Thousands of Catholic Cemeteries across the Country Unite for National Program
Catholic Cemeteries, NJ, May 27, 2013 – As the country prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark will join thousands of Catholic Cemeteries across the United States in a national celebration, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes.” This national program, developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, will honor those men and women who died while serving in the armed forces, as well as recognize both our active military and military veterans who have served our country.
“Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,†we invite our active military and veterans to participate in a Memorial Day Mass, and/or other cemetery-related activities throughout the weekend at Catholic Cemeteries. Veterans and active military are invited to serve as flag or candle bearers during the opening and closing processions at Mass, and will also be invited to serve as Lectors, participate in the Presentation of Gifts, and recite uniform intercessions followed by a moment of silence.
“Catholic cemeteries, both large and small, are invited to participate in the program, both to honor those members of the military who died in combat, and to recognize our veterans and current servicemen and women,†said Carol Giambalvo, President, and Catholic Cemetery Conference.
Many Catholic cemeteries are also planning additional activities, including Wreath Laying Ceremonies, Tribute Boards and Military Choirs, with military members invited to participate. The Catholic War Veterans of America and the Knights of Columbus are also expected to participate in the national celebration.
“We are excited to be participating in this heartfelt program and are glad to have the opportunity to give thanks to the military members and veterans within our community for their commitment and service,†said Most Reverend John J. Myers, the Archbishop of Newark, “We are inspired by these individuals and hope our participation in the ‘Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes’ program can be just one way to say thanks for all they have done for usâ€.
The Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, JCD, Archbishop for the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, will serve as National Spokesperson for the “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,†program and will celebrate a Memorial Day Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. on May 19th, 2013.
“Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,†encourages community involvement and participation and it is the hope of the program that this initiative will band together thousands of Catholic Cemeteries throughout the nation with past and current military members in this special celebration of remembrance.
For more information on the “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes†program, or to learn more about the participating Catholic cemeteries, please visit “Serving God and Country: A Memorial day Salute to Our Heroes”.
Archdiocesan Cemeteries
LOCATIONS AND CELEBRANTS
HOLY CROSS CEMETERY – NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ |
Celebrant – Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark |
Homilist – Reverend Carmine Rizzi |
GATE OF HEAVEN – EAST HANOVER, NJ |
Celebrant – Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha |
ST. GERTRUDE- COLONIA, NJ |
Celebrant – Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz |
HOLY NAME CEMETERY-JERSEY CITY, NJ |
Celebrant – Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato |
MARYREST CEMETERY-MAHWAH, NJ |
Celebrant – Most Reverend Charles J. McDonnell |
CHRIST THE KING CEMETERY-FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ |
Celebrant – Most Reverend John W. Flesey |
HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY-EAST ORANGE, NJ |
Celebrant – Reverend Philip J. Waters |
Parish Cemeteries
SAINT JOHN CEMETERY, Orange – 8:00 AM Celebrant – Reverend George Faour |
SAINT PETER CEMETERY, Belleville – 9:00 AM Celebrant – Reverend Ivan Sciberras |
MOUNT CALVARY CEMETERY, Linden – 11:00 AM Celebrant – Reverend Krzysztof Szczotka |
SAINT LUKE CEMETERY, Ho-Ho-Kus – 9:00 AM Celebrant – Reverend James J. Weiner |
MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY, Bloomfield – 8:30 AM Celebrant – Reverend James Brown |
SAINT ROSE OF LIMA CEMETERY, Short Hills – 9:00 AM Celebrant – Rev. Msgr. George R. Trabold |
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CEMETERY, Upper Montclair – 9:00 AM Celebrant – Reverend Joseph Scarangella |
The Son Rise Morning Show, a National radio program on the Global Catholic Radio Network, which provides information, prayer and current news items from a Catholic Perspective, featured an 8-minute interview with The Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, JCD, Archbishop for the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA on April 30th.
The interview provided detail about the Archdiocese of Military Services in addition to the ways in which Memorial Day is being celebrated around the country.