As the sun beamed through hundreds of American flags, casting the colors of red, white, and blue onto the graves of veterans on Memorial Day, the spouses, mothers and loved ones of those laid to rest arrived simultaneously at seven Catholic cemeteries across the Archdiocese of Newark.
They joined thousands of Catholic cemeteries nationwide in the annual Memorial Day Program, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes,” to honor veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice with a Mass.
In North Arlington, the celebrant was Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark.
“The same Jesus that suffered and rose walks with us, and He does not abandon us,” Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the Archbishop of Newark, said, as he comforted attendees during his homily at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. “Even when we question, even when we’re scattered, even when we encase ourselves in selfishness or despair. And true peace does not spring from not having difficulties but from being united with the Lord.”
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.