HIGHLAND – Beginning a new tradition, the Diocese of Gary hosted its first Blue Mass on May 10 to honor law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical staff and military officers, active and retired, who serve and protect the public.
“On this day we are thanking men and women who serve others … we pray that all of us can follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love,” said Father Greg Bim-Merle, administrator of St. James the Less, where the inaugural Blue Mass was held.
The idea for the local Blue Mass, established in 1934 by Father Thomas Dade at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. and since then spreading throughout the U.S., came from David Herr, director of the Diocesan Choir that sang at the Mass and assistant to the Office of Worship.
“It was inspired by the jubilee year, Pilgrims of Hope, and I talked to Father Greg (Bim-Merle) about it in February. We felt May was the right time to do it,” Herr said.
“I’ve been wanting the diocese to recognize these first responders for years and my heart is full of joy by the turnout with just a few months of planning.”
Both Herr and Father Bim-Merle, also the chaplain for the Griffith Police Department, intend for the Blue Mass to become an annual observance. “We are hoping to have this Mass every year, at the beginning of National Police Week and near National Firefighters Week,” said the priest, who was asked to preside by Bishop Robert J. McClory, whose schedule precluded his participation.
Among those in attendance were Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter and former Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez, as well as several deacons who work in law enforcement.
Major Jerry Williams of the Indiana State Police for more than 31 years, now in charge of the capitol police at the Indianapolis headquarters, called the event “awesome. It warms my heart; we need more of this throughout the world,” he said. “There is a lot of dissension in the world, a lot of tension in our communities, and this is an opportunity to see peace and hope and to transcend all the fighting.”
Williams said he was happy to reunite with former colleagues at the Mass and lunch reception, including Deacon Mike Prendergast, a retired law enforcement officer who heads the diocesan prison ministry who proclaimed the Gospel at the Blue Mass, and retired Lake County Sheriff officer Thomas DeCanter.
The offertory gift bearers represented their fellow first responders, including retired Griffith Police Sgt. Marlene Starcevich and, in uniform, Schererville Fire Chief Robert Patterson and St. John Deputy Police Chief David DeMeter, who called it “an honor.”
Each of the honorees, active and retired, received a special St. Michael challenge coin, blessed by Father Bim-Merle, that read: “O St. Michael, give us your strength to defeat our fears and to rise up to any challenge.” The congregation also recited the Prayer to St. Michael in unison.
The Mass intentions, read by Deacon Philip Coduti, an FBI officer, included a prayer for “all first responders, may they be strengthened by the Word,” and another “for all first responders who have fallen asleep, especially in the line of duty.”
In his homily, Father Bim-Merle quoted Scripture: “No greater love hath any man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”. (John 15: 13)
Serving as a first responder, whether in police, fire, emergency medic or military service, “is not just a job, just an occupation, but a vocation following that of Jesus’ sacrifice,” he added.
Chosen for the day’s Gospel was the litany of The Beatitudes (Matt. 5: 3-12). “Jesus outlined how we might live our lives,” said Father Bim-Merle, using the words of Pope Leo the Great to explain how character qualities and attitudes can lead Christ's followers to heaven.
Blessed be the meek, for they will inherit the land,” he read. “But meek does not mean weak, it means someone who responds appropriately to a situation, and certainly this is a virtue demanded of first responders.”
Caption: Father Gregory Bim-Merle distributes Holy Communion to his brother, Michael Bim-Merle, of Michigan City, a member of the Portage Fire Department who attended the Blue Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary on May 10 at St. James the Less, where Father Bim-Merle serves as administrator. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
