Hundreds honor veterans at Catholic cemeteries as cardinal blesses newly opened chapel
As family and friends arrived at Gate of Heaven Cemetery’s new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection on Memorial Day, they were met by fields covered with American flags, a red, white, and blue floral wreath, and a life-size statue of Saint Padre Pio.
Inside, they were amazed by the tall marble columns, the life-like Stations of the Cross statues, and the magnificent two-story mosaic of the resurrected Christ. Many were wives, husbands, or adult children of those who had served in one of the branches of the United States military, and others were veterans who had served and came to honor and remember their fallen brethren during the national Mass celebration, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes.”
Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D., Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, the main celebrant, made the occasion all the more extraordinary by blessing the new Chapel Mausoleum, including all the interred and all in attendance.
“We bless this place of worship – this house of prayer. It will have special meaning because it will welcome – yes, daughters and sons of God, but many who are grieving,” explained Cardinal Tobin during his homily. “Now, the word of God does not say that we do not grieve. Of course, we do. But [St.] Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, says, ‘Don’t grieve like people who have no hope.’ We have hope because of those final words of Jesus, ‘It’s done.’ It’s completed. The new race is born.”
As the remarkable turnout of men, women, and children, over 300 in attendance, listened intently, Cardinal Tobin drew parallels between the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, soldiers on the battlefields, and mothers who risked their own lives to save others.
“And [Blessed Virgin] Mary is part of that sacrifice. And mothers know particularly the importance of remembering so there will be no more,” Tobin added.
In addition to the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, six other Memorial Masses were celebrated simultaneously across the archdiocese in Bergen County at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ, by Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz, D.D., Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ, by Most Reverend Michael A. Saporito, D.D., and Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes by Very Reverend John J. Chadwick, S.T.D.
In Middlesex County, a Memorial Day Mass was celebrated at Saint Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia by the Most Reverend Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., D.D., in Hudson County at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, by Most Reverend Gregory J. Studerus, D.D., and in Essex County at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange, by Rev. Philip J. Waters, O.S.B.
A bittersweet moment was felt inside the new chapel mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery as Andrew P. Schafer, Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, announced his retirement after 20 years at the helm, overseeing the development, construction, and dedication of several magnificent and sacred mausoleums and grounds, and a total of 30 years serving the cemetery ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey. It’s been an honor,” said Schafer as he looked back and thanked Cardinal Tobin while attempting to control the emotions in his words. “My faith in God has grown as a result of this experience.”
Schafer also expressed gratitude to the clergy, and the religious, including Sister Donna L. Ciangio, O.P., Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark, Sister Patricia M. Wormann, O.P., Delegate for Religious of the Archdiocese, deacons, music ministry, law enforcement families and officers, several of which were also veterans. He also thanked the Knights of Columbus and the Borough of East Hanover.
He was incredibly grateful for the dedication of his cemetery staff spread across ten cemeteries, including the three chaplains, Reverend Paul Houlis from Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Reverend Michael Barone of Holy Cross Cemetery, and Reverend Dave Sison of Saint Gertrude Cemetery.
He also thanked his superintendents, office staff, sales, foremen, Local Union 74 members, and cemetery director staff, whom he credited for playing significant roles in the completion of new structures including the Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection in Saint Gertrude Cemetery, which opened two years ago despite the global challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I stand on their shoulders through their hard work and dedication all these years,” Schafer added.
Schafer also credited the construction companies responsible for completing the new chapel mausoleum at Gate of Heaven including Carrier Mausoleum Construction, Hutton Construction, Clagnan Stained Glass Studio, and Ray & Dolores Clagnan. He thanked Mellini Art Glass & Mosaics, Massimo Mellini, and Francesca Lofaro for the magnificent artwork. He also expressed his gratitude to Rose Valley Nursery, Carmine Coviello, and the East Hanover Township Planning Board and Municipal Authorities.
Having collaborated with law enforcement and clergy through thousands of funerals over the course of three decades, Schafer, the son of a veteran who became a police officer, encountered many veterans who returned from military service and continue to serve a higher purpose.
“Some are priests or deacons. Many choose a career in law enforcement, and many of them have made the ultimate sacrifice for our peace and safety,” Schafer explained. “We will never forget and remember them today as well.”
As he looked out across the chapel and the cemetery one last time during his final Memorial Day Mass, he could not help but admire each name engraved within the walls and sacred grounds. Schafer knows each one represents a hero who served the nation with honor, a loving family member that supported them, and a story of courage that inspires all.
“We are humbled to celebrate and always remember their legacies, forever cherishing the sacrifices they made for our freedom. As a nation, we must never succumb to complacency and entitlement.”
To view photos and videos from the seven cemetery locations during “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,” please visit www.rcancem.org/memorial-day-mass.
Featured image: Cardinal Tobin celebrating Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery’s new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection on Memorial Day. Left, Andrew P. Schafer, Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, announced his retirement after 20 years at the helm. (Photos/ Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark.
