Students of the St Francis Cathedral School of Metuchen are greeted by Bishop James Checchio during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.
Bishop James F. Checchio of the Diocese of Metuchen will preside over the 17th annual Blue Mass for law enforcement at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 548 Main Street, Metuchen.
Before Mass begins at 10:30 a.m., members of police departments from around the diocese will assemble outside and process into the Cathedral. There will be an honor guard procession, pipes and drums music, and the singing of the National Anthem.
After Communion, there will be a remembrance of those officers who have died in the line of duty. The remembrance portion will conclude with a 21-gun salute, “Amazing Grace” played by pipes and drums, and “TAPS” played by buglers.
After Mass, the bishop will bless the troops and, weather permitting, there will be a State Police aircraft flyover. Students of Saints Philip and James School will participate.
All are welcome to attend.
Officers enter in formation for the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
Students of the St Francis Cathedral School, of Metuchen, greet the officers, not pictured, during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
Students of the St Francis Cathedral School of Metuchen await the start of the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
Devyn Aponte, Tommy McNulty, Ty Carter, Nicholas Smythe, and Michael McElwain (of Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen) attemded the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The boys showed their support with a "Thank You" Banner for the officers involved.▲
Devyn Aponte, Tommy McNulty, Ty Carter, Nicholas Smythe, and Michael McElwain (of Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen) attemded the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The boys showed their support with a "Thank You" Banner for the officers involved.▲
The Piscataway Police Department performed the color guard duties during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
The Piscataway Police Department performed the color guard duties during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
The Middlesex County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums stand in formation in front of Bishop James Checchio during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
Officers enter in formation for the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
Officers enter in formation for the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
The Metuchen Police Department stand in formation during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
The Metuchen Police Department stand in formation during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
The Metuchen Police Department stand in formation during the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
Lieutenant Ted Schafer, atop Wesley, greets the officers as they arrive in formation at the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
Lieutenant Ted Schafer, atop Wesley, left, and Sergeant William Donahue, atop Elvis, great the students of St Francis Cathedral School of Metuchen as they arrive at the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
Lieutenant Ted Schafer, atop Wesley, left, and Sergeant William Donahue, atop Elvis arrive at the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
The Middlesex County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums await the start of the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7.▲
Officers enter in formation for the 17th Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass that was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen on Nov 7. The students prepared for the ceremony by constructing their own police caps.▲
