Mass celebrated for injured hero firefighter
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Msgr. John K. Dermond, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, celebrated Mass in Spanish and English Feb. 13 for the healing of Manny Rivera, a Trenton firefighter who is in critical care due to injuries he suffered after rescuing someone from a burning house.
“We all want to do something that helps,” said Msgr. Dermond. “Wherever you are, you can pray for him. We pray for all those who risk their lives for our safety and security.”
Around 400 family and friends of Rivera attended, who wished to show their support for Rivera and his loved ones. “When you work in this kind of service, you always have more than one family,” said Msgr. Dermond.
Msgr. James Innocenzi, pastor of St. George Parish, Titusville, chaplain to Trenton firefighters, was a concelebrant at the Mass.
“Jesus’ miracles are miracles of the sick,” said Msgr. Dermond, reflecting on the Gospel reading and the World Day of Prayer for the Sick observed Feb. 11.
“Manny is a genuine good guy, always wanting to do a good job, always thinking about his family,” said John Panacek, one of Rivera’s first captains.
“We gathered tonight to get the power of God to help Manny, to get graces for everyone in attendance and for the whole fire department, so whenever we go out the door we have the power of Christ watching our back,” said Panacek.
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Msgr. John K. Dermond, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, celebrated Mass in Spanish and English Feb. 13 for the healing of Manny Rivera, a Trenton firefighter who is in critical care due to injuries he suffered after rescuing someone from a burning house.
“We all want to do something that helps,” said Msgr. Dermond. “Wherever you are, you can pray for him. We pray for all those who risk their lives for our safety and security.”
Around 400 family and friends of Rivera attended, who wished to show their support for Rivera and his loved ones. “When you work in this kind of service, you always have more than one family,” said Msgr. Dermond.
Msgr. James Innocenzi, pastor of St. George Parish, Titusville, chaplain to Trenton firefighters, was a concelebrant at the Mass.
“Jesus’ miracles are miracles of the sick,” said Msgr. Dermond, reflecting on the Gospel reading and the World Day of Prayer for the Sick observed Feb. 11.
“Manny is a genuine good guy, always wanting to do a good job, always thinking about his family,” said John Panacek, one of Rivera’s first captains.
“We gathered tonight to get the power of God to help Manny, to get graces for everyone in attendance and for the whole fire department, so whenever we go out the door we have the power of Christ watching our back,” said Panacek.
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