Long Branch Police Department members were recently acknowledged during Mass in St. Michael Church for dedication to their work, community and public safety. 

Father John Butler, pastor, noted that the LBPD and the City of Long Branch “have been extremely supportive of our parish and have been good neighbors in numerous respects.” 

During the Mass, which was celebrated May 16, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, prayers were offered for the safety and perseverance of the officers as well as for the repose of the souls of LBPD members who have died in the line of duty over the years. 

“The Ascension of Jesus is a foreshadowing of our own destiny,” Father Butler said in his homily. “Beyond the stars in the universe above, beyond the clouds in the sky … [Jesus] is now seated at the right hand of the Father and that is where he is calling us to be. Jesus desires nothing more than for all of us to be right there with him forever and ever.” 

The Ascension of Jesus, Father Butler continued, is about the gift and the virtue of hope, “one simple little word – hope.” 

“God raised Jesus from the dead on Easter Sunday and now Jesus is raised by God to heaven [at the Ascension]. And because Jesus is risen, we have hope that we, too, will rise and that one day heaven will be our home, our eternal prize, our eternal reward.” 

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Participating in the Mass were bagpiper Michael Callahan, who led the Entrance Procession playing “Here I Am Lord”;  a contingent of uniformed officers; Cpl. Kim Leavy, a parishioner who read the Prayers of the Faithful, and Captain Jorge Silverio, who presented the gifts along with his wife and three children.

About 60 officers were present, along with their family members, as well as Long Branch Mayor John Pallone; Domingos Saldida, director of public safety, and Cpt. Frank Rizzuto and Lt. John Evangelho, both of the LBPD. 

At the end of the Mass, each officer received a blessed coin bearing the image of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of police officers. 

The Mass was celebrated in conjunction with National Police Week, which was observed May 9-15. 

Addressing the officers, Father Butler first extended greetings on behalf of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who sent his regards and prayers, then noted that it is the Bishop’s hope that the annual Blue Mass, which was canceled for 2020 and 2021 by the Blue Mass Committee due to coronavirus concerns, would return in 2022.

“Let’s get back with our Bishop and to our Cathedral in Trenton,” he said. Reminding the officers of how they had responded to a call to pursue a vocation of service, Father Butler thanked them for their continued support of the parish and the Long Branch community. 

“May the Good Lord continue to bless you and protect you and bring you home safely at the conclusion of each and every day,” he said. 

“Thank you for protecting us and for serving us. Thank you for saying yes to your vocation and to your calling.”