Law enforcement, first responders in diocese honored at liturgies

The diocese's Blue Mass, which has been celebrated annually at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen to honor law enforcement personnel, this year was held on a local level because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic prohibited large gatherings around the state, Bishop James F. Checchio asked all parishes to recognize their community’s police officers.

“While the Blue Mass has always been an effort to prayerfully support those men and women who are serving their communities, it is also intended to help them deepen their own friendships with the Lord in prayer and worship; it is intended to be a source of nourishment, reminding them of their love for God and neighbor so that same love may flow in everything they do, but most especially as they serve and respond to the needs of all His people,” the bishop told parishes.

Echoing Bishop Checchio’s message, Father Abraham Orapankal, pastor, St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, placed a notice in his bulletin stating, “Everyone is invited to join us as we pray for law enforcement as a way of showing our support for their role in serving and protecting each of us, but also especially in light of today's climate of challenge and reform, and the need for communities to work together to promote justice and the common good in our neighborhoods.”

Father Orapankal presided and gave the homily at his parish’s Blue Mass Oct. 25. He opened by praying, “The Scriptures today invite us to treat everyone with respect and love without any discrimination. We open our hearts recognizing and acknowledging those times when we failed in this regard.”

In his homily, Father Orapankal said, “Jesus told us we cannot separate love of God from love of neighbor because love includes all. We cannot create walls of division or separation for whatever reason. Everyone is a child of God.”

Speaking to the law enforcement personnel, he expressed appreciation for their service to the community, then added, “It is very easy for us to be focusing on the media attention of the injustice done by some officers while forgetting the great service the majority of them do in our community and the nation. We want you to know that we are with you because we are all children of God.

“Today’s Gospel is all about God and loving. Loving means including all. Loving means not creating walls of prejudice or walls of separation to keep some people out of our lives, but to open our hearts to all people.”

In the Prayer of the Faithful, law enforcement was also remembered. In one petition, Deacon Russ Demkovitz prayed “for our law enforcement professionals that they will be faithful to the highest standards of peace and justice as they keep our communities protected from harm.”

At the end of liturgy, Franklin Township Police Director Quovella M. Spruill thanked the parish for its continued support and recognizing police through the Blue Mass.

Father Orapankal then gave a special blessing to the officers.

At St. Catherine of Siena Church, Pittstown, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians and firefighters were honored at Blue Masses Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski, who assists at the parish on weekends, presided at the Oct. 14 liturgy and gave the homily.

“Let us remember in a very special  way these men and women who give so generously with their lives and time because of us,” Bishop Bootkoski said.

The men and women that were being honored for their service take their vocation very much to heart and live this mission statement well, the bishop continued. He reminded the faithful of how first responders are called to the scene of a crisis and often are faced with challenging situations, including helping people deal with stress or grief.

“The care and concern that the responders have is because of their commitment to their job, which is their vocation,” the bishop said.

“We need to appreciate all that they live with. They put their lives in jeopardy for us. They have the mission statement engrained in their hearts. Love of God and love of neighbor. They really truly live it.

“You wouldn’t do this job unless you felt called. There is a real need for people to fulfill these roles, so today we say ‘thank you’ for everything you do for us. May God keep you safe as you give of yourself each and every day of your lives.”

After the homily, Bishop Bootkoski blessed the honorees: “Lord, we humbly ask that you extend your protection and bless our brothers and sisters who have dedicated themselves to serve and protect all the inhabitants of our community through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Sebastian Donaruma, a retired 30-year veteran of the police force, said he worshiped at the Blue Mass at the Cathedral each year “to remember the officers that gave their lives in the line of service.”   

When asked about the increased suspicions and ill-will toward many officers that are portrayed in the media, he responded, “The media plays more into the friction between the officers and the community. We know that the majority of citizens support law enforcement. We appreciate our community and what our local church is doing for us today.”

Officer Vincent Nardone, who has served the community for more than 35 years, said, “We lost a lot of police officers this year due to COVID. This time each year, law enforcement officers get together to celebrate at a Mass at the diocese. This year we are not doing that and it is sad.”

This year alone, more than 20 officers died statewide.

“This is a somber year,” Nardone said. “We can’t get together with our fellow officers to celebrate. We can’t even get together to honor the loss of life.

“This Mass means a lot to us. It means the community is remembering us and thinking of us. When COVID [coronavirus] hit, we still had to work. No one told us to stay home. They said come in, we need you. Some of us had to wear our uniform every day. Sadly, some went out there to work, got Covid and died.”

After Mass, all honorees received a decade-long blue pocket rosary from the newly-created diocesan Blue Army Guild and St. Michael prayer card.