HAMMOND – “This is awesome,” said Mike Welsh, chief operations officer for the Gary Diocesan Cemeteries, as he watched cars of people begin to arrive at St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day Mass. “We continue to do this for the deceased people in the cemetery and for all our veterans that are buried here. It's wonderful.”
“The only time we missed was during COVID,” added Welsh. “Otherwise, we’ve been doing this Mass since I’ve (started) in 2001, and I think they were doing it a good 50 years before that.”
As the liturgy began on May 29, celebrant Bishop Robert J. McClory reminded those gathered that, “The day after Pentecost is a particularly appropriate time for the Memorial of Mary, the Mother of the Church, and so we come here today seeking her intercession. We come here today praying for all those who have been buried (in) this cemetery and all those who have given their lives in service to our country – and we do so with repentant hearts.”
During his homily, Bishop McClory said, “The church also gives us this feast to honor our Blessed Mother. It's good to call to mind on Memorial Day “The Memorare”, a prayer seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Reminding those in attendance of the words of the prayer the bishop recited, “Remember that never was it known that anyone who implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.”
“When we remember Mary and present our prayers, we ask her to fly unto her son to present our needs,” he said. “As we remember her, she remembers us.”
Bishop McClory then reflected on the Gospel story of the Wedding Feast of Cana, the first public miracle of Jesus reported in scriptures. He pointed out that the miracle happened, in part, because Mary saw a need – the bride and groom had no wine for their guests – and so Mary presented the need to Jesus.
The bishop also took a few moments to focus on the words of the “Hail Mary.” The first portion of the prayer, he explained, begins with words taken directly from scripture – “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” – and then has a “turning point” where it begins to ask Blessed Mary to pray for us – “pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.”
“It’s a beautiful prayer in moments of despair, in moments when we feel perhaps our life is slipping away from us, if not physically and biologically, in the way we would want it to have been lived out,” said Bishop McClory.
The bishop acknowledged that many present at the cemetery had deceased loved ones in their hearts and minds, including himself. He stated that his father, who lived until the age of 95, was a World War II veteran. In the last year of his life, he was privileged to be a grand marshal in a Memorial Day parade and “that has forever changed my approach to Memorial Day,” noted Bishop McClory.
“Today is a day to remember most especially those who have gone before us, who have given their lives, and present all our needs to Mary, the Mother of the Church, who always intercedes for us,” said the bishop.
Before giving the final blessing, Bishop McClory shared his appreciation for fellow priests including Father Jeff Burton, Father Charles Mosley and Father Michael Yadron who concelebrated the Mass along with assistance from Deacon Paul Progar, Deacon Michael Halas and seminarian Nicholas Emsing. He thanked the members of the choir of St. John the Baptist for leading the service in song. He also expressed his gratitude to the staff of the Gary Diocesan Cemeteries for their work and preparation in hosting the Mass at the Hammond location.
Sue Ajdinovich, of Whiting, recalled coming to the cemetery on Memorial Day since she was very young. Having a number of family members buried on the grounds, she said she comes every year to attend Mass and help take care of the graves.
“It’s a day to remember, and a day to think about all the sacrifices,” she said.