Bishop joins in celebration of law enforcement personnel with annual Blue Mass

Hundreds of members of law enforcement and their families joined with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. for the 18th annual Blue Mass April 18 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

Among those attending the event, sponsored by the Diocese and coordinated by the Blue Mass Committee, were police officers from scores of departments and associations from throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties and the greater metropolitan area.

Bishop O’Connell, in his homily, spoke of the intrinsic message of Easter: that all who live in Jesus, share his victory over death– winning the eternal gift of his company, love and support.

He urged those in attendance to never lose sight of the promise that Jesus “is watching over you always.”

“If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, deep down in your heart,” he said, “if you believe in the Lord Jesus and he makes a real difference in your lives, you have the greatest hope and assurance possible: the Lord Jesus will never leave your side, never.”

Also in attendance were members of the community at-large and a host of civic officials including New Jersey’s Attorney General, Christopher S. Porrino;  Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes; Trenton’s Mayor, Eric E. Jackson, and Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Joseph D. Coronato, prosecutors in Monmouth and Ocean counties, respectively.

You can read more about the Blue Mass in this story from The Monitor, watch the Diocese of Trenton-produced news video, HERE, and see photos from the Mass, HERE.