Story, photos by Dennis Kellogg
LINCOLN (SNR) - Law enforcement, fire and rescue, and corrections personnel were thanked and honored as part of the annual Blue Mass at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln Sept. 11.
Those Nebraska first responders who died in the past year were remembered, as were the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Bishop James Conley presided at the Mass. He prayed for all first responders and in his homily said all should have hearts filled with gratitude for the sacrifices made by the men and women who answered God’s call to serve and protect.
“I believe it is a call, a vocation, to serve us, to protect us and to watch over us,” Bishop Conley said.
He shared his own experience of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, noting he was working in Rome at the time and immediately turned on the television to watch news reports when he learned of what was happening back in the United States.
“It was surreal. This was a movie. Surely this isn’t happening,” he said. “It was true. The unthinkable was true.” He went on to say the country changed forever and Americans “lost our innocence” on that day.
Bishop Conley said as people reflect on that day, we need to understand the history of humanity has to do with sin and we all suffer from this weakness, this misguided view of the world. But, he added, “our God is a God of love, compassion, mercy and justice. He looks after us. He cares for us. He provides for us and He has given us promises that if we follow His way and His law, that He will reward us in this life and forever more in heaven. That’s what we believe as Catholics, as Christians.”
Regarding those who are called to protect us as first responders, Bishop Conley said, “We know there is a lot of evil in the world... but God sends us people to protect us and watch over us and to guide us and they are with us and we are with them. You are not alone. We support you. We depend on you. We care for you and we honor you because we need you.”
Bishop Conley pointed out the Church also holds special Masses to honor healthcare workers and all those who work to uphold the law including judges and politicians. He said all of these people are given to us by God “so we can live lives of mutual respect and dignity, and our society can be ordered to the good.”
“(We) thank those who serve us and thank and honor those who take their lives into their own hands when they risk going into a burning building or to a dangerous situation where there is gunfire and they risk their lives, they are willing to lay down their lives to save us and protect us.”
Several members of the groups of first responders being honored were in attendance and read the names of those in law enforcement who lost their lives in the past year. Members of the Knights of Columbus also participated in the Mass.
