By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer

The Mass took on added significance when Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, principal celebrant and homilist, told the approximately 200 police officers that two officers in Galloway Township had been shot earlier in the day.

The officers, who were joined in celebrating the Mass along with family, friends, clergy and sixth, seventh and eighth graders from St. Matthew School, were told by the bishop that their chosen career is "an inspiring, meaningful and much-needed vocation — a way of life."

The Mass was held on the feast of St. Michael and All the Archangels. The bishop said like Michael, who is the patron saint of police officers, they are constantly battling to overcome evil.

Bishop Bootkoski told congregants that he got a crash course on how difficult and rewarding being a police officer is shortly after he was ordained as a priest in 1967. He said he accepted an offer to ride in a police car on the night shift with a friend who was a police officer in Bloomfield.

"I became so very much aware of the danger that you’re in and the good that you do and how you reach out to so many people in so many wonderful ways," the bishop remarked.

Citing the presence of the officers’ relatives, Bishop Bootkoski said, "There is so much goodness here and we ask God to bless not only you, but your families."

"Thank you for being there for us, for all that you do, for all that you are. May God bless you," he concluded.

Edward Costello, chief of the Edison Police Department, said he often draws strength from his Catholic faith to do his job. Costello said he graduated from St. Matthew School; St. Joseph High School, Metuchen, and Seton Hall University Law School, South Orange. Costello said his faith is with him at all times.

"It’s such a personal matter that I can’t speak for everyone, but you’ve always heard that in war there are no atheists in foxholes," Costello said. "I would hope that there would never be an atheist in a combat situation as a police officer."

Raymond Helge, a 17-year veteran with the Monroe Township Police Department, said he is a Lutheran who has begun attending Mass with his wife because she is returning to her Catholic roots.

Helge, who attended the Blue Mass for the first time, said he relies heavily on prayer and Jesus Christ to get through some tough times on the job. He also said he enjoyed the Blue Mass so much he plans to attend again next year.