Blue Mass to honor those in public service fields 'who never complain'

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read

LAFAYETTE, Ind. − As part of an annual national tradition to hold a mass in honor of those employed in the public service field, St. Mary's Cathedral will be hosting this "Blue Mass" at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, at the church, 1207 Columbia St., Lafayette.

The color blue is symbolic of the typically blue uniforms that are predominantly used in the public service field. EMS personnel, firefighters, police and more will all be honored at this event.

In this file photo, Patrolman Marcus Slifer of West Lafayette Police Department wears a black band over his badge during the Police Officer Memorial Service Tuesday, May 15, 2018, on Memorial Island in Columbian Park.
In this file photo, Patrolman Marcus Slifer of West Lafayette Police Department wears a black band over his badge during the Police Officer Memorial Service Tuesday, May 15, 2018, on Memorial Island in Columbian Park.

According to a release from the church, "All those the public service field are invited to attend along with their families.  Organizations that will be represented include:

  • Lafayette Fire Department

  • West Lafayette Fire Department

  • Various Township Fire Departments

  • Purdue Fire Department

  • Monticello Fire Department

  • Lafayette Police Department

  • West Lafayette Police Department

  • Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department

  • Indiana State Police

  • Purdue Police Department

  • Monticello Police Department

  • EMS personnel and dispatchers

  • Tippecanoe Emergency Management along with several Honor Guard contingents"

David Tate, chaplain for the Lafayette Fire Department, Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department and Wabash Township Fire Department and organizer of this Blue Mass, explained the importance of honoring those in the public service field with a service such as this, especially after his time spent with members in the field.

"The more I rode along with these people, I was taken back by two very distinct things immediately," Tate said. "One was the amount of just absolute professionalism that I saw in every fire group I was with and every law enforcement, correction officer, bailiff (and) jail commander. Absolute professionalism.

"The second thing that I noticed is that we need to pay a little bit more honor to these people who never complain about the time they serve. They spend countless hours away from their family. I never heard one person, in all the hours, multitudes of hours I've spent with these people, I never heard one person complain about the work or the hours."

Bishop Doherty will be presiding and Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski and West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis will provide readings. Members of the public service field are asked to wear the uniforms of their service at the mass.

The Blue Mass will take place at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday at St. Mary's Cathedral on Columbia Street.

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Blue Mass to honor those in public service fields