Memorial Day Mass remembers deceased men and women

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
May 29, 2008

Gathered on the hilltop at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City for the traditional Memorial Day Mass Rosie Verdoorn was among the hundreds offering thanks to God. She tries to attend every year.

"I love to come to the cemetery because we are honoring the dead, especially our military," said the Sacred Heart Sioux City parishioner. "I feel grace being here."

During the Mass, she said she remembered the servicemen along with family members who are buried in the cemetery. Before Mass, she did the Stations of the Cross "for the holy souls in purgatory."

"I love being here. The crowd was great this year," said Verdoorn. "It is in thanksgiving for all the soldiers who served our country - the wonderful men who go over there and keep us free. They touch my soul because they are so young. Being out here with nature and with the Lord is very special."

The outdoor liturgy celebrated by Msgr. Richard Zenk, director of the cemetery, was sponsored by the Garrigan Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, who have sponsored the event for more than 10 years.

In his homily, the priest 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. We pray for all of the deceased family members, relatives and friends who have gone before us."

Msgr. Zenk said the Catholic cemetery was established to provide a resting place for "our departed brothers and sisters. This is not only a final resting place for the dead, but also a sign of our faith in the resurrection of the body on the last day."

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."

The Knights for Columbus formed an honor guard for the processional and recessional. Two of the Knights also served as Eucharistic ministers.

June Cole and her husband, former residents of Sioux City, who now live in Huron, S.D., come back to Sioux City each year for the Mass. They have been attending for 35 years.

"We have one child and several relatives - my mother, his mother and father - who are buried here," she said. "It is important to pray for all of the dead and for all of the fallen soldiers who have gone before us who helped save this country for many years. I think our prayers are needed."

Barbara Reinert, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Sioux City, has attended the Memorial Day Mass for several years. Her husband, Jerry, was part of the honor guard for the Mass.

"It is great to have Mass out here at the cemetery to remember everyone who is buried here and our military who are serving and have served," she said.

She added that during the Mass she remembered family members who are buried elsewhere as well as friends who are buried in Calvary Cemetery.

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