St. Stanislaus Parish, Erie, hosts Blue Mass

Anne-Marie Welsh
09/16/2024

ERIE — If you’ve never been to a Blue Mass, offered for the intentions of veterans and first responders, do yourself a favor and try to attend one in the future.

          If you’re lucky, firefighters will have hung a huge flag above their equipment outside the church. And if you’re really fortunate, there may be someone playing bagpipes as you enter the building.

          Such was the case on September 4 as St. Stanislaus Parish in Erie hosted a Blue Mass.

          A tradition in the Catholic Church since 1934, when Father Thomas Dade started the service as part of his duties with the Catholic Police and Fireman’s Society in Washington, D.C., it is sometimes scheduled near Sept. 29, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the military, police officers, firefighters and others who work in dangerous conditions. In more recent years, it is often planned closer to September 11,

underscoring the heroic efforts first responders made on that day in 2001.

          One highlight of the Mass is the dramatic ringing of

the memorial bell as intentions are offered for various groups of first responders ranging from police and firefighters to the military, security and corrections officers, dispatchers and EMS providers.

          Father Scott Jabo, chaplain for the northwest Pennsylvania Retired State Police Association, was the principal celebrant. The son of a police officer and WWII veteran, he is also a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

          “Lord we ask you to watch over and protect all first responders who so generously devote themselves to helping,” he prayed.

“They must make quick decisions, showing both strength and compassion in all their work.”

          Concelebrating the Mass was Father Jason Glover, pastor of St. Stanislaus and Our Mother of Sorrows parishes in Erie and chaplain of the City of Erie Police Department. He also is the grandson of a WWI veteran and the nephew of three uncles who served in the military. Father Philip Pinczewski, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish and chaplain of the Erie Fire Department, also concelebrated. He, too, is the grandson of a veteran of the first World War and has a cousin who served in the Army.

          Dan Benczkowski, who organized the event, was pleased to note that the men serving Mass all had connnections to first responders and veterans in their families.  

          Erie Bureau of Fire Chief Len Trott had the honor of ringing the memorial bell.

          “I was very proud to do it,” he said of his first opportunity to participate in that capacity. “It was beautiful.”

          Benczkowski called the Blue Mass is an opportunity for unity.

          “What I see today is a brotherhood and sisterhood. This Mass brings together people from the community, from law enforcement, from medical services, fire and police departments and the military,” he said. “We come to this Mass to show gratitude and appreciation, to pray and to honor all of their service and sacrifice.”

          Following the Mass, the women of St. Stanislaus Parish hosted a reception for all participants.

 

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