Heroes at home and abroad remembered
Hundreds attend Memorial Day Masses
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
Men and women of the military who sacrificed their lives for their country as well as loved ones who are missed were honored in Memorial Day Masses at the diocese’s two cemeteries.
About 300 people attended the Mass at Holy Cross Burial Park, East Brunswick. Msgr. John B. Szymanski, pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, was the principal celebrant. He was assisted by Deacon Russell B. Demkovitz of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset.
More than 150 people attended the Mass at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway, where Bishop Emeritus Edward T. Hughes was the principal celebrant. He was assisted by Deacon Patrick J. Cline of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.
Deep appreciation
Msgr. Szymanski said that Memorial Day is a “time to remember all those who gave their lives in America’s wars for us, but it also should be a time to remember all the men and women in our lives who sacrificed for our benefit, our parents, teachers, clergy and religious.”
It is also a time to remember “we have a claim in heaven because of the loss of our loved ones. They are already there, so a little bit of ourselves is already there and we put our faith in the hope that we will experience that eternal joy,” he said.
In his homily, Bishop Hughes said people should always take comfort in knowing that despite a loved one’s loss, Jesus is always present to help us through difficult times.
The time between Easter and Pentecost is important because it taught the disciples about hope, Bishop Hughes continued.
“They didn’t have Jesus physically with them and they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. But they had hope that what Jesus said would come to pass,” he said.
“When Jesus appeared [on the road to Emmaus, the disciples] didn’t know who he was at first. As the day grew towards its end and Jesus gave the impression he was going on further, they urged him, ‘Stay with us for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.’
“That passage is particularly pertinent for us. We had prayed that our loved ones would stay with us, but Jesus called them home. But he didn’t leave us.”
Fond memories
Sharon Boehmer, 66, of Branchburg, came to Mass to remember her husband, a Navy veteran who served in World War II and is buried in Resurrection Burial Park.
“I also wanted to remember all those friends and loved ones who died,” said Boehmer, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges.
Gabriel Nawojczyk, 77, and his wife, Irene, 78, have attended the Memorial Day Mass for more than 12 years. After the Mass, they visit their grandson, who is buried there, as well as former priests of their parish, St. Frances Cabrini, Piscataway.
“It’s very inspirational, emotional,” Irene said about the Mass. “It makes you feel good. It makes you feel close to your loved ones and you kind of reminisce.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law