Picture if you will, a small community on an September Saturday afternoon, the skies changing from sun to clouds, the wind carrying with it the promise of deep fall. Continue to imagine this same late Saturday afternoon, add a church, with doors open, welcoming its congregation, who hurriedly step along the street, approaching the steps, calling greetings and waving to others. Now imagine seeing 100 law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders, in their respective units’ full dress uniforms, walking proudly as one into the church to the call of bagpipes.
This picture isn’t a lesson in creative imagery but rather the actual sights and sounds that unfolded at the Holy Rosary Church — Parish of the Precious Blood, in Caribou on Saturday, Sept. 10, as private citizens and law enforcement members attended the Blue Mass, honoring fire, law enforcement and emergency personnel of the State of Maine and Western New Brunswick, celebrated by His Excellency The Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Portland and His Excellency The Most Reverend Claude Champagne, Bishop of Edmundston, New Brunswick; and Very Reverend Jean-Paul Labrie of Caribou.
The Blue Mass, historically held in either Lewiston or Bangor, was held in Caribou for the first time, is the principal occasion for the diocese of Portland to recognize the dedication and self-sacrifice of those who daily protect and serve us throughout Maine. It is also during this time that law enforcement officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty are honored and remembered.
According, in part, to the Blue Mass program, “The Blue Mass, referring to the blue uniforms worn by so many public safety personnel, dates back to 1934 and is a venerable tradition in many dioceses. In the diocese of Portland, many Catholics serve in crucial posts, protecting our communities. This Mass calls forth in us a greater awareness of, and gratitude for, the lives of those who serve us so faithfully.”
Once the congregation was seated, the guests of honor entered the church to applause in respect and recognition for the jobs they are so selflessly committed to.
Prior to the mass, the Posting of Colors, by a multi-jurisdictional Honor Guard representing the Maine State Police and Sheriff’s departments; Maine Warden Service; the Caribou Fire Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was observed.
During his remarks, Bishop Malone spoke of being an assistant bishop in the Boston area on Sept. 11, 2001. He shared how he witnessed during the following days, how individuals came together, holding candlelight vigils for those 343 New York firefighters whose lives were lost at the World Trade Center, for the 60 police officers, for those individuals and their families at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. “These were heart-felt testimonies, showing solidarity and union, in hope and in prayer — we should do this more often.”
Bishop Malone reminded that the Blue Mass is celebrated “for all who serve the common good, for all emergency personnel, living and deceased.” Referring to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 the bishop stated, “We can never escape it you know — it should never happen — it must be remembered.”
At one point when the Bishop was speaking, the muted sounds from an emergency radio filtered through the rows of safety personnel. As two Caribou EMTs quickly and quietly exited the church, Bishop Malone said softly, “That is why we are here.”
In other comments during the Blue Mass Bishop Malone cited lessons learned 10 years ago on Sept. 11, including the abuse of free will, the need to remain vigilant and to resist extreme ideologies.
Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods stated, “I was very pleased with the turnout at the Blue Mass, I heard many positive comments by the general public.” Woods also commented that, “While it is always unfortunate for any of our citizens to be in need of an emergency responder, when the call came in during the Blue Mass, it kind of drove the point home. That’s what we do and it proves that emergencies don’t come to a stop because of another event, I hope the public recognizes this fact.”
“The whole idea that this was the first time the Blue Mass was celebrated north of Lewiston or Bangor, made it very special,” said Caribou Chief of Police Michael Gahagan, and the response from area firefighters, emergency personnel and police departments was exceptional. It was really nice to have our Canadian partners involved in this event,” Gahagan added.
“This was the first time they have participated in the Blue Mass (mainly because of location). With Bishop Champagne helping to celebrate the Mass, their attendance, meant a lot to everyone. In today’s world, it really makes our countries and our law enforcement personnel even closer — sharing both the good and the bad together. It was just natural that we would invite them to be included in the Blue Mass Celebration,” he added.
Chief Gahagan stated, “When Bishop Malone was speaking, I think it became a very personal time for all public safety individuals — that was very special.”
Return to your image created previously, take into consideration all that the firefighters, EMTs, Border Patrol/U.S. Customs, sheriffs, game wardens and police officers, both local and state; clergy members and all other emergency personnel do on a day-to-day basis. Consider what it would be like if these trained individuals in our communities were not in the picture — those that protect our children, our property; those who show compassion in time of loss or harm; those who repeatedly put others first. Step back and realize that it is because of these first responders that we can imagine.
Law enforcement, fire, police and emergency personnel who actively participated during the Blue Mass included Brian Stoliker from the Madawaska Fire Department; Trooper Dan Deschaine, Maine State Police; Kurt Soucy, Madawaska Ambulance Department; Julie Ryan, constable, Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Adrian Marquis, Maine Warden Service; Norm Cyr, Madawaska Fire Chief; and James Cerrato, Fort Fairfield Police Department.
Blue Mass Committee members included Janet Beckwith, pastoral associate, Parish of the Precious Blood; Sue Bernard, communications, Diocese of Portland; John Bonner, U.S. Border Patrol; Dean John Brennan, Diocese of Portland; Commander Mark Brooks, Troop F- Maine State Police; James Cerrato, Fort Fairfield Police Department; Steven Corbin, coordinator Aroostook EMS; Chief Norman Cyr, Madawaska Fire Department; Sgt. Ronald Dunham, Maine Warden Service; Chief Michael Gahagan, Caribou Police Department; Patrol Agent in Charge Dennis Harmon, United States Border Patrol; Chief Matthew Irwin, Presque Isle Police Department; and Deputy Chief Rosaire Leclerc, Grand Falls Police Force.
Also Sheriff James Madore, Aroostook Sheriff’s Department; Robert Schwartz, executive director Maine Chiefs of Police Association; Sgt. Marc Violette,, Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Lt. Thomas Ward, Maine Warden Service; Chief Darrell White, Presque Isle Fire Department and Chief Roy Woods, Caribou Fire and Ambulance.
