St. Pius hosts 3rd annual San Mateo County Faith & Blue Mass
By Mary Powers
The Archdiocese of San Francisco held the 3rd annual Faith & Blue Mass for San Mateo County on Sunday, October 8, at St. Pius Catholic Church in Redwood City. The Mass, celebrated by Father Tom Martin and concelebrated by Father Gregory Heidenblut, OSA, included members of the police, fire and sheriff departments and their families as well as other members of the community.
The national Faith & Blue weekend is held each year to facilitate safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through the connections of faith-based organizations.
The Mass included a special blessing of the badges and remembrance of members of the agencies who had passed away over the past year.
In his homily, Father Martin thanked the first responders for their work in the vineyard to which God has called them, telling them that “the fruit that you produce each day is immeasurable; it is unquantifiable.”
“Each day, the brothers and sisters we honor in this church today bear witness to what it means to cultivate your vineyard,” said Father Martin. “By producing good fruit, by your hard work and your dedication…you continue to be an example to all of us of selfless care and devotion. May the fruit that you produce transform and change our towns, our cities, our states, our nation, and our global community.”
Photos: Dennis Callahan, Archdiocese of San Francisco
