Blue Mass
Mass of thanksgiving offered for local public safety officials

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
December 7, 2006

The Church’s colors for ordinary time may be green, but for one Mass last month prior to Advent, blue filled nearly every pew.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted celebrated the annual Blue Mass of Thanksgiving at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, honoring members of 40 law enforcement agencies.

Active and retired members from around the state, and from as far away as New York, joined in prayer Nov. 21 as a symbol of their common faith and vocation to serve and protect.

“It’s special for all our brothers and sisters to be here,” said Linda Miller, a St. Jerome parishioner, Phoenix police officer and wife of a firefighter.

Churchgoers, including honorary and working officers and their families, entered the cathedral and were greeted by more than one dozen honor guard members from various agencies. For the first time, the Knights of Columbus honor guard also welcomed the men and women in uniform.

“It’s been a part of our Thanksgiving every year,” said Pat Schuller, who attended Mass with his wife and two daughters. Schuller is a Scottsdale firefighter and Most Holy Trinity parishioner.

Mass began with the posting of colors and the honor guard procession that filled up the first two rows of pews. The Phoenix Police Department’s Honor Chorus provided the music.

“Watch over those in authority so those everywhere may enjoy security and peace,” Bishop Olmsted said during the opening prayer.

During his homily, the bishop connected the Gospel story of Jesus and Zacchaeus, the tax collector, to the work of emergency personnel. Christ’s loving gaze toward Zacchaeus in the tree turned the tax collector’s life around.

“Behold the loving gaze of Christ. Nothing in the world compares to it,” Bishop Olmsted said.

“How appropriate to be reminded of the strength of Christ’s love, as we honor those who protect the innocent and the vulnerable.”

Similarly, the men and women in blue project Christ’s loving gaze when they help people in distress.

Firefighters, police officers and border patrol agents served as ushers, lectors, gift bearers and eucharistic ministers.

Phoenix Police Detective Anthony Jones, a St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner, comes to the Blue Mass each year as a sign of a greater fraternity.

That fraternity, which heartily greeted each other during the sign of peace, turned to a respectful silence during a tribute of remembrance.

Law enforcement officers from various agencies read the names and dates of 60 active and retired members who passed away since last year’s Mass. One date was as recent as three days before this year’s Mass.

Officers took turns lighting a single candle as each name was read.

After Mass, students from Ss. Simon and Jude School hosted a cookies and punch reception for the public safety personnel.