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Supporters from around the Archdiocese of Baltimore gather for the annual Blue Mass honoring public safety personnel Sept. 15, 2024, at Saint Joseph's Monastery Parish. This year's Blue Mass at the monastery will be held Sept. 28. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Blue Masses scheduled to recognize responders

September 9, 2025
By Katie V. Jones
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Worship & Sacraments

Several churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will recognize the work of public safety professionals – including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency personnel – by celebrating a Blue Mass.

A tradition that dates to 1934, a Blue Mass, so named because of the color of many first responders’ uniforms, offers special prayers and blessings for both active and retired safety professionals of all denominations.

Archbishop William E. Lori speaks with Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley, left, and Baltimore City Fire Chief James W. Wallace prior to the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s annual Blue Mass Sept. 15, 2024, at Saint Joseph’s Monastery Parish. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“The Blue Mass is more than a tradition; it is an act of gratitude,” said Father Bill Keown, pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Oakland. “As Catholics, we believe that every vocation of service reflects the love of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.”

First responders profoundly live out that call, the priest said, “by running toward danger when others run away, offering comfort in moments of crisis and often sacrificing their own safety to protect lives.”

“At the Blue Mass, we not only thank them for their dedication, but we also lift them and their families in prayer, asking God to bless them with courage, strength and protection,” he said.

Father Keown celebrated St. Peter the Apostle’s first Blue Mass last year. This year’s Blue Mass is scheduled for Sept. 11. Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Allegany County, will concelebrate this year for the first time.

“Many times, first responders are the ones who can get there and save someone’s life,” Father Kady said. “Life is the most precious thing to God. They can make all the difference.”

Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate a Blue Mass Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish in Baltimore. Last year’s Blue Mass brought together more than 600 people from departments all around the state.

St. John in Westminster will host a Blue Mass Oct. 4

“It lets them know … that we’re supporting them. We are here for them,” Teresa Richardson, an organizer said. “It is really beautiful.”

Participants at St. John will receive “challenge coins” – tokens of thanks from St. John – when they go up for a blessing, according to Richardson. A potluck dinner featuring pasta and fried chicken will follow. St. Peter the Apostle will host a reception following its Blue Mass.

“Kids at the school will do thank-you cards and it is nice to say ‘thank you’ in person,” Richardson said, of the dinner. “It is a profession, but they are unsung heroes. We are praying for them.”

Blue Mass dates and locations

  • St. Peter the Apostle Church, 208 S. Fourth St., Oakland, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Father Bill Keown and Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, will concelebrate. Reception in the St. Peter parish hall follows.
  • St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish, 3801 Old Frederick Road, Baltimore, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate.
  • St. John Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster, Oct. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Father Mark Bialek will celebrate. Dinner will follow.

Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

A life well-coached: Lou Holtz remembered for faith, family and football

John Knebels

March 17, 2026

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One by one, inside the University of Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart March 16, a flock of priests gently patted the pall atop the casket as they descended from the altar following the funeral Mass for legendary football coach Lou Holtz.

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Father Norvel, first Black superior general for U.S. men’s religious community, dies at 90

George P. Matysek Jr.

March 12, 2026

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Josephite Father William Norvel, a forceful voice for Black Catholic identity who spent more than six decades challenging the institutional church to live up to its claim of being universal, died March 8. He was 90.

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Deacon Stretmater, father of 11 who ministered at Howard County parish, dies at 101

Jay Sorgi

March 12, 2026

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The word “presence” defined the way Deacon Daniel Stretmater ministered, living a life to evoke Christ’s presence through everything he did in his 101 years of life, including actively serving for a quarter-century at St. Louis in Clarksville.

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Beloved Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz remembered for ‘building men, not just players’

Eric Peat

March 5, 2026

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On March 4, Lou Holtz died in Orlando, Fla., at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. Forever etched in Fighting Irish lore for leading Notre Dame to the 1988 National Championship, Holtz leaves behind not just a decorated football resume but a legacy of shaping young men and inspiring people to live virtuously.

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Prolific catechist Paul Thigpen, who mused on extraterrestrial life, dies at 71

Maria Wiering

February 26, 2026

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Catholic theologian and prolific writer Thomas “Paul” Thigpen died Feb. 24 at the age of 71. A resident of Kennesaw, Georgia, he wrote more than 60 books and hundreds of articles on religion and faith.

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Jesuit Father Anthony Berret, distinguished English professor, dies at 86

Catholic Review Staff

February 19, 2026

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A funeral Mass will be offered Feb. 24 for Jesuit Father Anthony J. Berret at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthias Church in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. Father Berret, a former professor at what is now Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, died Feb. 17 at the St. Claude La Colombiere Jesuit Community in Baltimore.

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