April 23, 2018

Hundreds attend fourth annual Berkshire Blue Mass on April 22

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

 

 

PITTSFIELD – EMTs, firefighters and police officers were honored and offered prayers as they risk their lives on a daily basis for the safety of their community during the fourth annual Berkshire Blue Mass at St. Joseph Church in Pittsfield.  

Approximately 300 people attended the Mass to honor public safety professionals at 11:30 a.m. on Good Shephard Sunday, April 22. The event was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Eugene F. Marshall Council 103.

The Mass was concelebrated by Father Geoffrey Deeker; Father Peter A. Gregory, retiring chaplain for the Pittsfield Fire Department; and Msgr. Michael Shershanovich, pastor of St. Joseph and chaplain for the Pittsfield Police Department, who began by blessing everyone with holy water.

Msgr. Shershanovich said in his homily that this Sunday was “the perfect time to honor the many men and women who in many ways are shepherds to everyone in the community.” He said any time their radio goes off in the car, a call comes into 911 or the bells ring on the firehouse, they don’t know what they will experience, but because of the oath they took to be good shepherds they respond to them.

“It is our privilege really today to be able to pray for you and with you. To offer our prayers asking Christ the Good Shepherd to watch and care for each one of you, you shepherds who take care of us night and day,” said Msgr. Shershanovich.

Msgr. Shershanovich asked the congregation to stand and give the public safety personnel that were present a round of applause. Police officers, firefighters and first responders participated at various times during the Mass as readers and gift bearers.

Following the Mass, a procession took place from the church to the parish center. There, Prayers of the Faithful for police officers and firefighters were recited.

Pittsfield fire captain Robert Czerwinski read the Prayer of the Faithful for first responders. He said it is very important for Berkshire residents to understand that public safety professionals depend on the protection of God’s influence for their daily duties.

“We certainly do appreciate the coming together of all the first responders throughout the region, along with our chaplains, to be able to celebrate God’s blessing over us to make sure we make it home safe and to make sure our families are glad that we make it home.” Captain Czerwinski said.

Captain Czerwinski said the Blue Mass has been a tradition in the church for 84 years and he is hopeful that some of the younger generations in the public safety field will take up the torch and continue it long into the future.

Father Gregory, who is pastor emeritus of St. Charles Parish in Pittsfield, was presented with a plaque in appreciation for many years of service as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Council 103 and Pittsfield firefighters. Father Gregory emphasized that even though he is retired he is not retiring from priesthood and will continue to do his priestly duties. He will continue to work with the Pittsfield Fire Department, Police Department and Sheriff’s Department.

“It has been an honor, so it will go on into the ages. I know that, please God, I will serve as we have come not to be served, but to serve and in our priesthood until eternity awaits us, so thank you,” said Father Gregory.

A moving ceremony took place to honor fallen officers with the dedication and retiring of the Missing Person Table.

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.