Diocesan Fallen Firefighters Mass

HEROES  Concelebrating priests and firefighters come together for a photo following the second annual Diocesan Fallen Firefighters Mass held in St. Gerard Church, Paterson, Oct. 18.

PATERSON  The sounds of bagpipes pierced the morning air Oct. 18, alerting the faithful to the start of a solemn Mass in St. Gerard Church here for the Diocese’s second annual Fallen Firefighters Mass where 72 brave firemen who lost their lives in the line of duty were remembered.

Special recognition was given to two fire chaplain priests who served in the Diocese before their deaths: Franciscan Father Mychal Judge, former pastor of St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, who was killed on Sept. 11th while serving as a New York City fire chaplain, and Franciscan Father John Piccione, chaplain of several fire departments and pastor of St. Bonaventure Church here. Firefighters who lost their lives were honored during the Prayers of the Faithful with the ringing of a fire bell five times.

Msgr. James Mahoney, diocesan vicar general, moderator of the Curia, and pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township, was main celebrant of the Mass as Bishop Serratelli was recovering from surgery that he had on Oct. 17. Father Brando Ibarra, pastor of St. Mary Help of Christians Parish here, delivered the homily. Father Patrick Ryan, pastor of St. James Parish in Totowa and a committee member for the Mass, said, “local firefighters from around the diocese served as lectors and the Offertory gift bearers.”

At the start of the Mass, Msgr. Mahoney said, “The Bishop wanted me to say to you a word of thanks. Thanks for who you are and what you do. First responders and firefighters are some of the most courageous people we ever come across. We are indebted to you for the things we know about and the sacrifices you’ve made that we will never know about. This liturgy is a time to ask God’s blessing on you and your safety and for your families.”

In his homily, Father Ibarra told the firefighters, “Thank you for your time and service to take people to a better place. You come in moments when people’s lives are so fragile and through your work and your compassion and your doing — you take them to a better place.”

Father Ibarra recalled a couple of years ago visiting the kindergarten class of the former St. Anthony School in Passaic, where he also served as pastor and said, “I asked them to share with me what were the dreams what were their hopes on what they would become one day. Most them answered firefighters, police officers, nurses and teachers. I’m guessing most of these children grew up seeing the good and generous service of firefighters and police officers, who do good in our local communities.”

He asked the firefighters, “Do you remember the first day when you were officially installed as a firefighter? How you felt the joy of knowing that you were making a difference, nevertheless you knew there were going to be so many challenges ahead of you.”

“The many calls you receive whether it’s a fire or other calamity are done with the hope you will be able to help. Indeed, you are equipped and prepared to respond to most challenges people are faced with today. Know that you are never alone, that you go with all those you trust and among them is the invisible, yet powerful help and protecting help of St. Michael the Archangel, who is always with you as you respond to the calls. The job that you do is a blessing to all of us.”

During the Communion meditation, two bagpipers from the Passaic County Pipe and Drums played “Amazing Grace.” As a gift to the firefighters and attendees of the Mass, pins of St. Florian, patron saint of firefighters, were given to all and blessed at the end of Mass.

At the end of Mass, Msgr. Mahoney, who has served as a fire chaplain in Chatham Township for more than 25 years, said, “I respect firefighters and its good to be with all of you who are brave, loving and loyal to your communities. For those who have lost members, we pray for you that you know the incredible debt that all of us have.”