Jubilee Blue Mass offers time to honor, pray for law enforcement personnel
April 3, 2025 at 2:28 p.m.
Responding to Pope Francis’s call to include a celebration of police, members of law enforcement and first responders during the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Trenton celebrated a special Mass for those who work to keep safe their communities throughout Central Jersey.
“We come together in gratitude, prayer and remembrance, asking for God’s continued strength and protection upon them,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Diocese’s Jubilee Blue Mass April 1 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
As Mass began, hundreds of officers – representing scores of departments and associations throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties and beyond – filed into the Co-Cathedral. A bagpipe and drum corps added to the pageantry, and the American flag as well as flags representing various departments were placed in stands near the altar.
‘Be Courageous Witnesses’
Bishop O’Connell began his homily by noting that this year’s annual Blue Mass, the Diocese’s 23rd, “takes on a special character, because it is celebrated during a Jubilee Year, a Holy Year of joy, pilgrimage, forgiveness of sins and spiritual renewal proclaimed by the Church every 25 years.
“When he announced this Jubilee Year, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, placed on the schedule of events that would unfold during the year a special celebration for police, members of law enforcement and first responders,” Bishop O’Connell said.
“[The Pope] blessed all these public servants, urging them to ‘be courageous witnesses of the love of God our Father, who wants us all to be brothers and sisters’ and to be ‘artisans of a new era of peace, justice and fraternity.’”
Bishop O’Connell linked the oath taken by law enforcement officers to the words of the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah: “Here am I. Send me!”
“It is a response of courage, of selflessness and of duty. Officers do not merely wear the uniform and the badge, they carry a vocation, a sacred calling to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable and bring peace where there is disorder,” he said. “Yet, his calling is not without sacrifice. Each day brings uncertainty, and each shift demands both strength and compassion.”
Bishop O’Connell said serving in law enforcement today means navigating a world filled with complexity, moral challenges and hostility. “Officers stand in the gap between chaos and order, between harm and safety ... a burden not easily carried, and it is why faith is essential,” he said.
“The justice you seek is not merely legal – it is rooted in the divine justice of God proclaimed by all the religions and religious traditions represented here in your number. The peace you provide is not just societal – it reflects Christ, the Prince of Peace, it reflects each and all our faiths. And the sacrifices you make do not go unnoticed by the Lord, our God, who himself bore the greatest burden for the sake of others.”
A Duty to Support Officers
Members of law enforcement listen to Bishop O’Connell’s words of encouragement during the April 1 Jubilee Blue Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral.Michael Ehrmann
Bishop O’Connell reminded those present that “as a community, we have a duty to support and pray for those who serve. We pray for their protection, for wisdom in every decision, and for peace in their hearts as they carry out their duties. We remember especially those ... who have given their lives in the line of duty. Their names are written ... in the very heart of God ... May they rest in peace and their families take comfort in their memory.”
After Communion, the congregation was quiet as a reader proclaimed the names of nine officers who lost their lives because of their service; several died from 9/11-related illnesses. A family member or representative from their department was presented with a memorial shadowbox, showing an image of the exterior of the Co-Cathedral with two medallions placed at the bottom. One medallion commemorated the 2025 Blue Mass and the other was of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of law enforcement personnel.
Those memorialized were Sgt. Steven Blecki, S.C.P.O. Erick Whitaker, Sgt. James J. Puhalski, Ofc. Anthony J. Mezzacappa Jr., Trooper II Marcellus E. Bethea, Cpl. Raymond Kuuchi, Maj. Jeffrey A. Burke, Capt. John M. Collins and Sgt. Joseph Azcona.
Following Mass and a flyover by a State Police helicopter, Bishop O’Connell blessed the motorcycles of law enforcement personnel.
Prayerful Supporters
A memorial shadowbox is presented to a member of law enforcement representing one of nine families who lost a loved one as a result of their service.Michael Ehrmann
After reflecting on the importance of praying for the safety of “dedicated people,” Blue Mass attendee and Co-Cathedral parishioner Judy Friedmann noted, “They know what to do at all times,” something in which she takes great comfort.
For Officer Vincent Rustico of the Brick Township Police Department, attending the Blue Mass for the first time was especially meaningful because it was an event that brought together “my career and my Catholic faith,” he said, noting that he is a member of the town’s Visitation Parish.
“I find it unifying” to see officers from different communities coming together with the general public, said Robert Faubel, a retired police officer from Danbury, Conn., now an N.J. law enforcement chaplain. “In today’s world, with all the violence and the division in our country, it’s necessary that the general public physically and outwardly show their support for law enforcement,” said Faubel, who resides in Hamilton and is affiliated with Lacey Christian Assembly in Forked River.
Picking up on the Jubilee theme of hope, Faubel added that, from his perspective as a chaplain, “a police officer’s job is to fight evil. My job is to show hope for them, to help them in their ability every day,” he said, then added that he created a hope acronym – “Helping Officers Persevere Everyday.”
“That’s what I do and why I’m here,” he said.
Bishop O’Connell blesses the congregation after Mass, accompanied by his secretary Father Jean Felicien.Michael Ehrmann
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Homily for the Jubilee Blue Mass for the Diocese of Trenton
Tuesday, April 08, 2025
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Events
Responding to Pope Francis’s call to include a celebration of police, members of law enforcement and first responders during the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Trenton celebrated a special Mass for those who work to keep safe their communities throughout Central Jersey.
“We come together in gratitude, prayer and remembrance, asking for God’s continued strength and protection upon them,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Diocese’s Jubilee Blue Mass April 1 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
As Mass began, hundreds of officers – representing scores of departments and associations throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties and beyond – filed into the Co-Cathedral. A bagpipe and drum corps added to the pageantry, and the American flag as well as flags representing various departments were placed in stands near the altar.
‘Be Courageous Witnesses’
Bishop O’Connell began his homily by noting that this year’s annual Blue Mass, the Diocese’s 23rd, “takes on a special character, because it is celebrated during a Jubilee Year, a Holy Year of joy, pilgrimage, forgiveness of sins and spiritual renewal proclaimed by the Church every 25 years.
“When he announced this Jubilee Year, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, placed on the schedule of events that would unfold during the year a special celebration for police, members of law enforcement and first responders,” Bishop O’Connell said.
“[The Pope] blessed all these public servants, urging them to ‘be courageous witnesses of the love of God our Father, who wants us all to be brothers and sisters’ and to be ‘artisans of a new era of peace, justice and fraternity.’”
Bishop O’Connell linked the oath taken by law enforcement officers to the words of the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah: “Here am I. Send me!”
“It is a response of courage, of selflessness and of duty. Officers do not merely wear the uniform and the badge, they carry a vocation, a sacred calling to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable and bring peace where there is disorder,” he said. “Yet, his calling is not without sacrifice. Each day brings uncertainty, and each shift demands both strength and compassion.”
Bishop O’Connell said serving in law enforcement today means navigating a world filled with complexity, moral challenges and hostility. “Officers stand in the gap between chaos and order, between harm and safety ... a burden not easily carried, and it is why faith is essential,” he said.
“The justice you seek is not merely legal – it is rooted in the divine justice of God proclaimed by all the religions and religious traditions represented here in your number. The peace you provide is not just societal – it reflects Christ, the Prince of Peace, it reflects each and all our faiths. And the sacrifices you make do not go unnoticed by the Lord, our God, who himself bore the greatest burden for the sake of others.”
A Duty to Support Officers
Members of law enforcement listen to Bishop O’Connell’s words of encouragement during the April 1 Jubilee Blue Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral.Michael Ehrmann
Bishop O’Connell reminded those present that “as a community, we have a duty to support and pray for those who serve. We pray for their protection, for wisdom in every decision, and for peace in their hearts as they carry out their duties. We remember especially those ... who have given their lives in the line of duty. Their names are written ... in the very heart of God ... May they rest in peace and their families take comfort in their memory.”
After Communion, the congregation was quiet as a reader proclaimed the names of nine officers who lost their lives because of their service; several died from 9/11-related illnesses. A family member or representative from their department was presented with a memorial shadowbox, showing an image of the exterior of the Co-Cathedral with two medallions placed at the bottom. One medallion commemorated the 2025 Blue Mass and the other was of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of law enforcement personnel.
Those memorialized were Sgt. Steven Blecki, S.C.P.O. Erick Whitaker, Sgt. James J. Puhalski, Ofc. Anthony J. Mezzacappa Jr., Trooper II Marcellus E. Bethea, Cpl. Raymond Kuuchi, Maj. Jeffrey A. Burke, Capt. John M. Collins and Sgt. Joseph Azcona.
Following Mass and a flyover by a State Police helicopter, Bishop O’Connell blessed the motorcycles of law enforcement personnel.
Prayerful Supporters
A memorial shadowbox is presented to a member of law enforcement representing one of nine families who lost a loved one as a result of their service.Michael Ehrmann
After reflecting on the importance of praying for the safety of “dedicated people,” Blue Mass attendee and Co-Cathedral parishioner Judy Friedmann noted, “They know what to do at all times,” something in which she takes great comfort.
For Officer Vincent Rustico of the Brick Township Police Department, attending the Blue Mass for the first time was especially meaningful because it was an event that brought together “my career and my Catholic faith,” he said, noting that he is a member of the town’s Visitation Parish.
“I find it unifying” to see officers from different communities coming together with the general public, said Robert Faubel, a retired police officer from Danbury, Conn., now an N.J. law enforcement chaplain. “In today’s world, with all the violence and the division in our country, it’s necessary that the general public physically and outwardly show their support for law enforcement,” said Faubel, who resides in Hamilton and is affiliated with Lacey Christian Assembly in Forked River.
Picking up on the Jubilee theme of hope, Faubel added that, from his perspective as a chaplain, “a police officer’s job is to fight evil. My job is to show hope for them, to help them in their ability every day,” he said, then added that he created a hope acronym – “Helping Officers Persevere Everyday.”
“That’s what I do and why I’m here,” he said.
Bishop O’Connell blesses the congregation after Mass, accompanied by his secretary Father Jean Felicien.Michael Ehrmann