POTSDAM – A local woman here is organizing a candle and solar light vigil tonight, Sunday, May 28, starting at 8:30, at St. Mary's Catholic cemetery south of the village.

Priscella Stark said the vigil is being held to remember deceased loved ones, while at the same time adhering to new parish rules which disallow the lights being placed on graves full time.

“Many of us no longer feel welcome or comfortable even visiting our loved ones at a place we used to consider a second home. Now we go there, afraid to leave a little remembrance for fear of being reprimanded. The cemetery over the last year has become a cold, sad, and now without solar lights allowed, a dark place,” she said.

Attendees are asked to bring their own solar lights and candles to the cemetery this evening to hold a vigil for an hour in honor of departed loved ones.

“It’s kind of last minute,” Stark said during a phone call Sunday morning. She added, however, that many people are concerned about the new rules and hopes to have good attendance.

“We want to do it every year,” Stark said.

For more information, call Stark at 315-265-6560.