As the country prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo will join thousands of Catholic cemeteries across the United States in a national celebration, "Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes." Developed by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, the national program will honor those men and women who have served our country.

"This is an opportunity for Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo to honor and remember our veterans and their selfless service," said Carmen A. Colao, diocesan director of Catholic Cemeteries. "We are moved by their sacrifice."

"Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes," invites active military and veterans to participate in Memorial Day Mass and other cemetery-related activities throughout the weekend. Families and friends will be able to sign messages on special tribute boards which will be located in each of the Catholic Cemeteries of Buffalo.

Memorial Day Masses will be celebrated on Saturday, May 24, at Mount Olivet Cemetery (Kenmore), Holy Cross Cemetery (Lackawanna), Gate of Heaven Cemetery (Lewiston) and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Cheektowaga). On Monday, May 26, Masses will be celebrated at Queen of Heaven Cemetery (Lockport) and St. Adalbert Cemetery (Lancaster).

All Masses begin at 10 a.m. A full list of Mass celebrants is below:

Saturday, May 24

Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore; Msgr. Francis Weldgen, celebrant
Holy Cross Cemetery, 2900 South Park Ave., Lackawanna; Msgr. William Gallagher, celebrant
Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 500 Riverdale Ave., Lewiston; Msgr. David LiPuma, celebrant
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3063 Harlem Rd., Cheektowaga; Father David Bellittiere, celebrant

Monday, May 26

Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 6843 Tonawanda Creek Rd., Lockport; Father James Waite, celebrant
St. Adalbert Cemetery, 6200 Broadway, Lancaster; Msgr. Jerome Sullivan, celebrant