By Mary Powers
The 77th annual San Francisco Police-Fire-Sheriff Mass was held on September 7, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. The Mass originated as an annual way to honor firefighters who lost their lives during the 1946 Herbert Hotel Fire and continues to honor all first responders.
Each year, city leaders gathers to honor those first responders who died in the line of duty and to pray for and thank the active members of the San Francisco Fire, Police and Parks and Recreation Departments as well as the Sheriff’s Office. The Mass was attended by elected officials including Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, Mayor Daniel Lurie, Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, Supervisor Stephen Sherill, Supervisor Matt Dorsey, and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. The San Francisco Interfaith Council, including SFIC President Michael Pappas was also in attendance.
In his homily, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone reflected on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s conversation on “cheap grace” in his book “The Cost of Discipleship”. Bonhoeffer was a German theologian and pastor of the early and mid-20th century who is renowned for his involvement in the resistance movement against Adolph Hitler in his home country at that time, an involvement for which he paid the ultimate cost.
By “cheap grace” Bonhoeffer meant the attitude according to which one thinks, “I can do whatever I want, even if it’s not ethical or moral. I can indulge myself because God will forgive me anyway.”
Drawing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life and St. Paul’s letter to Philemon, Archbishop Cordileone emphasized that real transformation, both personal and societal, begins with seeing others as brothers and sisters in Christ, highlighting the ongoing relevance of this message in the face of modern “slavery” — from human trafficking to addiction and violence. The archbishop stressed the power of personal encounter—like that lived by Mother Teresa and St. Francis of Assisi—as a path to healing and justice. He called on all people of faith, especially first responders, to “collect receipts for heaven” by living lives of sacrificial love, courage and service.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank our police officers, firefighters, sheriff deputies and first responders,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “You are generous not only with the temporal goods that God has given you, but with your very lives, laying them on the line every day for us to ensure our safety.”
The Mass included a Blessing of Stars and Badges for first responders. When Mass ended, a special remembrance took place called The Last Alarm, which included remarks by Commander Jack Hart of the San Francisco Police Department, reading of the names of those who had died by Police Chief Paul Yep, Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Rabbitt, and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. Also included was the traditional Ringing of the Fire Bell and playing of Taps.
Following this tribute, there was a reception in the church hall honoring first responders.
