Catholic Cemeteries Host Outdoor Services For Those Lost in 2021

CHICAGO — Seventeen Catholic cemeteries will hold outdoor rosary and prayer services at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 in observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

“Cemetery Sunday is a wonderful opportunity for us to tell the stories of our loved ones,” said Rev. Larry Sullivan, priest director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. “We regularly remember our deceased family and friends in our prayers, but it is also important for us to share the stories of their life and love.”

Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs as seating will not be provided for the 30-minute services. Upon arrival, visitors will follow signs directing them to the location of the prayer service. There will be additional cemetery staff available to answer questions and to assist visitors find grave locations.

Each cemetery will have a digital booklet sharing the names of those who were buried in the cemeteries from Oct.15, 2020 through Oct. 15, 2021. Families can also sign a digital memorial remembrance book to include their deceased loved one’s names and a special message so they can be remembered in daily prayers throughout the coming year.

In 1978, the National Catholic Cemetery Conference proposed that Cemetery Sunday be observed on the first Sunday in November as Cemetery Sunday as a day set aside to pray for the deceased and to visit the graves of loved ones. For more information, please visit www.CatholicCemeteriesChicago.org.

Cemetery Sunday Services will be held at:

All Saints Catholic Cemetery
Des Plaines

Ascension Catholic Cemetery
Libertyville

Assumption Catholic Cemetery
Glenwood

Calvary Catholic Cemetery
Evanston

Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery
Orland Park

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
Calumet City

Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery
Alsip

Maryhill Catholic Cemetery
Niles

Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery
Chicago (Mount Greenwood)

Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
Hillside

Resurrection Catholic Cemetery
Justice

St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery
Niles

St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery
Crestwood

St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery
Chicago (Mount Greenwood)

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
River Grove

St. Mary Catholic Cemetery
Evergreen Park

St Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery
Palatine