Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will serve as principal celebrant at the Diocese of Metuchen’s 14th annual Blue Mass to be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. All are welcome.
The Mass honors all active, retired and deceased law enforcement officials from Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties — the four counties served by the diocese. Federal, state, county and local police, sheriff and corrections departments, along with members of the Port Authority Police Department, are invited to participate.
This year, along with remembering fallen brethren from past years, the diocese will pay special tribute to Trooper Anthony Raspa, 24, who lost his life in the line of duty in May. Raspa was a lifelong resident of Highland Park and served with the New Jersey State Police since graduating from the 152nd trooper class in October 2013.
In the diocese, Raspa was a communicant of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset. Also, he attended St. Matthias School and Bishop George Ahr High School, Edison. As part of the tribute to Raspa, the N.J. State Police will serve as the host agency of the Blue Mass. A lunch reception will follow in the community room beneath the church.
For more information, visit http://diometuchen.org/2015-blue-mass or call 732-562-2463.