The Annual Diocesan Blue Mass honoring fire, police and rescue workers will be held on Sunday September 11, 9:00am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Rd., Fairfield.
A reception immediately following Mass will be held in the St. Thomas Parish Center. Police, Fire and other First Responders throughout the diocese will be honored at this year’s Blue Mass.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the main celebrant along with diocesan priests who serve as police and fire chaplains in Fairfield County. Fr. Charles Allen, special assistant to the President of Fairfield University, is serving as chairman of the event.
Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Service personnel of all faiths in Fairfield County along with members of the general public are invited to attend the Mass and reception.
In keeping with the Blue Mass tradition, Bishop Caggiano will present special awards for compassion, service and bravery to Greenwich Police Sergeant Michael B. O’Connor; Norwalk Police Officer Mark Suda; Fairfield Police Officer Mark Letsch; Angelo Fernandes; Sir Knights of Columbus Angelo Fernandez of Bridgeport; and long-time police and fire Chaplain Msgr. Willam J. Scheyd, Pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan.
The Blue Mass has grown into a moving and memorable commemoration of the courage and commitment of the uniformed personnel who protect the health and safety of people every day of the year in Fairfield County. The Fairfield County Councils and Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring the Mass again this year.
Priest and Fire chaplains now at work throughout the diocese: Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., Fairfield Town Emergency Services; Rev. Michael A. Boccaccio, Norwalk Police Department; Rev. David W. Blanchfield, Norwalk Police Department; Msgr. Laurence R. Bronkiewicz, Ridgefield Police Department; Msgr. Stephen M. DiGiovanni, Stamford Police Department; Rev. Bruce Roby, Stratford Fire Department; Rev. Thomas P. Thorne, Westport Police and Fire Departments and Federal Bureau of Investigation; Rev. Francis T. Hoffmann, Noroton Fire Department; Rev. Christopher Perrella, Noroton Heights Fire Department; Deacon John J. Moranski; Bridgeport Police Department;
Also, Deacon William D. Murphy, Germantown Fire Department; Rev. Samuel V. Scott, Danbury Police Department; Rev. Robert J. Post; Stamford Fire Department; Msgr. William J. Scheyd, New Canaan Emergency Services and Norwalk Fire Department; Msgr. Richard J. Shea, Trumbull Police Department; Rev. Terrence P. Walsh, Stamford Police Department; Rev. Frank A. Winn, Glenville Fire Department; Rev. Michael Dunn, Weston Police and Fire Departments; Rev. Joseph Cervero, Redding Police Department; Deacon Frank Masso, Huntington Volunteer Fire Company No. 3; Rev. Nicholas Pavia; Stratford Police Department.
The Blue Mass takes its name from the blue uniforms worn by police, fire and emergency services personnel. Founded by Bishop William E. Lori, the Blue Mass was initiated to celebrate the life and heroism of those who died during the 911 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. Each year it also recognizes local First Responders.
If you would like to learn more about this event, please feel free to contact Janet Davis, (203) 416-1636, email: JDavis@diobpt.org.
