'For Justice and Peace'

Blue Mass honors law enforcement personnel,
remembers fallen officers

PATERSON  In honor and in gratitude for the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who keep neighborhoods safe in the Paterson Diocese and communities beyond, the annual diocesan Blue Mass was celebrated May 5 at St. Gerard Church here. Bishop Serratelli was the principal celebrant of the Mass with several priests of the diocese as concelebrants. Many of those priests serve as police and fire chaplains for local departments. At the Mass, many agencies and departments were in attendance including the Aruba Police Department, which attends every year, as well as civilians and family members of the officers.

The Mass remembered fallen officers killed in the line of duty since last year’s Blue Mass — Det. Melvin Santiago, Jersey City Police Department; Officer Christopher Goodell, Waldwick Police Department; Special Officer Reinaldo Arocha Jr., Newark Police Department; Officer Stephen Petruzzello, Cliffside Park Police Department; Det. John Scott Stevens, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; Det. Rafael Ramons, Det. Wenjan Liu, Officer Michael Williams, Officer Dennis Guerran and Officer Brian Moore, all of the New York City Police Department. Also recognized were Morris County Corrections Officer Bruce Carlson and Lt. Brian Beutel of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.

American flags were carried in the opening procession of the Mass by an honor guard consisting of police officers from different departments. The Emerald Society Pipes and Drums followed with the sounds of muffled drums beating and bagpipers wailing in solemn remembrance of the hero officers lost.

Bishop Serratelli welcomed the officers to the Mass and thanked them for their presence and for protecting the community.

The songs and readings of the Mass reflected themes of love and sacrifice and prayers were said for the safety of the officers.

Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of Our Lady of Victories and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes in Paterson, who served in the U.S. Air Force, gave the homily reminding the congregation that peace is ours as long as God is always in the forefront.

“Here present are our law enforcement officers, sheriffs, deputies and law enforcement officials from various locations. Their profession, their calling is to serve and protect the people located in various municipalities,” he said. “Their calling, their great work is to bring peace and order in the various cities and towns they serve so that the people located in their jurisdictions can live their lives without being troubled, without being afraid. Without them, normal daily life would be impossible. There would be chaos in our streets and no one would feel safe anywhere — not even in their own homes — and yet, many people take the daily sacrifice of these fine men and women for granted.”

“Our finest are represented here,” Father Williams said. “They are here present and they must do their daily duties often experiencing resistance — sometimes strong resistance from those whom they are trying to serve and protect.”

Father Williams closed his homily by saying: “The Lord’s spirit is present in this world to protect all who call upon God, no matter what. Peace is ours as long as we look to God as our strength.”

At the Communion meditation, the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums played “Amazing Grace.” Afterward, the bishop blessed commemorative Blue Mass pins and medals of the officers at the end of Mass that they might be kept safe from all harm.

At the end of the Mass, Bishop Serratelli told the officers: “All the people of the Diocese of Paterson are so grateful to you. You make such great sacrifices for us. I join with all the people of this diocese to bless you and your families. To those families whose loved ones have been taken away from us in the line of duty, know that the good Lord is looking upon that sacrifice and calls them to himself.”