Blue Mass honors those in faith-filled service

Bishop James F. Checchio spoke on behalf of the hundreds of faithful filling the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 25 when he told the uniformed police personnel seated before him, “Thank God for you. We pray for your safety.”

The Metuchen cathedral was the site of a beloved annual tradition designed to lift up in prayer the living and deceased police personnel who live and serve in the four counties of the Diocese. Bishop Checchio served as principal celebrant of the 21st annual Blue Mass and was assisted by numerous priests of the Diocese who serve as police chaplains. Representatives of this year’s host, the Woodbridge Police Department, served as readers, gift bearers and assistants at the liturgy. 

Deacon Stephen F. Kern, diocesan director of the Office of the Diaconate, was homilist and shared memories of his 34 years with the Port Authority of NY and NJ, including the infamous Sept. 11, 2001, bombing of the World Trade Center. He likened the self-sacrificing peace officers to modern-day disciples of Jesus and cautioned, “We must be prepared when he comes again.”

The deacon continued, “We need to be vigilant,” recalling the quick reactions of those police and firefighters ascending the stairs of the towers, then shepherding thousands to safety. “When I meet Jesus at his coming, will I be able to give a good accounting of myself when it comes to [those] who rely on me to be an example of how a disciple of Christ must live,” he asked. “Can I give a good accounting of myself?

“Whether we live or die tomorrow matters little compared with whether we live or die eternally,” Deacon Kern concluded. “Faith casts our fear. I saw that in the faces of the officers coming up the stairs… Faith leads us to do incredible things. With faith in what He has taught us, we can do incredible things in our world.”

Following the Liturgy of the Eucharist, bagpipers and drum corps marched down the Cathedral’s center and side aisles, then stood at attention as an officer from the Woodbridge Police Department read the Police Officers’ Prayer, which beseeches St. Michael the Archangel for “protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm.” The names of those officers who had died in the line of duty since the inception of the Blue Mass were read aloud, a bell tolling after each name.

As Catholic school students from elementary and high schools in the Diocese looked on in awe, a single bagpiper squeezed out the plaintive strains of “Amazing Grace,” joined on the second verse by the Middlesex County Police and Fire Pipe and Drum Corps which filled the house of worship with a sense of honor and prayerful gratitude. Officers from the Perth Amboy Police Department fired a 21-gun salute outside on the plaza, and a bugler played the mournful “Taps” in honor of the fallen.

Scores of officers filled the Cathedral steps following the liturgy, prompting admiring glances from onlookers along Main Street. Police cars, red and blue lights flashing, vied for space with a long row of motorcycles and mounted officers whose horses evoked giggles from the schoolchildren. As a colossal American flag suspended from a fire truck fluttered in the breeze, and the bagpipers played more joyful tunes, Bishop Checchio blessed the troops, extending his thanks for their selfless service.

Chief Larry Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department explained the role his faith plays in executing his duties.

“I went to Catholic school my entire life in Perth Amboy,” the chief began. “Having something greater than yourself to believe in, to look for solace during those times you are really not sure what is going on, when you question humanity…faith is something to look forward to, to look to God for that spiritual bump you need.”