Members of police, fire and medical first responders, their families and friends joined parishioners from Our Lady of Angels Parish in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood on Oct. 26 for the annual Blue Mass.
The liturgy recognizes members of the safety forces and other first responders for their service and pays tribute to those who died during the past year.
OLA traditionally hosts the Mass because Father Russ Lowe, the pastor, serves as chaplain for the Cleveland Fire Department. A previous pastor, Father John Cregan, also was a chaplain for Cleveland safety forces and for the Greater Cleveland Safety Forces Holy Name Society. During his tenure the parish regularly hosted the celebration.
This year’s celebrant was Father Kevin Klonowski, parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in Stow, who serves as chaplain for the Stow Police Department. Concelebrants were Father Lowe, Father Doug Brown, pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Cleveland and Cleveland Police Department chaplain, and Father Joe Mamich, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville, who serves as chaplain for the Strongsville Police and Fire Departments. Father John Carlin, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Parma and chaplain for the Parma safety forces, was unable to attend.
Many first responders – including police, fire and Cleveland Emergency Medical Service personnel -- at the Mass wore their dress uniforms. Also represented were members of the Retired Irish Police Society of Cleveland, who wore their traditional green blazers and gold ties.
After processing in behind members of the safety forces pipes and drums, the flags were placed in their stands and the congregational sang the national anthem.
In his homily, Father Klonowski noted that in the first reading, we heard that God hears the cry of the oppressed – of those in need. “How often have you been an instrument of mercy to those in need?” he asked the first responders. “You’ve been cast in that great position of helping those in urgent need, of being agents of help.”
Father Klonowski shared a story explaining how his family relied on first responders when his father fell while cleaning gutters at his family home a few years ago. He said the Parma first responders helped both his father and mother that day. “And we are very grateful,” he added.
When things are difficult, when the emergency workers are exhausted and the job seems to be too much, he urged them to remember the prayer of the tax collector in the day’s Gospel. While the Pharisee prayed to himself, the tax collector asked God to be merciful to him for he was a sinner.
“Do not be afraid to call out to God in your time of need,” Father Klonowski said. He also pointed out that St. Paul was willing to put his life on the line daily to help spread the word of God. “There is no greater thing than to lay down one’s life for a friend,” he added, noting that safety forces may be asked to do that as a part of their job.
“Through the intercession of Saints Michael and Florian (patron saints of police officers and firefighters), may God keep you safe,” he said.
The names of all members of area safety forces – retired and active duty -- who died since the 2018 Blue Mass were recited in the Roll Call of Honor. Taps was played by a bugler and a piper performed “Amazing Grace” as the safety forces stood at attention.
Father Lowe made brief remarks after Mass, welcoming all once again to the parish and sharing Father Carlin’s regrets that he could not attend. “He sends his greetings and his prayers,” Father Lowe said.
After processing out with the pipes and drums, all were invited to Linus Hall for a reception.