September 15, 2010

Honoring first responders

On the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City; Shanksville, Pa., and on the Pentagon just outside Washington, faithful gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver for the annual Blue Mass. 

Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley was the main celebrant of the afternoon liturgy, which regularly attracts several hundred first responders, including police officers, firefighters and emergency response personnel. 

Father Sean McGrath, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton, and a police chaplain with the Denver Police Department, was the homilist.  A police chaplain for the last six years, Father McGrath said it’s an honor to be journeying with these men and women on the vocation God has called them to.

“During the Mass I address myself to the first responders and compare them to the first responders of Christ,” he told the Denver Catholic Register. “The disciples who stepped up and came forward, not sure if they were worthy or even qualified to do what they were called to do.”

Father McGrath said the fact that the Mass was celebrated on the actual anniversary of 9/11 gave added meaning to this year’s event.