PRAYERS – The Rev. Dennis Schuelkens Jr. celebrated the Blue Mass Thursday at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Weirton, leading prayers of protection for local emergency responders. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — On the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, area residents gathered at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Weirton to celebrate and offer prayers for those who step forward to protect the community.

“Life is about love and love is about laying down our lives,” said the Rev. Dennis R. Schuelkens Jr, in beginning his homily for a Blue Mass celebrated at the parish and including members of local law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, and members of the nation’s Armed Services.

The Blue Mass has become a tradition in Weirton with Schuelkens’ guidance, inviting students from Weirton’s three Catholic schools – St. Paul Grade School, St. Joseph the Worker Grade School, and Madonna High School – to come together with others in the community to thank first responders for their service.

Schuelkens spoke of Christ’s light as offering hope, healing, and safety, protecting and defending humanity and being an instrument of peace.

“We honor those professions who, by their very nature, bring this light,” he said.

OFFERING THANKS – Local emergency responders receive gifts from the students of Madonna High School, St. Paul Grade School, and St. Joseph the Worker Grade School during Thursday’s Blue Mass in Weirton. -- Craig Howell

This is the ninth year a Blue Mass has been held in Weirton on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

It included a salute from members of the American Legion Honor Guard, with Schulkens telling the youth it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made to keep the nation and its people free.

In addition to Schuelkens, con-celebrants for the Blue Mass were the Rev. Binu Sebastian, the Rev. Gerald Muoka, the Rev. Luke Iyengar and the Rev. Justin Golna. Betsy Bethel-McFarland played musical selections on the bagpipes before and after the service.

A luncheon was provided for the emergency responders, following the Mass, in the gymnasium of St. Joseph the Worker School, and each was presented with a gift by students.

The first Blue Mass in the United States was celebrated Sept. 29, 1934, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., with 1,100 police officers and firefighters in attendance to honor the fallen members of their ranks.

The Mass took on a new significance following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with celebrations held throughout the United States.