Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

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


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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

Sister Michael Kathleen Deane, former longtime Rosedale principal, dies

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Sister Michael taught elementary grades in Baltimore City at Ss. Phillip and James School, St. Katharine School, and Shrine of the Little Flower School. in Baltimore. She then taught at Immaculate Conception School in Towson and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer School in Rosedale. Following a few years teaching in Bethesda, Sister Michael returned to St. Clement as principal of the school for 23 years. After her time at St. Clement, she spent more than a decade volunteering at The Catholic High School of Baltimore.

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Continue Reading Sister Michael Kathleen Deane, former longtime Rosedale principal, dies

Sister John Francis Schilling, St. Frances Academy’s biggest fan and transformative leader, dies at 81

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As an English teacher, counselor, principal and president, she helped transform the East Baltimore school by strengthening its counseling services, expanding its athletic programs and leading the construction of a gymnasium and community center that became a centerpiece of campus life.

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Sister Mary Katharine Brent dies at 106

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A funeral Mass for Oblate Sister of Providence Mary Katharine Brent will be offered Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at Mount Providence Convent in Artbutus. Sister Katharine died Oct. 7. She was 106.

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Continue Reading Sister Mary Katharine Brent dies at 106

Mike Ditka dies at 86: A life of football, fire, and Catholic faith

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Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame football player and fiery coach who led the Chicago Bears to their only Super Bowl championship, died Friday, Oct. 9, at age 86. His family announced his death, remembering him not only as a football legend but as “the heart of our family.”

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Continue Reading Mike Ditka dies at 86: A life of football, fire, and Catholic faith

Bishop Dewane recalled for his ‘remarkable legacy of faithful service’ to Church

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Retired Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, who led the southwest Florida diocese for nearly 20 years before his retirement in May, died Oct. 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was 76.

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Deacon Carlos Morales, who served Church in Puerto Rico and Maryland, dies at 82

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Deacon Carlos Morales, whose ministry included work as a university dean of students, radio host and author, and who accompanied thousands of people in their faith, died of liver cancer Sept. 22 in Edgewood. He was 82.

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