St. Timothy Church – The Blue Mass 2023

Brother Knights,

Our brothers at St. Timothy Parish host the annual Blue Mass. They’re in
need of 2 – 3 greeters to help with the Mass. Please see the following
email for more details. If available, please contact Brother Mark Gideon
(copied).

*“Let us all join together to honor our police, firefighters, and emergency
medical services, to ask for God’s blessing, to keep them safe, and to
guide them in their duties.”*

In Christ,

Wayne

Would each of you be willing to be a greeter at the 2023 Blue Mass on
Monday, September 11th at 5:00 p.m.? Greeters should be at the Church no
later than 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.

Thank you for your assistance and participation at the Blue Mass in past
years. And many thanks in advance for your help this year, if you are
available to participate. Thank you.

Your help is needed, as follows:

1. Please be at the front doors of the church no later than 3:30 or
3:45 to be ready to welcome all attendees and guests until 5:00 p.m. when
the Blue Mass begins. All greeters should wear suit and tie. We’re
looking to show as much helpfulness and hospitality to our guests and all
those attending the Blue Mass as possible!

2. The ushers and greeters are asked to assist our photographer and
fellow Knight (Larry Pishitelli) immediately after Mass. The photography
will occur in the lower level parking lot as last year. Larry needs help
coordinating events after Mass i.e. inviting / assembling clergy, police,
fire, sheriff, patrol, knights, and other groups to be photographed. Our
photographer has a big job on his hands after Mass and needs our help to
get photography done quickly! All of the honor guards leave their
formation quickly. We need someone to remind the leader of each of the
groups to please keep their group in formation for a group picture. Larry
will take the picture of the bishop and clergy first, with the honor guards
at attention beside them. Then after the clergy leaves, he will do the
individual groups: K of C, Columbus Police, Columbus Fire, Sheriff,
Patrol, etc. A step ladder will be available in the Parish Center for use
by Larry Pishitelli for photography.

St. Timothy Scouts will be assisting with parking and getting people to the
church. Once in the church, ushers will providing Worship Aids and
assisting with seating.

Thanking you in advance!

-Mark

Mark R. Gideon

St. Timothy Knights of Columbus Council No. 14345

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*THE BLUE MASS*, Monday, September 11th at 5:00 p.m.

St. Timothy Church, 1088 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43220

St. Timothy Church and St. Timothy Knights of Columbus Council 14345 will
host The Blue Mass on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The Blue
Mass is an opportunity to honor and pray for all active, retired and
deceased police, firefighters, and emergency medical services. In addition,
it is an occasion to remember the 2,973 who lost their lives in the Sept.
11, 2001 terrorist attacks. All active and retired police, fire, and
emergency medical services in the greater Columbus area, and their families
are invited. The Celebrant and Homilist for The Blue Mass will be The Most
Reverend Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of Columbus. *Let us all join together
to honor our police, firefighters, and emergency medical services, to ask
for God’s blessing, to keep them safe, and to guide them in their duties.
Thank you.*

Best Regards,

Mark R. Gideon

St. Timothy Knights of Columbus Council No. 14345

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*History of the Blue Mass*

The Blue Mass dates back to 1934 in Washington, D.C. Rev. Thomas Dade from
the Archdiocese of Baltimore (Maryland) initiated the Catholic Police and
Firemen’s Society while stationed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in
Washington, D.C. About 1,100 police and firemen dressed in blue uniforms
marched into St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for the celebration of the First
Blue Mass on September 29th, 1934. The Blue Mass has been a common
tradition in the Northeast United States, but it has more recently been
extended throughout the country particularly in the wake of September 11th,
2001. The Blue Mass honors and recognizes the sacrifice of police,
firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical crews, all members of the
public safety community and those who have given their lives in service to
their communities. The name of the Blue Mass evolved from the predominantly
blue-colored uniforms of police officers, firefighters and emergency
personnel. Similar Blue Masses have been organized by Knights of Columbus
Councils nationwide. St. Timothy Knights of Columbus Council 14345 is
pleased to bring the tradition of the Blue Mass to Columbus.
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