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April 30, 2017

Law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders gather for annual Blue Mass in the Berkshires

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

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PITTSFIELD- Police officers, firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line every day. On Sunday, April 30, they were lifted up in prayer at the third annual Berkshire Blue Mass held at St. Joseph Parish in Pittsfield.

More than 300 people attended the 11:30 a.m. Mass, which was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall Council 103. A bagpiper and the Knights of Columbus led the procession of emergency service workers into the church. Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, began the liturgy by blessing those in attendance with holy water.

In his homily, Msgr. Shershanovich acknowledged the law enforcement professionals and asked the congregation to offer their appreciation for them, which was followed by thunderous applause.

“Today we celebrate and thank those many courageous men and women who walk with us and talk to us in moments of crisis and danger. We honor them for their caring and their protection day and night all year long,” said Msgr. Shershanovich.

He added it is so much easier to sleep at night knowing that police and first responders are just a phone call away. He said when sirens are heard up and down the street, prayers are offered to keep them out of harm’s way.

Members of local law enforcement participated during Mass as readers and gift bearers. Pittsfield Police Captain Jeffrey Bradford read the Prayer of the Faithful for police. Bradford, who is a parishioner at St. Joseph Church, said it is important for others to say prayers for public safety professionals because it makes a difference to them. He said faith plays a large part in the daily lives of many police officers.

“We quietly say prayers to ourselves to help us make it through the tough situations that we deal with on a daily basis and to give thanks afterwards at the end of our shifts,” said Bradford.

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Another procession took place after Mass in the rainy weather, from the church to the parish center. Events there included the dedication and retiring of the “Missing Person Table,” which is a ceremony to honor police officers, firefighters, first responders, and state and federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Bradford said it is important to honor these men and women for the ultimate sacrifice that they made and to assure their  families that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Msgr. Shershanovich gave a blessing before a small reception took place. Msgr. Shershanovich told iObserve that the public safety professionals are brought under the protection of St. Michael and St. Florian.

“Being the downtown church, it is an honor just to publicly thank those men and women who really protect and serve us day in and day out. It is the church’s way of saying thank you. I know the policemen will have their own Memorial Day services soon, but this is in anticipation of that,” said Msgr. Shershanovich.

The Pittsfield Police Department will hold a memorial service on May 18, during National Police Week, on the Berkshire Common Park at 12 p.m. to honor fallen law enforcement officers. The public is invited to attend.

For a video version of this story, tune into an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television newsmagazine that airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22 NEWS

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