Diocese hosts Memorial Mass at Calvary Cemetery on May 31

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
June 3, 2004

More than 300 people were on hand for the Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City.

The outdoor liturgy was celebrated by Msgr. Richard Zenk, director of the cemetery. A tent was set up for the celebration near the graves of the deceased bishops of the Diocese of Sioux City.

He pointed out that this was one of the largest crowds for the Mass in recent years.

"We gather here this morning to remember and to pray for all those who have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy in this country and also to remember and to pray for all of our deceased family members, relatives and friends who have gone before us," he said in his homily. "This is surely to be a special place for prayer, for remembrance and for peaceful reflection on the purpose of our lives on earth."

Msgr. Zenk informed those gathered about the value of Catholic cemeteries, stating that Calvary Cemetery was established to provide a fitting resting place for departed brothers and sisters and to provide "blessed space" for prayer and peace where those who mourn can find comfort.

He told them that through the Catechism of the Catholic Church they are taught that those who perfectly purified and die in God's grace and friendship enter heaven immediately.

"We are also taught in the same Catechism that those who die in God's grace and friendship - but are not perfectly purified from all satin of sin and its effects - stand in need of purification before they can enter the joys of heaven. This period of purification is called purgatory," explained Msgr. Zenk. "We believe as Catholics that we can assist these departed brothers and sisters in purgatory by our prayers, sacrifices and Masses for their intentions. And this we do this morning - at this Mass - for the souls in purgatory."

Kelly Blessing of Wakefield, Neb. went to the Mass with her two sons and parents. She pointed out that attending the Memorial Mass has been a family tradition since she was a child.

"We have relatives here and it is a nice time to come and have Mass outside," she said.

Lorraine Beacom, a parishioner at St. Michael Church in Sioux City, has also been attending the Mass for many years.

"It's our way of thanking the Lord that the servicemen brought freedom to us," she said. "I have many, many relatives out there and many of those were servicemen. My husband served in WWII and I am grateful that he was able to come back home."

In the 30 years that Dan and Mary Huwaldt of Tekamah, Neb., have been married, they have only missed this Mass at Calvary Cemetery a couple of times. She had been a Kennedy and was a native of Sioux City. They have a son buried at Calvary, and her parents and grandparents are buried there.

"We try to make this every year because we just love it," said Mary.

Her husband described it as a pilgrimage of sorts and said it was "a must do."