Blue Mass to pay tribute to emergency personnel
Albert Gallatin Assembly 926 of the Knights of Columbus will sponsor the eighth annual Fayette County Blue Mass to pray for the safety of today’s emergency first-responders and to remember those lost in the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001
This year’s event will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, located on Route 40 across from Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington. The Rev. James Popochock, pastor, will celebrate the Mass. Bagpipers are scheduled to perform. The event will be televised at a later date by Fayette County Television (FCTV) and streamed on its website.
Michael McCarty, chairman of the Blue Mass Committee, said, “We invite fire, police and EMS personnel and their families to attend.”
He said the Mass is open to everyone and noted those planning to attend include people from outside the area.
McCarty said, “I know there is never time to thank the men and women who respond when your house is on fire or your daughter’s car is in a ditch. The intent of the Mass is to show appreciation.”
A retired firefighter and medic, McCarty explained the name of the Blue Mass refers to fact that most rescue personnel wear blue shirts or a blue collar as part of their uniform. The tradition can be traced to 1923 in Washington, D.C., and has grown steadily, predominantly in the East. He noted the observance increased after the attacks on the United States, which took place in New York City, Washington and Shanksville, Somerset County.
The Knights of Columbus is known for its defense of the church, supporting clergy and seminarians and helping communities and charities.
McCarty noted that after the 9/11 attacks, the organization gave $3,000 to each widow and widower of a firefighter, police officer or medic who was killed at Ground Zero.
He reported that since the 2010 Haitian earthquake, the Knights pledged $1 million to provide prosthetic limbs to children and also has provided relief for victims of 2005 Hurricane Katrina. The organization also has supported adding “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance and successfully supported defense of the phrase under court challenges. The Knights are staunchly pro-life, standing with church officials against the Health and Human Service mandate requiring employers to pay for birth control and act as ambassadors to welcome visitors at the annual March for Life in Washington.
Locally, the work of the Fayette County organization includes helping the women’s shelter with food drives and supporting pro-life organizations.
More information on the Knights of Columbus can be found online at www.kofc.org.