Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

On September 18, the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Kentucky hosted a Blue Mass to honor first responders. The event was attended by children from St. Joseph School and uniformed public safety personnel, including law enforcement officers, emergency medical crews, and members of the public safety committee.

The Blue Mass is traditionally held annually in Louisville, but this year the Archdiocese of Louisville organized two such events. The second Blue Mass is scheduled for September 29 at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Jeffersontown.

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre addressed those gathered, explaining that the archdiocese “wanted to reach out to the southern part of the archdiocese to express our prayer and support for them and also call down God’s blessing upon them.” He added, “The Blue Mass is an annual expression of our great, great thanks to you and of our support in all that you do. Through this Mass, we welcome all of our first responders, those who seek after the common good for the community in emergency situations.”

Deacon Greg Gitschier from St. Patrick Church delivered the homily during the service. As a retired police officer and secret service member who now serves as a chaplain with Louisville Metro Police Department, he said, “I lived the life that many of you are living right now.” Addressing schoolchildren present at the ceremony, Gitschier noted: “You have peacemakers sitting here in front of you,” referring to first responders seated at the front of the church.

He continued by emphasizing their role: “Every moment of every day, the people in front of you stand by to come to your aid. The Blue Mass is an occasion to confirm our appreciation for the women and men who are set with the task to get between us and harm.” Gitschier also asked attendees “to remember all first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

At closing, Archbishop Fabre encouraged students “to think and pray” about careers as first responders.

Among those attending was Timothy Elmore—a parishioner at St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral and employee with Jeffersontown Fire/EMS—who described how his faith connects with his work: For Elmore, his faith and career "go hand-in-hand" as he seeks "to live a life of service." He added that public service workers often meet people during difficult times when "a few kind words make a huge difference."

The upcoming second Blue Mass will feature Father Jeffery Shooner—vicar general for the Archdiocese of Louisville—as preacher.