First responders of all faiths unite at Blue Mass

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015

DRAPER — More than 400 first responders were honored and blessed at the annual Blue Mass celebrated at Saint John the Baptist Parish on Feb. 15.

Among the dignitaries were Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and many police chiefs.

“It is always good when we can commune together in faith and in prayer,” said Reyes. “It was my hope to show support for our law enforcement community and our first responders to carry them in their duties, not only for them to receive a blessing but also their families. It was a privilege [to attend] and I appreciate the warmth and hospitality of our friends in the Catholic faith, who reached out and made us feel so welcome here.”

Knights of Columbus Council No. 12181 hosted the celebration of law enforcement personnel and firefighters; they have established the Blue Mass as an annual event to occur on President’s Day weekend.

Ray Lopez, a Unified police officer and member of the parish’s Knights Council, said seeing people of different faiths praying for and thanking the first responders reminded him of why he is a law enforcement officer; “we bonded in a positive way,” he said. 

Dominican Father Denis Riley, parochial vicar, was the main celebrant of the Blue Mass. Concelebrants were Monsignor Joseph Mayo, pastor; and Monsignor Terence Moore, pastor emeritus.

Fr. Riley was grateful the first responders are only a phone call away when he fell last September and relied on them for help, he said as he welcomed them. 

In his homily, Deacon Paul Graham said, “We ask God to bless all of you who wear the uniform in service to our communities, and we also offer prayers for your families today, because it’s your spouses, children, and parents who every day pray for your safety while you are at work and who love and support you at the end of your shift.”

Deacon Graham also remembered the officers who have fallen in the line of duty, who never failed in their generous service, “even when it meant the giving of their lives,” he said.

The community’s sentiment expressed by the Mass was “heartwarming,” said Shane Hudsen, Unified Police Department deputy chief, who attended for the first time. “I believe that the silent majority of members in our community do appreciate the service that law enforcement provides. … I’m not a member of the Catholic faith, but at the same time knowing that I can come here and feel the care and love of members of faith means the world to me.”

Draper City Police Chief Bryan Roberts not only felt honored, he said he re-lived “great” memories as an altar boy in Los Angeles, where he attended Catholic schools; he is now a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It was so familiar. All the prayers came back to me. I remember serving at 6 a.m. Masses every day of the week for years. It was wonderful to watch all the different uniforms come forward to receive a blessing or partake of the Eucharist.”

It was also the first time for Major Michael Rapich of the Utah Highway Patrol, who also felt very welcome and appreciated the Mass, he said. 

Many officers said they will return again next year and will help spread the word about the Blue Mass.