Memorial or requiem services held by churches of all faiths
The community of West Hudson and North Arlington was stunned into disbelief when the first radio and TV bulletins announced that President John F. Kennedy had been shot while riding in the Presidential limousine in a Dallas, Texas, motorcade early Friday afternoon.
Many at home and others on the street rushed to churches of their faith to offer prayers for the President’s life. Later, when it was certain the assassin’s bullet had been fatal, more and more local residents turned local residents turned to God at home and in church to pray for the soul of the martyred President and easing of the grief of his family.
Tears welled in the eyes of the prayerful, a majority of whom were among the community’s younger people who made no effort to hide their shock and grief.
In keeping with proclamations by President Johnson, Mayors Joseph M. Healey, Kearny; Frank E. Rodgers, Harrison; Harold Larsen, East Newark; and Peter R. Tonner, North Arlington, industries, stores, supermarkets, business and professional offices, taverns, service stations, municipal offices, druggists and practically every type of endeavor were closed part or all yesterday in a national day of mourning for the late President.
The first of memorial services for the slain President was at Congregation B’nai Israel, Kearny, where the usual Friday evening Sabbath service was devoted to prayers for the late President, his wife, family and for divine guidance for the new President.
Many Catholic and Protestant churches held brief memorial services Saturday and clergy of all denominations Sunday from the pulpit eulogized the courageous leadership of President Kennedy and led prayers for the comforting of a bereaved family and nation.
Memorial services for the late President were sponsored yesterday by the West Hudson Council of Churches in Grace Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m.
Requiem Masses were offered yesterday morning or evening in the Roman Catholic churches in West Hudson and North Arlington.
Sgt. William Sawelson Post, VFW, Harrison, will hold memorial services Sunday at 1 p.m., at the War Memorial, Roosevelt Park, South Fourth Street. The public is invited.
