Annual Blue Mass honors sacrifices of public safety personnel

The Greater Cleveland Safety Forces Holy Name Society sponsored its annual Blue Mass on Sept. 11 at Mary Queen of Peace Church in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood.

Bishop Edward Malesic was the primary celebrant, with several safety forces chaplains as concelebrants, including Father Doug Brown, Mary Queen of Peace pastor and Cleveland safety forces chaplain, Father Anthony Marshall, pastor of Communion of Saints Parish in Cleveland Heights and Cleveland Heights safety forces chaplain, Father John Paul Cafiero, OFM, Padua Franciscan High School chaplain, Parma safety forces chaplain and a former New York City police officer, and Father Daniel Divis, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lorain and Lorain safety forces chaplain. Father Tim Plavac, pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Parish in Mentor and Mentor safety forces chaplain, was in attendance.

Leading the entrance procession were the Cleveland Firefighters Pipes and Drums and an honor guard of first responders. A police hat and firefighter helmet were displayed near the altar.

Marty McGinty, a retired Cleveland firefighter, read the names of first responders who died during the previous year and acknowledged those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Bishop Malesic recalled that he was a priest in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 25 years ago and learned about the attacks in New York City while driving to his office. “I had been to the World Trade Center many times and had eaten there … I knew that we were witnessing evil,” he said, but noted it “galvanized us as a nation.” He also said that day changed the lives of thousands of people.

 Months after the attacks, the bishop said he and the Harrisburg bishop visited Ground Zero in New York City and saw the aftermath of the attacks. “We also witnessed extraordinary goodness that day,” he said, reflecting on the actions of first responders and others who did what they could to help the victims.

“They remind us of the works of Jesus who laid down his life for others. The world changed that day and in some ways, we changed, too, but we can’t let this disaster dictate the type of people we are … We must be loving, caring, compassionate and peaceful … Don’t let the devil upend that,” Bishop Malesic said.

“At the Blue Mass, we ask God to protect those who help us, those who stand between chaos and order … Your vocation asks you to stand where others cannot or will not … You stand in the gap to protect us when chaos threatens and you do what needs to be done. It requires more than physical strength. It requires wisdom. Use that wisdom. To be gentle and peaceful does not mean you are weak. In moments of crisis, emotions are high and tensions escalate,” the bishop said, but first responders show mercy, love, courage and self-control.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said, encouraging the first responders to seek justice and never lose sight of mercy. He acknowledged their jobs are difficult and it may be hard to release some of what they witness. “But God sees your acts of courage, the lives you save and you will be rewarded … Behind every uniform stands a family and today we honor them as well as thanking all of you for your courage and professionalism as you stand in the gap … May God bless you, protect you and bring you home safely to those who love you,” he added.

After Mass, the bishop mingled with first responders and their families at a reception in the church hall.

For more information on the Greater Cleveland Safety Forces Holy Name Society, click here.