Catholic Cemeteries Plan Virtual Memorial Day Field Mass

CHICAGO — Usually held on the grounds of 45 Catholic cemeteries throughout the Chicago area, the Archdiocese of Chicago has canceled its in-person Memorial Day field masses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, stream one liturgy honoring the men and women who died serving the U.S. military will be streamed online at 8:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, which this year falls on Monday, Monday 25.

The Masses will be recorded in three languages, Engligh, Spanish and Polish by Bishop-elect Michael McGovern, Bishop Robert Casey and Bishop Andrew Wypych, respectively and will be available for viewing at Catholic Cemeteries Chicago.

“Traditionally, our Memorial Day Masses draw thousands to honor our veterans but because of safety precautions for our veterans and community, we will observe the Masses online this year,” said Ted Ratajczyk in a news release, executive director of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. “Our online Masses will pay tribute to those who have served our great country and our loved ones who have gone before us.”

Cemetery grounds will be open on Memorial Days with visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Staff members will be onsite and available to assist families. Visitors must abide by the CDC guidelines, wear protective facial coverings and respect social distancing directives. Only gatherings of 10 or less are permitted at grave sites.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Cemeteries staff has faithfully assisted all families with the same level of dignity and respect and has maintained the safety of those they serve and the staff members who serve them. They have continued in burying the dead and implementing procedures to assist families with planning arrangements and cemetery selections. Visit Catholic Cemeteries Chicago for a list of locations.

“Our staff members often serve families coming from the bedside of their critically ill loved ones,” said Rev. Larry Sullivan, archdiocesan priest director of Catholic Cemeteries. “They, too are responders, meeting the complex needs of the grieving during these unprecedented times.”