Jubilee for Law Enforcement honors fallen heroes (Photos and Video)
The Archdiocese of Newark honored active, retired, and deceased New Jersey law enforcement personnel at the 32nd Annual Blue Mass on Oct. 30 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. The Mass was also celebrated as the Jubilee for Law Enforcement as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Civic leaders joined hundreds of New Jersey law enforcement officials and their loved ones for a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark.
Police honor guard units, bagpipers, drummers, and flag bearers processed into the cathedral to begin the Jubilee celebration. During the solemn liturgy, worshippers prayed for seven law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
Those remembered in the Mass were: Sergeant Joseph Azcona of the Newark Police Department; Sheriff’s Officer Justin Rivera of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office; Major Jeffrey A. Burke of the New Jersey State Police; Sergeant James J. Puhalski of the New Jersey State Police; Sergeant Steven E. Blecki of the Spring Lake Police Department; SCPO Erick J. Whitaker of the New Jersey Department of Corrections; and Corporal Raymond Kuuchi of the Veterans Affairs Police.
In his homily, Cardinal Tobin thanked the gathered police and first responders for embodying what Jesus proclaimed was the greatest love of all — to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. He also encouraged them to resist the temptation of developing a “war-like spirit” and being corrupted by the “illusion of power.” Instead, the cardinal said they should never lose sight of their mission, which is to be a “constant defender of life.”
“Be courageous witnesses to the love of the Creator, who wants us to live as sisters and brothers,” Cardinal Tobin said. “Together, let us set out to be artisans of a new era of peace, justice, and fraternity.”
You can watch video highlights of the 32nd Annual Blue Mass below:
To view more photos of the event, click HERE.
Featured image: Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin greeted officers of the New Jersey State Police and other law enforcement officials attending the Blue Mass. (Photo by Julio Eduardo Herrera / Archdiocese of Newark)
