BASKING RIDGE — On Oct. 26, St. James School honored and prayed for local police officers in Bernards Township and surrounding areas at its annual Blue Mass at St. James Church.
Students, teachers, staff and administration of the school, parents, representatives of the police department, and relatives of students who work in law enforcement worshiped at the Mass.
Msgr. Sylvester J. Cronin, pastor, St. James Parish, presided at the liturgy and gave the homily. Deacon Peter J. DePrima assisted.
In his homily, Msgr. Cronin said, “Being part of this wonderful country and abiding by its laws is for our own good and safety. If we do what is right, good, and true — we will live a life of happiness.”
Msgr. Cronin also spoke of the importance of police officers in local communities stating, “We must hire people to enforce our laws. They are there to help us on our journey through life.”
After Mass, members of the Bernards Township Police Department and family members who work in law enforcement stood before the assembled students, teachers, staff, and parents to be honored. A representative of the eighth grade read the “Policemen’s Prayer, student song leaders and the school choir sang “Let There be Peace on Earth,” and then class representatives gave the police officers cards of gratitude and banners.
The law enforcement personnel also received a prayer card with the Policemen’s Prayer on it.
Following this, the police officers received a standing ovation and the choir led the assembly in singing “God Bless America.”