Catholic Cemeteries to Commemorate Memorial Day
The Archdiocese of Newark Catholic Cemeteries, in collaboration with more than one thousand Catholic Cemeteries nationwide, will participate in the annual celebration, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes” on Monday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m., at its local cemeteries and parishes. The memorial program, developed by the national Catholic Cemetery Conference, honors men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces, and recognizes both active military and military veterans who have served our country.
“We give thanks to God for these heroes and for the freedom we enjoy, not only on Memorial Day weekend, but every day,” said Andrew P. Schafer, Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Newark, and President of the Catholic Cemetery Conference. “Our hope is that more people will join us, especially in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, to celebrate Memorial Day Mass to remember those who contributed to the preservation of the liberty and freedom we all enjoy and cherish today, and to pray for them and for all those in our Catholic cemeteries.”
“Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,” invites active military personnel and veterans to participate in Mass at Catholic Cemeteries to serve as flag or candle bearers during the opening and closing processions, as Lectors, as participants in the Presentation of Gifts, and to recite uniform intercessions followed by a moment of silence. This program also is an ideal time for Catholics throughout the country to unite, remember, and pray for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Memorial Day Mass will be celebrated at the following Catholic Cemeteries locations on Monday, May 30, at 11:00 a.m., with the following celebrants:
- Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington – Most Reverend John J. Myers; Reverend Joseph Ferraro, Homilist
- Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover – Reverend Monsignor Robert E. Emery
- Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah – Reverend Monsignor Thomas P. Nydegger
- Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia – Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz
- Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City – Reverend Monsignor Gregory J. Studerus
- Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes – Most Reverend John W. Flesey
- Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange – Reverend Philip J. Waters, OSB
Parish cemeteries where Memorial Day Mass will be celebrated:
- St. John Cemetery, St. John Parish, Orange, 8:00 a.m. – Reverend Peter J. West
- St. Peter Cemetery, St. Peter Parish, Belleville, 9:00 a.m. – Reverend Ivan Sciberras
- Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Saint Adalbert, Linden, 11:00 a.m. – Reverend Krzysztof Szczotka
- Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Bloomfield, 8:30 a.m. – Reverend Lukasz S. Rokita
- St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Short Hills, 9:00 a.m. – Reverend John D. Gabriel
- St. Luke Cemetery, Ho-Ho-Kus, 8:00 a.m. – Reverend James M. Manos
- Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Upper Montclair, 9:00 a.m. – Reverend Joseph A. Scarangella
The office of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark provides for the spiritual needs of families before, during, and after the loss of a loved one. As part of this commitment, Remembrance Masses are celebrated at Catholic Cemeteries each month and on special days throughout the year. For a complete schedule, visit www.CatholicJourney.org.