2023 Annual Memorial Mass & Cemetery Sunday Concert Honoring Deceased Clergy – Open To Public
Annual Mass For Deceased Clergy, Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Each November, during the month of All Souls, members of the archdiocesan community, including bishops, priests, deacons, religious women, men, and lay faithful, gather to remember all priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Newark who died in the past year.
The Memorial Mass for 2023 will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 8, at 4 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Archbishop of Newark, will be the principal celebrant. All are invited to attend the Mass. To learn more about the Mass and to view photos, read the 2022 story below.
Priests and deacons serving in the Archdiocese are invited to participate in the Mass. Clergy members planning to participate in the Mass are asked to R.S.V.P to Graceann DelMauro by email to graceann.delmauro@rcan.org.
Free Memorial Concert, Cemetery Sunday, November 5, 2023
Sunday, November 5, 2023 is Cemetery Sunday, a day to remember our beloved deceased. Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark invites you to celebrate your faith in eternal life by visiting one of its cemeteries in a spirit of faith, prayer and remembrance. Catholic cemeteries are fitting places to visit – to pray, to remember, to grieve, to heal, and to console one another. It is important always to remember and to give thanks for Jesus’ promise of eternal life, which is at the heart of our Catholic faith
All are invited to A Memorial Concert in Honor of the Faithfully Departed on Sunday, November 5 at 3 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. This concert titled, “Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen (with the Cathedral Choir, Soloists, Orchestra, John Miller as the Conductor, and Kristin Dabaghian as the Organist), is intended to provide comfort and consolation for all who have lost a loved one. Anita Foley will present a brief pre-concert lecture to the bereaved at 2:20 p.m. in the Lady Chapel in the Cathedral.
Upon entering the Cathedral Basilica, guests are invited to inscribe the names of their beloved deceased in a Book of Remembrance. The concert is open to the public and tickets are not required. A free-will offering will be received.
For more information, visit www.newarkbasilica.org/concert-series.
Misa Anual para el Clero Fallecido, Miércoles 8 de Noviembre de 2023
Cada noviembre, durante el mes de Todos los Santos, miembros de la comunidad arquidiocesana, incluyendo obispos, sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosas, religiosos y laicos, se reúnen para recordar a todos los sacerdotes y diáconos de la Arquidiócesis de Newark que fallecieron en el último año.
La Misa Conmemorativa para el año 2023 se celebrará el miércoles 8 de noviembre a las 4 p.m. en la Catedral Basílica del Sagrado Corazón en Newark, NJ. El cardenal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., arzobispo de Newark, será el celebrante principal. Todos están invitados a asistir a la Misa. Para obtener más información sobre la Misa y ver fotos, lea la historia de 2022 a continuación.
Se invita a los sacerdotes y diáconos que sirven en la Arquidiócesis a participar en la Misa. Los miembros del clero que planean participar en la Misa deben confirmar su asistencia a Graceann DelMauro por correo electrónico a graceann.delmauro@rcan.org.
Concierto Conmemorativo Gratuito, Domingo de Cementerio, 5 de Noviembre de 2023
El domingo 5 de noviembre de 2023 es el Domingo de Cementerio, un día para recordar a nuestros seres queridos fallecidos. Cementerios Católicos de la Arquidiócesis de Newark les invita a celebrar su fe en la vida eterna visitando uno de sus cementerios en un espíritu de fe, oración y recuerdo. Los cementerios católicos son lugares apropiados para visitar: para orar, recordar, llorar, sanar y consolar a los demás. Siempre es importante recordar y dar gracias por la promesa de vida eterna de Jesús, que está en el corazón de nuestra fe católica.
Todos están invitados a un Concierto Conmemorativo en Honor de los Fieles Difuntos el domingo 5 de noviembre a las 3 p.m. en la Catedral Basílica del Sagrado Corazón en Newark. Este concierto titulado “Lux Aeterna” de Morten Lauridsen (con el Coro de la Catedral, Solistas, Orquesta, John Miller como Director, y Kristin Dabaghian como Organista) tiene la intención de proporcionar consuelo y consolación para todos aquellos que han perdido a un ser querido. Anita Foley presentará una breve charla previa al concierto para los afligidos a las 2:20 p.m. en la Capilla de la Dama en la Catedral.
Al entrar en la Catedral Basílica, se invita a los invitados a inscribir los nombres de sus seres queridos fallecidos en un Libro de Recuerdo. El concierto está abierto al público y no se requieren boletos. Se recibirá una ofrenda voluntaria.
Para más información, visite www.newarkbasilica.org/concert-series.
2022 Mass For Deceased Clergy Celebrates Their Impact On Communities and Future Vocations
As empathic music from “Thaïs,” the opera, and frankincense filled the 45,000 square foot Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, bishops, priests, and deacons gathered solemnly to honor their fallen brothers.
The Mass for Deceased Clergy, sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, celebrated on November 9, honored the lives and vocations of the priests and deacons who passed in 2022. The Mass also provided healing and comfort to the survivors in attendance.
During his homily, the Most Reverend Gregory J. Studerus, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, the principal celebrant, likened the priests and deacons to the “builders” of the kingdom of God. Studerus reminded Mass participants of how the priests and deacons gathered men and women in the spirit of Christ to minister to their spiritual and physical needs.
“The truth is we celebrate neither the construction nor the challenging maintenance of the great building facilities of the church,” said Studerus. “Working with so many co-workers in the fields, they [priests and deacons] worked upon a truly permanent foundation – that of Jesus Christ – forming the true temple of the Lord, which is the Church, the people of God.”
During the Mass, Reverend Bismarck Chau, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Chaplain for the Deaf, performed sign language to translate the homily to a fellow priest sitting next to him.
Before coming to the Basilica from St. John’s Church in Newark, Chau organized a daily soup kitchen for the homeless and a hub for the deaf community. Like many deceased priests who dedicated their lives to those in need, the implications of their passing are clear.
“We cannot forget those whose lives became a living stone in building the eternal City of God,” explained Chau. “A City, not made with hands, eternal in heaven, so we remember.”
Many of the clergy who died were vital to their communities. Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Granato, the pastor of St. Lucy’s parish in Newark, was a civic leader and advocated for the First Ward neighborhood in the 1970s. He supported the construction of the Villa Victoria senior citizen residence and subsidized low-rise family housing.
Reverend Frederick L. Miller was the Spiritual Director of St. Andrew’s Hall College Seminary and Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University when he passed in September. Over his 50-year-vocation, he taught more than a dozen courses on theology and spirituality and preached countless retreats to religious brothers and sisters, diocesan presbyterates, deacons, and groups of lay people. He also preached more than 50 first Mass homilies for newly ordained priests and was a frequent guest on EWTN.
Deacon David B. Loman served Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Tenafly, NJ, for 28 years. He performed weekly visits to Northern State Prison, where he was a Catholic Mentor and Spiritual Guide, spiritually enriching many prisoners’ lives, believing this was his most important work. Loman later became the Head of the Prison Ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark.
The loss of the thirty-three archdiocesan clergy members will surely be felt. But if the turnout of seminarians to the deceased clergy Mass indicates what tomorrow holds, there is great hope for the Archdiocese’s future.
Reverend Eugenio de la Rama, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese, said Newark seminarians were blessed to participate in the Mass for Deceased Clergy, and their presence was inspiring to all those present as they prayed for those who came before them and gave their lives in service to God’s people.
“The former ministry of these men is what inspired the seminarians to discern the priesthood,” said de la Rama. “May they honor their memory well and follow in their footsteps, always entrusting themselves to the Lord.”
By Maxim Almenas, Marketing Manager, Catholic Cemeteries, Archdiocese of Newark
To read the entire homily by the Most Reverend Gregory J. Studerus, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, click here.
Click To View In Memoriam Video of Deceased Clergy
Click the names of the Deceased Clergy below to read their obituaries
Monsignor Joseph J. Granato, Reverend Eugene Diurczak, Reverend Jose C. Saltarin,
Deacon Stan Fedison, Reverend Thomas S. Wisniewski, Reverend Fernando R. Po,
Deacon Dennis J. Besida, Deacon William H. Myers, Reverend Paul D. Importico, Reverend James Redstone, Father Michael A. Russo, Deacon Leo Montini, Reverend William S. O’Brien, Reverend Robert P. Nestor, Deacon Anthony Balestrieri, Monsignor Robert H. Slipe, Monsignor Francis R. LoBianco, Reverend William J. Halbing, Deacon Victor J. Peterson, Reverend Alfred V. Celiano, Reverend Thomas E. Pendrick, Reverend George M. Reilly, Reverend John F. Renard, Reverend Frederick L. Miller, Deacon Justo Rodriguez, Deacon Craig A. Stewart, Deacon Harold L. Bates, Jr., Deacon Guillermo Valladares, Deacon David Loman, Deacon Roland Bianchi, Reverend Joseph F. Coda, Reverend Kenneth J. St. Amand, and Monsignor George R. Trabold.
About Catholic Cemeteries Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark exist to meet the needs of individuals and families before, at the time of death and burial, and throughout bereavement. Just as in life, we believe the human body deserves to be treated with respect and dignity in death. Setting aside a holy burial place, we provide an appropriate environment for complete liturgical celebrations.
As a ministry, we also foster a remembering enlightened by faith and see death as a bridge to the communion of saints. Our bonds with the faithful are not broken by death.
Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark operates 11 Catholic cemeteries in 5 counties. Over 1 million have been interred in our cemeteries for more than 160 years. We also received several prestigious awards, including first place for American Cemetery Excellence at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in North Arlington, NJ, in 2017 and runner-up at St. Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum in Colonia, NJ, in 2021 and 2022.
To learn more, visit www.CatholicJourney.org.