Blue Mass honors the men and women of law enforcement (1)

September 22, 2016

ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON 
For immediate release 

WHAT: Blue Mass honors the men and women of law enforcement
WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2016, 5:00 p.m. (Honor Guard Line Up at 4:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, Houston
CONTACT: Catherine Rogan, Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston, Media Relations Manager; 
713-652-8213 (office) or 713-515-6054 (mobile); e-mail crogan@archgh .org 

Archdiocese honor those who protect and serve our community


Houston – Every day the men and women of law enforcement dedicate themselves, and risk their lives, to protect the citizens of the Galveston-Houston area. At 5 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 24, Auxiliary Bishop George A. Sheltz will lead Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston as they honor and thank these men and women at the Archdiocesan Law Enforcement Blue Mass. The Mass will be held at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway in downtown Houston. 

“The Blue Mass is a time for area- Catholics to come together with love and support for those who, every day, serve to protect us and what we hold dear to our hearts,” said Deacon Alvin Lovelady, Associate Director for the Office of Correctional Ministries. 

“I am grateful for Bishop Sheltz’s participation in celebrating this Mass, and am very happy that area Catholics will be together to pray for those who defend us,” said Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.

“In these troubling and often violent times, we salute and support our men and women in Law Enforcement who so bravely and generously give of their lives for the service of all of us,” added Father Ron Cloutier, Director for the Archdiocesan Office of Correctional Ministries. 

Prior to the Mass, at 4:30 p.m., there will be an official Honor Guard Line Up with representatives from the Harris County Sherriff’s Office, the Houston Police Department along-side representatives from other local offices. The Mass will begin with a procession which will include members of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Peter Claver, Honor Guards, and representatives from local military and the Homeland Security Office.

“This Mass we call Blue, out of respect for all law enforcement no matter the color of their uniform, is our way of showing the support we have for the job they do as professionals, working to provide us with a safe place to carry on with our lives in the way we work, play, and worship,” said Deacon Lovelady. “The Office of Correctional Ministries with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is proud to sponsor and support this effort to bring others together in prayer and thanksgiving for the law enforcement agencies in our area. May God always watch over them as they watch over us.”

The Mass is open to active and retired employees of criminal justice agencies, their families and the general public.

About the Archdiocesan Office of Correction Ministries: 
The Office of Correctional Ministries provides pastoral services to those who are locked up in our prisons and jails and their families as well. Additionally, the ministry’s staff and volunteers reach out to the victims of crime and violence, as well as the families of law enforcement personnel.

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston serves 1.6 million Catholics in 10 counties.
It is the largest Roman Catholic diocese in Texas and the 5th largest in the United States.