Blue Mass and Luncheon

The Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton

Chairman
Lt. Howard Allaire (Ret.)
Trenton Police Department

Chairmen Emeritus
Det. James P. Vuocolo (Ret.)
Dover Township Police

Chief Jeff Thompson (Ret.)
Ocean County Sheriff’s Dept

Committee Members
Rayanne Bennett
D.O.T. Communications Office

Chris Burgos, President 
Michael Zanyor, First Vice President
State Troopers Fraternal Assoc.

Ptl. Brian Carvale (Ret)
Hamilton Twp. P.D.

Patrick Colligan, President
N.J. State Policemen’s Benevolent Assoc.

Frederick Deickmann, Undersheriff
Monthmouth County Sheriff's Office

Robert W. Fox, President
Kevin Karcher
N.J. Fraternal Order of Police

Lt. Craig Johnson
Sgt. Anthony Pereira
Ocean County Sheriff’s Office

C.O. Daniel Kemble
NJ DOC

Pete J. Stilianessis, President
DSFC Frederick J. Gordon (Ret)
DSG James Regan
N.J. State Police N.C.O.A

Rev. Msgr. Philip A. Lowery
Clergy Coordinator

Joseph L. Mannucci, Jr., Deputy Chief (Ret.)
Rudolph A. Frank, Commander
US Customs & Border Protection

U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos
John Faber
Admin. Analyst, US Marshals Service

S.S.A. Michael Mohr
Deacon Andrew Strus
ATF

Stephen J. Montgomery
Kenneth Shuey (Ret.)
Special Agent, F.B.I

David Paulus
Ocean County 200 Club

David P. Rible, Assemblyman
NJ State Assembly, District 11

Rev. Msgr. Joseph Roldan, Rector
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral

Rev. Michael Hall
Diocesan Dir, Office of Worship

Mitchell C. Sklar, Executive Dir.
N.J. State Assoc. of Chiefs of Police

Agent Rick Prihoda
N.J. State Parole Board 

"Support your local police” is a slogan often seen on billboards, tee shirts and even lawn signs. 

With its Blue Mass, the Diocese of Trenton invited the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to do just that . . . support their police by remembering them in prayer, standing with them in worship and thanking them for all that they do to keep our communities safe.
 
The 19th annual Blue Mass – a Celebration of Law Enforcement – took place April 17, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.  Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., served as principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass, and asked God’s protection for law enforcement personnel in the four counties of the Diocese and around the state.  As many as a dozen diocesan priests concelebrated the beautiful Mass.

Hopewell police chief relies on God in all situations

Though no one in the Hopewell Township Police Department outranks Chief Lance D. Maloney, the lifelong Catholic knows he nonetheless must be mindful of direction from above.

“I am comfortable that God is with me in whatever situation,” he said of his thoughts during emergency situations. “I am comfortable that I will act morally and things will work out.”

Continue reading Chief Maloney's story in The Monitor here.

Faith gives local police officer strength in life-and-death situations

Lieutenant Patrick Brady, who had served for a decade in the New Jersey State Police’s Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, and now is a traffic officer with the department, acknowledged, “During my tenure, I responded to nearly 300 serious or fatal motor vehicle crashes. I experienced several heartbreaking stories while interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects.

“I do my best to listen, express empathy, and help them through the pain,” the lifelong Catholic stated, adding, “Several of these cases live on in my mind. My family, my faith, the solace of Church help me navigate the seas when they get rough.”

Read more about Lieutenant Brady's story in the Diocese of Trenton's MONITOR article here.

A Policeman’s Prayer

O Almighty God,
Whose great power and eternal Wisdom embraces the universe,
watch over all policemen and Law enforcement officers everywhere.
Protect them from harm in the performance of their duty.

We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe, day and night.

We commend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous.
Grant them strength and courage in their daily assignments.

Holy Father, protect these brave men and women.

Grant them your almighty protection, unite them safely with their families after Duty has ended.

In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.