By Megan Erbacher
The Message editor
Members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department, Evansville Fire Department, other first responders and retired officers gathered Sept. 25 at Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville as Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the Diocese of Evansville’s 2024 Blue Mass.
The all-school Mass included Good Shepherd students, faculty, staff, parishioners, as well as the families of the first responders.
Concelebrants included Good Shepherd Pastor Father Zach Etienne and Father Lowell Will, senior priest of the Diocese. Deacon Robert Mattingly of St. Boniface Parish assisted, and Matt Miller, diocesan director of the Office of Worship, served as master of ceremonies.
The Church began celebrating the Blue Mass dating back to 1934. It’s celebrated annually across the nation on or near the Sept. 29 Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, patron of those in public safety and who protect others.
Bishop Siegel said it was an honor as he welcomed all first responders and public safety servants in attendance and joined them in praying for the intercession of St. Michael for his protection and guidance.
St. Michael is the great protector of heaven and Earth, Bishop Siegel explained, and so as our law enforcement officers and other first responders are called to protect and care for our citizens, we ask the Archangel to watch over those who serve, to intercede and protect them in their works.
In addressing the first responders, Bishop Siegel said we recognize the many challenges each of them face daily, and we know responding to the needs of fellow citizens sometimes comes at a great personal cost. Despite this, he noted they continue to step up to this task with courage and integrity. They do this in circumstances that often bring them face-to-face with human weakness and fragility, he continued, and also with the capacity of human beings to inflict terrible evil on each other.
During his homily, Bishop Siegel prayed that through their faith, the Lord grant them spiritual insight and strength to persevere in their work, never losing hope in humanity or the power of God to transform the most tragic situations into moments of grace and healing.
He asked God to bless and protect all first responders and give them the wisdom they need to make good decisions, often in the moment, to carry out their responsibilities that are just and fair to all people.
The families of law enforcement and first responders also make sacrifices, Bishop Siegel said, that enable them to serve their community devotedly. He offered a special blessing upon their families — spouses, children and parents — who pray daily for their safety while they are at work and love and support them at the end of the day when their duty is done.
Finally, Bishop Siegel remembered all who have fallen in the line of duty, who never failed in their generous service, even when it meant giving up their very lives.
In closing, Bishop Siegel thanked all public safety personnel for being present and thanked them for their service to the community. He then asked God to bless them always.
