Archdiocese of Newark Celebrates Annual Blue Mass Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick will be the principal celebrant at the 5th Annual Blue Mass honoring police officers killed in the line of duty this past year. The Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday, November 5, 1998 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. The Mass will honor Federal, State, County, City, Local and Institutional law enforcement officers from throughout the Archdiocese. Last year 1,500 police officers and their friends and family from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties attended the Mass. Chairperson of the Blue Mass Organizing Committee, Captain Joseph Rotunda of the Belleville Police Department, said the Archdiocese "anticipates a large turn out again this year." Vicar for Pastoral Life and a Mass organizer for the last nine years, Msgr. Louis Fimiani, said the Mass will remember those officers slain in the line of duty. "It is a show of our support and gratitude to the many men and women who have dedicated their lives for the safety of all." Sgt. Patrick King of the Long Branch Police Department and Police Officer Dewey Sherbo of the Newark Police Department were the two officers who died in the line of duty since last year's Mass on November 6. Sgt. King, 45 years old at the time of death, was fatally shot while on duty on November 21, 1997. He joined the police force on April 15, 1976 and was awarded a Medal of Valor by the City of Long Branch in 1977. The medal was awarded after he ran into the ocean and saved the life of a drowning priest. He was the most highly decorated police officer in the history of Long Branch. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, 46, and their sons, Patrick, 13, and Todd, 11. Police Officer Sherbo joined the Newark Police Department in March of 1994. He died from injuries sustained during a car chase through Branch Brook Park, Newark, on November 9, 1997. Officer Sherbo was 31 years old at the time of death. He is survived by his wife, Donna Marie, 33, and their two children, Joseph, 5, and Kaitlin, 3. Police Chaplains from throughout the Archdiocese will also be honored for their work in support of law enforcement officers. Auxiliary Bishop of Newark Charles J. McDonnell and Msgr. Fimiani will also be among those honored during the Mass for their ongoing and dedicated support of law enforcement. The Mass will be followed by a luncheon at the Rink in Branch Brook Park. Tickets to the luncheon are $20. For more information call Captain Rotunda at (973) 450-3360.
|
