Two inmates carry a wheelbarrow filled with prunings for disposal.
A police officer and inmates collect prunings for disposal.
THE Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Safety, and inmates from the Department of Corrections conducted a cleanup activity at the Chalan Kanoa cemetery in preparation for All Souls’ Day.
Coordinating the activity was Dolores Reyes Sanchez of Mt. Carmel Cathedral.
“We have a committee [and] we sent out letters to the different departments to help us out. DPW, DPS, and Corrections responded to [our request],” Sanchez said.
She said they did not have a big dumpster for the trash and debris, so she asked Joeten for help. Saipan Shipping, a Joeten company, provided a dumpster, she added.
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang also provided a dumpster, Sanchez said.
“We then sent a letter to DPW, and they approved everything — they will dispose, for free, all the debris and trash collected.”
She said the Mt. Carmel Cathedral committee has been coordinating the cleanup for the past 10 years now.
“The Saipan mayor’s personnel also helped us pick up the trash. Last Saturday, the KHS Ayuyu, the MHS Dolphin and SSHS Manta Ray Battalions also held a cleanup. DPS and the inmates helped by brush-cutting, trimming overgrown trees, and collecting the debris,” Sanchez added.
“We will be holding a Mass here on All Souls’ Day, on Nov. 2, for our dearly departed. The Mass will start at 6 a.m., followed by a rosary at 12 noon, then a 3 p.m. rosary and another Mass at 4 p.m.”
Sanchez is asking community members who are cleaning the graveyards of their departed loved ones “to please dispose of their trash and debris properly at the dumpster and not just leave it anywhere.”
Dolores Reyes Sanchez of Mt. Carmel Cathedral coordinated the cemetery cleanup on Tuesday morning with DPW, DPS, and Corrections as part of the preparations for All Souls’ Day.
