300 attend Memorial Mass at Calvary Cemetery

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 31, 2007

About 300 people gathered on the hilltop at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City for the traditional Memorial Day Mass.

The outdoor liturgy that was sponsored by the Garrigan Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus was celebrated by Msgr. Richard Zenk, director of the cemetery.

In his homily, he said, "We gather to pray together and ask our heavenly father to grant eternal peace and rest to all of the service men and women who have given their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy in this world in this country."

Msgr. Zenk said they gathered to pray for the spiritual welfare of the souls of persons who were buried in the cemetery.

"For all of the souls in purgatory, we also pray that our participation at this Mass through Christ, with Christ and in Christ they may soon be able to enjoy eternal vision of God forever," he said.

The priest offered prayers for all of the "living brothers and sisters" who have suffered the loss of a friend or family member in the last year. He asked that they put their trust and confidence in the goodness of God and his holy providence.

Msgr. Zenk said that as people prayed for the deceased, they also "raised their minds and hearts to heaven for eternal life with God. And for each of us, may we receive the grace of final perseverance, the grace of a happy death and with all of the angels and saints in heaven may we forever sing the praises and glories of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

In closing comments, the priest extended gratitude to the cemetery workers for the upkeep of the grounds.

The service closed with the Marian song, On This Day Oh Beautiful Mother.

Bill Sievers attended the service with his wife, Mary. They are parishioners at St. Boniface in Sioux City.

It has become a family tradition to attend the Mass as a way to honor family members who are buried at Calvary as well as people who serve the country in the military. Numerous relatives, including a great grandchild and Mary's first husband are buried in the cemetery.

"We try to come every year," said Bill. "This is such a beautiful setting. You almost wish you could come here every morning. It's peaceful - there is God's beauty all around."

For Jill Jaynes of St. Michael Church in Sioux City, it was her first time to attend the Mass. Her boyfriend and his family have been regulars at this service.

She said she loved the outdoor setting and was surprised to see how many people attend the Mass. While she is a first-timer at the liturgy, Jaynes noted that coming to the cemetery has been part of her Memorial Day for a long time.

"It's family tradition that I meet my mother at 10 a.m. here every year because of our families graves," noted Jaynes.

Peggy Delaney, a parishioner at St. Michael Church, pointed out that she has been coming to the liturgy for more than 50 years - since losing an infant child in 1955. Her parents, husband, two infant children and an infant grandchild are among the loved ones buried there.

"It's a good feeling," she said. "It's beautiful out here. If I didn't come, I would feel like I really missed something."

Her daughter Kerry Brown of Sioux City attended the Mass with her mother. It was her first time to attend the outdoor Mass.

"With the wind blowing, you can kind of feel your relatives saying hi," said Brown, a parishioner at St. Michael. "It's beautiful. When you look at this place you think it's more like a park than a cemetery."

She said she came for the same reason as others, to honor the loved ones who have passed. Brown mentioned that she also attended for her mother, noting that "Dad would have loved to have Mom have someone to go with to support her."

Msgr. Zenk said he was pleased with the crowd. He commended the Knights of Columbus for their part in the service.

Jerry Reinert, a member of the Knights of Columbus, mentioned that the Knights have sponsored this Mass for the last 10 to 12 years.

He said the Knights have a particular devotion for the military and the faithful departed, so sponsoring this Mass was a natural fit.

Several Memorial Day services were held in parish cemeteries in the diocese.