Local News

Annual Blue Mass honors first responders

STEUBENVILLE -- The annual Blue Mass offered on Sunday at St. Peter Church honored Ohio Valley police, firefighters and EMTs for their service, remembering also those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

A group of local law enforcement and first responders gathered outside the church for a photo underneath a large U.S. flag, held high by an engine from the Steubenville Fire Department. Afterward, they processed up the aisle as bagpipes were played by Derrick Sullivan of the East Liverpool Fire Department. Later, they received a blessing from the Mass's celebrant, Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of the Diocese of Steubenville, who also blessed service members' emergency vehicles parked outside.

The beginning of the Mass had the names of 18 local police and firefighters killed on duty read aloud by Patrolman Eric Hart of the Steubenville Police Department, one of the event's organizers. A bell was tolled in remembrance after each name was read.

Monforton, who has two first responder family members, said of the Mass, "For me, it's a sign of gratitude on behalf of the church for our first responders. ... It's a sign of gratitude to bless (the first responders) because locations where people are running away from, they're running into."

The diocese has been hosting the Blue Mass officially since 2011, Monforton said. This year's Mass took place a day before the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including those of first responders who died trying to save victims.

Alexandra Hart, co-organizer of the Blue Mass with her husband, Patrolman Hart, said she first saw Blue Mass celebrations occurring in other U.S. areas, particularly Washington, D.C. She thought it would be beneficial for the area, so she spoke with the bishop, who was "thrilled to host it."

The Blue Masses organized by the Harts predated Monforton, originally being celebrated during the month of May's National Police Week -- by Monsignor George Yontz, former pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church -- in 2009 and focusing on honoring police, Hart said. When the 10th anniversary of 9/11 occurred, the Mass was expanded to include firefighters and EMTs, and the Mass has been scheduled around the anniversary ever since.

Hart said, "It means a tremendous deal to us to be able to share our faith, to honor and to recognize first responders in our area who died in the line of duty (and) those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

"It brings about a sense of community, appreciation and encouragement of the officers and their families and an opportunity to ask for God's blessing upon our first responders because it's a tough job."

Taps was played on the trumpet by Rick Hicks before the Mass in remembrance of first responders who died during the 9/11 attacks, which elicited a salute from the first responders standing in the church's first few rows.

During Monforton's homily to the congregation, he drew a connection between first responders' responsibilities and the topic of Sunday's scripture reading from the Book of Ezekiel, which says, "You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel."

"(It's) a reminder that you are watchmen," Monforton said, "reminding us that our attentiveness to our faith is 24/7."

After the Mass, attending first responders received a commemorative gift donated by Nelson Fine Art and Gifts. The church's banquet hall held a reception, with a cake donated by Jason Kopras of J.K. Auto Glass and hosted by St. Peter's Catholic Women's Club.

Patrolman Hart was grateful for all who made the Blue Mass possible, including the Rev. Timothy Huffman, pastor of St. Peter, for hosting, and Scott Campbell of M&M True Value Hardware for his funding of the event. The Blue Mass has only missed two years since they began hosting it, Hart said, the first time in 2012 due to the death of Yontz and the second in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's on our hearts to honor (first responders)," Hart said, "for the sacrifices they make every day for the communities they serve and, also, to honor their families. The families sacrifice just as much as them simply because first responders miss important events (because) they work long hours.

"It's just a small way for us to try to honor them," said Hart, a who has served in the Steubenville Police Department for 24 years.

Sgt. Matthew Bailey of the Steubenville Police Department was the gift bearer for the Mass, alongside his family. Bailey said this was his eighth time coming to the Blue Mass.

"I think it's special that they do this for us," Bailey said. "When they do this around Sept. 11, I think of all the officers, firefighters and emergency personnel who lost their lives and how it affected their families. ... To see the support ... is really special."

Bailey said he appreciates the organization efforts of Patrolman Hart, who he has worked with in the department for nine years.

Steubenville City Manager Jim Mavromatis, who served 34 years in law enforcement, said he has been attending the Blue Masses since they began, and he is glad to see civilians' support of law enforcement at the event as well.

"My goal as the city manager is to make sure we have safety here in this city," Mavromatis said. "I think that we do a remarkable job with the manpower that we have right now. ... We have a good, safe city. You're never going to stop crime, ... but this city is a safe city."

John and Alice Dowdell, both of the Tiltonsville Fire Department, have 17 years in fire and EMS and have been coming to the Blue Masses every year.

"It's an honor to serve my community through EMS," said Alice Dowdell, who retired from nursing to join the fire department. "I love my community, and that's why I do it."

Sister Katherine Caldwell, T.O.R., said she was tearing up as the church prayed for those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

"I'm just so grateful for their service and the ways that they seek to protect and to help," Caldwell said.

Julie Robbins, who attended the Mass, said the event has a special place in her heart because of the seven firefighters -- including three former fire chiefs -- and one police officer she has in her family. Robbins said she is proud of her first responder family members and proud of St. Peter Church for honoring them.

"Every time I hear a siren," Robbins added, "I say a Hail Mary -- I pray for whoever's involved."