxhispan...
Hello once again and Happy Halloween. Yesterday a modest number of volunteers gathered at SJ II (2512 Hoeke Lane) and more headway was gained. In fact, all of the major cutting with a chain saw and clippers has pretty much been completed for now. The result is that grounds have opened up to sunlight and now made a Day of the Dead (November 2) event possible for the first time at SJ II. A pathway througout the south side of SJ II has been establised. However a bit more litter needs to be removed. All the individual graves are ready to be raked (there are about 30 total). Black mulch will then be laid out on each grave plot. Each grave will recieve one or two tea candles and at least two flowers. ProyectoTEATRO will provide some flowers, but it is unclear how many. It is expected that another type of mulch will be delivered on Monday, and will need to be spread out to make the path clear and easy to follow throughout the cemetery. If time permits, the folding of paper bags for luminare...
(photo credit to Nick Wagner/American Statesman) UPDATE Friday, Oct 9 Are you available for a couple of hours THIS Saturday (October 30) beginning around 10 AM? Limited work at SJ II will focus on the south section of the cemetery. The aim is to create an unobstructed mulched pathway throughout this section of the cemetery and insure each of the 24 graves are cleaned up. This will be extended for a few hours on Sunday if needed. Your help is needed either day. Why do this now? As you may be aware, Monday November 1, people of Mexican heritage will begin to celebrate Dia de los Muertos - which culminates at midnight on November 2. Although under a short time window, there will be a Dia de los Muertos SJ II cemetery event on November 2 . The gate will be open at 6:30 pm. Besides honoring those buried at SJ II on this most important of cultural holidays, this would also be a chance to do something for the somewhat isolated neighborhood that surrounds the cemetery, focusing on...
Outstanding in our field, the intial wave of early morning community volunteers appeared before 9 AM to start the day and begin with a prayer. Present were D2 Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes, members of the Montopolis CDC - including Noe Elias and Lisa Goddard (who took the photo), San Jose descendants, community members and advocates of the (re)Claiming Memories project. These before/after photos are a small sampling of the work that was performed and the difference everyone's efforts have made. For over five hours, more than 30 community members contributed labor, including two adjacent property owners. Lowe's Home Improvement donated a number of needed tools, Home Depot contributed the use of two chain saws and a string trimmer, Torchy's Tacos provided breakfast, Starbucks supplied coffee, Millie Muniz donated water as well as Frank Monreal who brought welcomed ice and juice. We anticipate organizing another clean up soon. Stay tuned.