Call to Prayer: Police officers gather to worship at Blue Mass
By Chris Donahue
Staff writer
BRIDGEWATER — Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski encouraged more than 300 police officers from numerous faith traditions to use the power of prayer to help them through the challenges of their vocation at the seventh annual Blue Mass at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church Oct. 7.
“Those who work in law enforcement have a very difficult job,” said Bishop Bootkoski, principal celebrant and homilist. “To keep the delicate balance in your lives you have to really work at it because you see the best in society and you see the worst in society.”
The Mass honors all law enforcement officials who work or reside in the diocese, which serves Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon and Warren counties.
Priests from the Diocese of Metuchen concelebrated and deacons assisted.
Because the Mass was held on the feast of the Holy Rosary, Bishop Bootkoski extolled the benefits of that devotion because it can serve to both remind those who pray it the different aspects of the lives of Jesus and Mary and reduce stress.
The bishop also noted that beads are used by many cultures and faith traditions to pray to God.
To illustrate the importance of a strong spiritual life, Bishop Bootkoski cited the Gospel (Lk 10:40-42), in which Jesus tells Martha, “...you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Bishop Bootkoski said, “Whether you are police or priests, lay person, mother or father, whatever your role in life is, there is always that need to pull away, to pull back and to reflect.
“I pray that reflection in your life will always be there because it will help you in your vocation. I pray that you realize how important it is to enter into a relationship with the living God no matter how you worship.
“And, if you are Catholic, think about the rosary. It is calming, it is prayerful and it might help you in a difficult situation. God bless you.”
After Communion, Richard Borden, chief of police of the Bridgewater Police Department and a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, led the Policeman’s Prayer.
A bell was rung in memory of Officer Thomas Raji of the Perth Amboy Police Department, Lt. Christopher Zerby of the North Brunswick Police Department, and Officer Kenneth Santucci of the Belleville Police Department, who died in the line of duty in the past year.
Bishop Bootkoski then presented a statue of St. Michael, the patron saint of police officers, to the families of Raji and Zerby, who reside in the diocese.
After the Mass, a New Jersey State Police helicopter did a flyover as Bishop Bootkoski blessed the ranks of law enforcement officers in the parking lot.
Deacon Robert Bonfante Sr., one of the three deacons who assisted at the Mass, said praying the rosary twice each day helps him in his role as a captain with the Old Bridge Police Department.
“It gives me a lot of consolation,” said Deacon Bonfante, who serves at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge. “You see one side of people as a deacon doing religious things for the church and a total other side of people in law enforcement; a side you would never think existed. You can get cynical after a while and think all people are bad, but then you see them in church and it is a good offset.”
Borden, a member of St. Bernard Parish, said his faith is an essential part of his daily life.
“These are difficult days and you sort of stay grounded when you do have some type of faith, regardless of what denomination,” Borden said. “You can use it when you are not feeling well. It draws the goodness out of you. It is a basic core for me and comes in very handy sometimes.”
The tribute to the fallen officers was also a reminder of how dangerous working in law enforcement can be, Borden added.
“It can happen any time,” he said. “You sometimes take the routine things for granted in this job and you can’t. That’s why every day you have to live the best you can and use whatever gets you through that, whether it is your faith, your values or your morals.”
Deputy Chief Joseph Mannucci of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said he prays every day for strength and guidance.
“I have to go these Masses,” said Mannucci, a member of St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge. “I bleed the same blue as every law enforcement officer does.”
Lt. Paul Tanko of the Rutgers University Police Department, New Brunswick, said he prays every day just before he starts a shift. He also tries to pray the rosary with his family every night.
“I try to see Christ in everybody, whether it is a co-worker or the public. It is kind of a reminder that we are all God’s children,” Tanko said.