Bishop offers Memorial Day Masses at Manitowoc and Green Bay Catholic cemeteries

More than 250 people participated in the first outdoor Memorial Day Mass at Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum in Manitowoc. Green Bay Bishop David L. Ricken presided at the Mass on May 29. He was assisted by Deacons Mike Dolezal and Robert Dropka. Master of Ceremonies was Deacon Michael C. Vincent. The choir from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Newton, directed by Zach Holzer, provided music.

More than 700 people took part in the annual Memorial Day festivities on May 31 at Allouez Catholic Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum in Green Bay. Bishop David L. Ricken celebrated the Mass. He was assisted by Deacon Thomas J. Mahoney. Master of Ceremonies was Deacon Michael C. Vincent. Music was provided by the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir, directed by Jody Strnad.

After Mass, the American Legion Sullivan-Wallen Post conducted a Veterans Memorial Service at the mausoleum’s Wall of Honor. The program included a military color guard, firing squad salute and benediction prayer.

Steve Gooding, cemetery administrator, read the names of the more than 300 veterans who have been laid to rest in the cemetery and mausoleum. Included in the list were those who have been entombed at the Wall of Honor and those whose families have loaned casket flags to be flown on cemetery property over the holiday weekend.

Cemetery employees spend months in planning and countless hours of hard work preparing for the celebrations. Diocesan and parish employees and numerous volunteers also assist with the events.