Recalling police, firemen, first aid volunteers, Coast Guard, all military and park service rangers they are indeed answering a call from the Gospel to protect and serve others, the Reverend Steve Sansever gave a resounding homily at the 23rd annual Blue Mass celebration at St. Agnes Church Wednesday night.
The priest, who is pastor of three church and located at St. James Church in Pennington, is himself, a retired police officer from Jersey City who entered the priesthood after his wife died and he retired from the police.
He was guest speaker at the mass con-celebrated by himself, Our Lady of Perpetual Help St. Agnes pastor Father Jarlath Quinn and pastoral assistant, Father Thomas Malavarapu honoring all the men and women of law enforcement, firefights, emergency medical services, the Coast Guard an the National Park Service at Fort Hancock/Sandy Hook from Atlantic Highlands Highlands, Middletown and the Sandy Hook community.
The Blue Mass has been an annual tradition in many catholic churches since the Rev. Thomas Dade initiated the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society while at St. Patrick’s Church Washington, DC. It has been in the local parish for 23 years when first started by John Flynn and the Rev. Joseph Donnelly council of the Knights of Columbus.
Patrick Trophy Volunteer Pipes and Drums processed the honorees into St. Agnes at the start of the ceremony, with the Middletown Fire Department Cadet Color Guard presenting colors. Courtney Grogan, musical director for at the parish, presented the musical program for the evening, and BM3 Tyson Prince, USCG, led the group in the pledge of allegiance.
The 4th Degree Color Corps of the Knights of Columbus led the liturgical procession followed by a welcome from Father Quinn and opening prayers of the mass by Father Sansever. Debby Appello, chaplain for the Atlantic Highlands fire department ladies auxiliary, and Sgt. Travis Soden, of the Atlantic Highlands Police Department did the readings for the mass and Deputy Middletown Fire Chief Daniel Kelly read the intercessions.
Prior to the second reading., Sgt. Soden thanked everyone for attending and honoring the groups . He also noted it was inspiring to see so many gathered in prayer for their safety and thanks for their work and added that throughout the world there is do doubt “we need more prayer.”
Children of some of the Blue Mass participants presented gifts during the liturgy, including a life preserver, fire helmet and other protective gear of those being honored.
Both the St. Agnes Choir and the Pipes and Drums Corps offered musical background during communion and communion mediation portions of the mass.
At the end of mass, the three priests blessed the commemorative pins that were given to each of the attendees before the Pipes and Drums presented musical renditions and the recessional.
Following mass, all attended a dinner reception in the church hall beneath the church.
Brian Anderson, USN and a member of the Middletown Fire Department was altar server for the mass, and members of the Knights of Columbus Reverend Joseph Donnellly Council 11660 were ushers.
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