Holy Cross Cemetery & Mauso

Runner-Up in 2016 American Cemetery Excellence (A

— by J. Verzi, K.H.S., CCCE

Holy Cross Cemetery and One only needs to observe the age of lush vegetation, dinosaurs, and Mausoleum, in North Arlington, NJ, some of the artwork, headstones and and Eve. a property of Catholic Cemeteries of private family mausoleums at Holy the Archdiocese of Newark, was rec- Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum to Specially commissioned life-size ognized recently as one of three run- see that timeless traditions are deeply bronzes of St. with a ners-up in the 2016 ACE (American intertwined in the cemetery’s heritage wolf and St. Kateri Tekakwitha, both Cemetery Excellence) Award contest dating back to its start in 1915. framed with an 18-foot-high flight of from American Cemetery & However, Holy Cross Cemetery and bronze doves and stone wall, stand Cremation magazine. This is the sec- Mausoleum also has forged full-speed vigil in outside gardens. Lindenwood ond Catholic Cemeteries property ahead with cutting-edge technology carved statues of St. Elizabeth Ann recognized as a contest runner-up by and architecture, innovative product ACE. Maryrest Cemetery and choices, world-class customer service Mausoleum in Mahwah, NJ, earned and unsurpassed beauty and this distinction in 2013. grandeur. A unique holy place that allows families to memorialize and The 2016 ACE Award winner, remember their deceased loved ones according to the magazine’s in a beautiful, inviting and faith-filled December issue, is Rose Hills atmosphere, Holy Cross Cemetery Memorial Park & Mortuary in and Mausoleum is recognized as one Whittier, CA, one of the country’s of the most magnificent cemeteries in largest cemeteries. The two other run- the country; it is a holy place with a ners up include: Bunurong Memorial museum-like characteristic. Park in Victoria, Australia, and Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati, Evangelization Through Art OH. According to the publication, which recognizes top-performing Celebrating the eternal divine bond cemeteries among numerous appli- initiated at and affirmed in cants from the U.S. and around the the Catholic belief in the Communion world, “this year’s three runners-up of is the theme of the mau- stood out not only for their perform- soleum’s 90 major art works. Among ance, professionalism and innovation, them are six floor-to-ceiling mosaics but also for their ability to look to the that portray the Genesis story of cre- past to envision the future.” The ation, which employ thousands of 102-year-old Holy Cross Cemetery colored stones and tiles hand-cut and Mausoleum was described as from glass, marble and ceramic “built to stand the test of time.” depicting the planets, sea creatures, 18 Catholic Cemetery, March 2017 soleum e (ACE) Contest

Seton, Teresa of Calcutta, Frances Xavier Cabrini and Marianne (of Molak’i) Cope repose in bright alcoves at the ends of four corridors.

A completed Rondanini Pietà statue (bottom of page 18) imagines what Michelangelo would have completed had he not died before finishing the magnificent work depicting the body of Jesus in the arms of his Mother, Mary, after the Crucifixion. The 15- foot Carrara-marble statue with wooden cross imported from Italy sits atop a hill overlooking all the faithful departed. A similar marble statue of St. Helena, the Emperor Constantine’s mother, who found the True Cross during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the fourth century, com- plements this masterpiece. This stat- ue is displayed on the opposite side of carved base depicting Adam and the tragedy of September 11, 2011. the mausoleum’s exterior. Eve’s fall from grace. The inspiring The memorial reflects the architec- art reminds visitors of the Catholic ture of the World Trade Center and Holy Cross Cemetery and faith and tells the stories of the Bible features two 20-foot stainless steel Mausoleum also features 100-year- from creation to the resurrection. towers built to scale and bound by a old stained glass art, including an 85- stained glass cross. Attached to the year-old, 10-foot Rose Window Meaningful Structures towers are four titanium plates depicting Jesus with children, and Empower the Faithful etched with photomontages of the various Altars and statues reclaimed events from that tragic day, including from now closed churches in Bolstering the beauty of the cemetery the recovery and aftermath. The Newark. These beloved and grounds are several features that are memorial’s base is composed of orig- treasured art works flank the main significant for individual and group inal brick pavers from Newark’s chapel where a colossal cross of prayers, personal meditation, and Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Lindenwood hangs above the marble reflection. In a special section of the Altar with an intricate, marble- cemetery are 10 graves connected to continued on page 20

Catholic Cemetery, March 2017 19 Holy Cross Cemetery, continued

Archdiocesan clergy and lit by family members when their loved one’s name is announced.

Additionally, Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum joins more than 1,000 Catholic cemeteries nationwide to recognize Memorial Day in honor of those who have died while serving in the armed forces, as well as those actively serving today and our mili- tary veterans. Holy Cross invites active military personnel and veterans to participate in this Mass and to serve as flag or candle bearers, Lectors, or participants in the Presentation of Gifts, and to recite .

Memorial Day Mass at Holy Cross Original Twin Towers steel beams on display at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum’s 9/11 Memorial unveiled during its dedication ceremony; with Cemetery is significant and extraordi- Archbishop Emeritus John J. Myers (center), Andrew P. Schafer, Exec. Director of nary. Countless members of local Catholic Cemeteries (left), and Rev. Msgr. A. Andreano, V.G., Vicar General police and fire departments, EMS, and Chancellor (right). Knights of Columbus, local digni- taries and government officials, war Heart on which John Paul II Ministry Through veterans, etc., attend, participate, and walked. Community Services donate their time, and commit to assisting with the safe, successful and Additionally, on display are twisted A primary goal and an integral aspect prayerful commencement of Mass for beams from the original Twin Towers of the cemetery’s ministry is to pro- the hundreds of local parishioners (above) donated by the Port vide for the spiritual needs of its com- who attend each year. It is a meaning- Authority of and New munity and families. Under the direc- ful occasion for the Church, the Jersey. Near the cemetery’s main tion of Andrew Schafer, K.H.S., cemetery and the community. entrance is a 60-foot steel pyramidal CCCE, Executive Director of At Holy Cross Cemetery, visitors and structure with a canopy under which Catholic Cemeteries, outreach pro- families of departed loved ones also Saint John Paul II celebrated the grams involving the community’s par- are offered an opportunity to express Eucharist at Giants Stadium on Oct. ticipation have flourished over the themselves on life-sized greeting cards 5, 1995 (see page 19). Archdiocesan years. clergy who facilitated the papal visit on special days including , are especially fond of this monument. As part of the fulfillment of this com- Christmas, All Saints/Souls Days, Behind the canopy is the priests’ bur- mitment, Masses of Remembrance Mother’s and Father’s Day, and ial section which adds to its signifi- are celebrated at Holy Cross Memorial Day. These 12x5 foot cance. This same structure serves as Cemetery on the first Wednesday of “greeting cards” are installed up to the backdrop for our annual each month. These Masses include a two weeks prior to a special day, and Memorial Day Mass honoring our beautiful candle-lighting ceremony eventually they are filled with numer- heroes. for first-time families who choose to ous handwritten personal messages remember departed loved ones with a conveying love, sadness, hope and memorial candle blessed by faith from visitors of every age. They provide a unique and inspirational

20 Catholic Cemetery, March 2017 Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum also features 100-year-old stained glass art, including an 85-year-old, 10-foot Rose Window depicting Jesus with children, and various Altars and statues reclaimed from now closed churches in Newark. Below, one of the floor- to-ceiling mosaics, part of the Genesis collection as shown in the Mausoleum Chapel above, depicts Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. way for the community to remember less fortunate in the Archdiocese. and memorialize their loved ones. Additionally, as a way to demonstrate a sincere commitment to the mission The end-of-year holiday time is par- of “Trust, Respect & Dignity” and to ticularly busy for Holy Cross help ensure that Holy Cross Cemetery staff in reaching out to the Cemetery/Catholic Cemeteries can be community. of service to needy and marginalized families, free grave vouchers are A Concert of Remembrance in the offered to Catholic families that may grand Cathedral Basilica in Newark be in extreme financial crisis at a time commemorates All Saints and All of loss. Souls days, and the bereaved are invited to inscribe the names of Educating Students departed loved ones in a special book of remembrance. Additionally, an During the summer, about 50 high annual Candlelight Carol Sing is school students in the Archdiocese of hosted in mid-December at the Newark visit the cemetery to learn Cathedral where the community is about Catholic burial and to build invited to attend an impressive stand- and install birdhouses, which comple- ing-room-only event (with 2,000+ ment the cemetery’s park-like setting. churchgoers). This has become one of Their two-day visit is part of a com- Holy Cross Cemetery’s best commu- munity service program with the nity outreach programs. Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of During the Christmas season, the Newark. This program has proven to team at Holy Cross Cemetery (and all be a positive and productive way of other Catholic Cemeteries properties) introducing teens to a cemetery. also collects food and monetary donations for distribution to those continued on page 22

Catholic Cemetery, March 2017 21 This centrally located Gazebo provides a special location for community events and activities sponsored by the cemetery.

It helps educate students about the A Community Partner faith and hope. Upon the very first Order of Christian Funerals and visit, guests will learn that this 21st Catholic burial practices, and teaches As a respectful and long-serving com- century cemetery has taken into con- that a cemetery can be a positive and munity partner in the town’s revital- sideration every last detail. Z uplifting place to visit, reflect, pray, ization efforts, Holy Cross Cemetery and remember departed loved ones. has renewed, rebuilt and improved its property. Before the expansion of The building of birdhouses in this Holy Cross Mausoleum in 2009, the program is symbolic, as birds bring local Zoning Board and borough life and nature to the cemetery and requested Catholic Cemeteries to help visitors during the healing repair adjacent sidewalks and create process when mourning. two park areas.

During construction, each teen is Upon the expansion project’s comple- offered an opportunity to personalize tion, Holy Cross replaced 12 munici- their birdhouse with an imprinted pal trees with 27 new trees, added a name plaque in memory of a departed berm on one side of the cemetery, loved one. Names of departed loved reconstructed sidewalks along the ones are collected from students early main road near the cemetery, installed in the day and miniature name a modern bus shelter, and developed plaques are provided before day’s end. two “pocket parks” that offer the This makes the project deeply person- community beautiful recreational al and meaningful for the teens. space.

The birdhouse program was recog- Holy Cross Cemetery and nized by the International Cemetery, Mausoleum is truly a special place. Cremation and Funeral Association Ancient scriptures and contemporary (ICCFA) and awarded First Place in art are combined in an effort to trans- the 2015 KIP (Keeping It Personal) form the unsettling reputation of Events category. cemeteries and mausoleums into a welcoming place filled with beautiful and meaningful symbols that inspire

22 Catholic Cemetery, March 2017 Reprinted with permission from Catholic Cemetery magazine.