BLACKWOOD – On the Feast of the Archangels, Deacon David Harkins looked out at his fellow law enforcement officers and first responders gathered in Saint Agnes Church and urged them to follow the example of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
“Protect and defend those in danger [and] heal and console those in distress,” Deacon Harkins, chief of the Gloucester Township Police Department, preached during the 20th annual diocesan Blue Mass.
He also cited Jesus as a model for first responders, as they, too, must meet people where they are at, whether it’s responding to motorists in an accident, helping during an overdose, interacting with the vulnerable and disenfranchised, or laying down one’s life for someone else.
“You are doing God’s work, because you are serving God’s people,” he said.
The Blue Mass, which recognizes the sacrifice and dedication of South Jersey’s emergency responders, was celebrated Sept. 29 by Bishop Dennis Sullivan at the Blackwood church, a worship site of Our Lady of Hope Parish. Joining the Bishop were hundreds of priests of the Diocese, clergy, faithful, students from nearly 20 Catholic schools and viewers via livestream video on diocesan social media.
The presence of The Catholic school community meant a lot to first responders, said Sgt. Eric Ayala of the New Jersey State Police, an altar server for the Mass.
“I’m glad that they are here, so they can see us in a positive light, worshipping God,” he said.
A parishioner of the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill, he sees many parallels between his lifelong faith and his professional vocation with the State Police.
“Being raised in the Church, you’re raised to be selfless. With [my ministry], everything is selfless; you do the right thing, even when nobody is looking,” he said.
School students said they were also happy to attend the Mass, including Luke Chamberlain, eighth-grader and Student Council vice president at Saint Margaret Regional School in Woodbury Heights.
“It’s great to be here, show respect for them and thank them for their protection,” he said.
Naveen Franks, a sixth-grader at Williamstown’s Saint Mary School, said, “It’s amazing how they do it [their jobs.] They save so many lives.”
In addition to the uplifting sounds of pipes and drums of the Camden County Emerald Society; NJ Department of Corrections; and New York New Jersey Port Authority, as well as choristers and musical accompaniment, a more somber moment took place when the names of those who died in the past year were recited, followed by the ringing of a bell.
Bishop Sullivan called the Blue Mass “a great privilege for us to recognize, thank, honor and pray for” women and men law enforcement and first responders. Part of those prayers included the Bishop blessing 2021 Blue Mass pins that were later distributed.
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