St Stephen Memorial Blue Mass, Valrico
Description courtesy of Timothy H. Manning, PR coordinator for the St Petersburg Diocese.
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 made me proud that I was once a corporal in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Reserves, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Catholic gentleman. Saint Stephen Council 14084 in Riverview, Florida sponsored a really wonderful Blue Mass that had to be the best in the state. The council invited all first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, emergency response crews and military to a special Mass honoring their special bravery they display each day. Present were representatives from the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Fire Rescue, and Citizen's Patrol; Sun City Center Emergency Squad, Civil Air Patrol, EMT's and retired military. In all, the official count of attendance was 300 plus.
The Mass began at Saint Stephen Catholic Church at 5049 Bell Shoals Road in Valrico at 7 p.m. At the beginning procession, 12 honor guard from the Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin Assembly led by Commander Rick Hughes entered with chapeaus tipped as five young children followed carrying various hats and helmets from the police, fire, military and other agencies and laid them on the alter as a tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Six very professional alter serves escorted Father Bill Swengros to the altar where Mass began.
Father Bill Swengros, with his well know warm and parental smile and unique personality, opened by saying that we needed to pray for our heroes like Corporal Mike Roberts and the firefighters in California who recently died in the line of what they loved to do best. We needed to pray that they find patience, forgiveness and that they find the strength and courage to face the realities that they meet each day.
The first reading was said by Tampa Detective and brother Knight John Columbia. The Gospel started as, "Blessed are you who believe...." Father Bill's homily was spoken from the heart explained why the hats on the altar. He mentioned about his nephew who was 30 and had a young family. His nephew was leaving for Afghanistan. A Brother and a colonel had just come back from the same place. According to Father Bill, first responders was not a job. It was a profession full of training that was a different lifestyle - a vocation. They have seen the ugliness of people and had to come home to another side - it wasn't for the money, prestige, uniforms but the inner drive to help people. He said these people were special who see and deal with evil and yet open their hearts to help. We needed to pray for their safety and well being.
Before the Mass ended, Father Bill said that first responders were much like the priesthood. It was sometimes lonely, where at times you felt like there was no one to turn to, that at one moment you encounter sadness with a funeral and the next the happiness of a wedding. Those who saw the ups and downs in humanity needed to find someone whom they could trust and confide in. He wished all could find someone they could trust and rely on.
After the Mass, there was a reception and the Saint Stephen Squires Circle 5209 was in attendance assisting with plates and other much needed attention with details. Various cakes, cookies and beverages were provided at no extra charge.
The Blue Mass was started in 1934 in Washington, D.C. to honor those who protect us.
Those present were: Randy Hale, Knights of Columbus photographer; Field Agent Thomas P. Cummings; District Deputy 35 Rick Hughes, District Deputy 33 Bill Miller, Grand Knight Julio Alvarez 14084; Faithful Navigator Ed McNamara 1850; and several other past grand knights and past faithful navigators from other councils, such as Mother Seton Council 6724 in Brandon, and Saint Anne's Council 7210 in Ruskin.
Read MoreWednesday, September 9th, 2009 made me proud that I was once a corporal in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Reserves, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a Catholic gentleman. Saint Stephen Council 14084 in Riverview, Florida sponsored a really wonderful Blue Mass that had to be the best in the state. The council invited all first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, emergency response crews and military to a special Mass honoring their special bravery they display each day. Present were representatives from the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Fire Rescue, and Citizen's Patrol; Sun City Center Emergency Squad, Civil Air Patrol, EMT's and retired military. In all, the official count of attendance was 300 plus.
The Mass began at Saint Stephen Catholic Church at 5049 Bell Shoals Road in Valrico at 7 p.m. At the beginning procession, 12 honor guard from the Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin Assembly led by Commander Rick Hughes entered with chapeaus tipped as five young children followed carrying various hats and helmets from the police, fire, military and other agencies and laid them on the alter as a tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Six very professional alter serves escorted Father Bill Swengros to the altar where Mass began.
Father Bill Swengros, with his well know warm and parental smile and unique personality, opened by saying that we needed to pray for our heroes like Corporal Mike Roberts and the firefighters in California who recently died in the line of what they loved to do best. We needed to pray that they find patience, forgiveness and that they find the strength and courage to face the realities that they meet each day.
The first reading was said by Tampa Detective and brother Knight John Columbia. The Gospel started as, "Blessed are you who believe...." Father Bill's homily was spoken from the heart explained why the hats on the altar. He mentioned about his nephew who was 30 and had a young family. His nephew was leaving for Afghanistan. A Brother and a colonel had just come back from the same place. According to Father Bill, first responders was not a job. It was a profession full of training that was a different lifestyle - a vocation. They have seen the ugliness of people and had to come home to another side - it wasn't for the money, prestige, uniforms but the inner drive to help people. He said these people were special who see and deal with evil and yet open their hearts to help. We needed to pray for their safety and well being.
Before the Mass ended, Father Bill said that first responders were much like the priesthood. It was sometimes lonely, where at times you felt like there was no one to turn to, that at one moment you encounter sadness with a funeral and the next the happiness of a wedding. Those who saw the ups and downs in humanity needed to find someone whom they could trust and confide in. He wished all could find someone they could trust and rely on.
After the Mass, there was a reception and the Saint Stephen Squires Circle 5209 was in attendance assisting with plates and other much needed attention with details. Various cakes, cookies and beverages were provided at no extra charge.
The Blue Mass was started in 1934 in Washington, D.C. to honor those who protect us.
Those present were: Randy Hale, Knights of Columbus photographer; Field Agent Thomas P. Cummings; District Deputy 35 Rick Hughes, District Deputy 33 Bill Miller, Grand Knight Julio Alvarez 14084; Faithful Navigator Ed McNamara 1850; and several other past grand knights and past faithful navigators from other councils, such as Mother Seton Council 6724 in Brandon, and Saint Anne's Council 7210 in Ruskin.
K090909-1001
