Nov. 9, 2016

By Colleen Miner
Staff writer

Malone -Hundreds of law enforcement and correction officers and their families gathered at St. Joseph’s Oct. 30  for a Blue Mass. Bishop LaValley, the main celebrant, was joined by many diocesan clergy in this collaborative effort to both thank the officers and to pray for the safety and well being of all the law enforcement community.
Members of the federal, state and local agencies were present in dress uniform, alongside their spouses and children.

While this is the first time a Blue Mass was offered on a diocesan level in our diocese, many dioceses celebrate a Blue Mass annually for those employed in the public safety field. The color blue relates to the blue-colored uniforms predominately used by police services.

The Blue Mass is expected to be offered every other year, in the fall, the opposite years of the traditional Harvest Mass. The date of this year’s Blue Mass was in conjunction with the Feast of the Archangels (Oct. 29): St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and St. Michael, the patron saint of police officers.

The diocesan Public Policy Committee suggested the idea of a Blue Mass in the diocese to Bishop LaValley and a committee was formed to plan the day.

Members were Father Christopher Carrara, chaplain of the Jefferson Lewis County Sheriffs, FBI; Elizabeth Daugherty, St. Mary’s, Clayton; Marika Donders, diocesan evangelization director; Father Douglas Lucia, episcopal vicar for worship and family life; Father Shane Lynch, chaplain, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Watertown Police Department, FBI Albany; and John Miner, retired New York State Police investigator.

Prior to the processional for Mass, a multi-agency color guard presented and posted the colors, and those assembled sang the National Anthem. The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree honor guard participated in the procession.

Law officers participated in the Mass by proclaiming the readings and Gospel and presenting the offertory gifts.
Among the deacons who assisted at the Mass were Deacon Gerald Savage, retired chief of the Tupper Lake Police Department; Deacon John Drollette, retired det./sgt. of the Plattsburgh Police Department; and Deacon Bryan Bashaw, chaplain of Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone.