East Hanover's Gate of Heaven Cemetery To Mark Memorial Day, America 250 With Mass

EAST HANOVER, NJ - Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover will host a Memorial Day Mass on Monday, May 25, at 11 a.m. as part of a six-cemetery observance organized by Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Bishop Manuel A. Cruz will celebrate the Mass, which will be held indoors in the mausoleum at 225 Ridgedale Ave. This year's services also commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

"For 250 years, this nation has been sustained by those willing to give everything," said Joseph Heckel, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries. "Our Memorial Day Masses exist to honor that gift and to give their families a sacred place to remember."

The services are part of "Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes," a national program developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference.

The public is welcome regardless of whether they have a loved one buried at the cemetery.

Families with veterans are encouraged to bring them. Throughout the year, Catholic Cemeteries places more than 1,000 American flags on veterans' graves each Memorial Day, with flags remaining through Flag Day.

For more information, visit rcancem.org/memorial-day-masses.

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