Blue Mass marks anniversary of terror attacks
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WEIRTON - While 25 years have passed since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, those in the Weirton community want to make sure the memories of that tragic day are not soon forgotten.
As has become a tradition over the last several years, area residents gathered at St. Joseph the Worker Church to celebrate a Blue Mass and honor the men and women who have stepped forward to offer protection for others.
"Life is about love and love is about laying down your life," noted the Rev. Dennis Schuelkens Jr. at the beginning of the homily for the Blue Mass.
As part of the Mass, the parish, along with students from Madonna High School, St. Joseph the Worker School and St. Paul School, welcomed local police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, along with active-duty and military veterans as a way to thank them for their service and offer prayers for their protection.
Friday’s service took on additional meaning as the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 2,977 individuals when al-Qaida-backed terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York and one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pa., after passengers and the crew fought back against the hijackers in an attempt to retake control.
"We remember all those first responders, and all others, who lost their lives," Schuelkens said.
Schuelkens noted many of those gathered Friday - in particular the students - were not yet born when the attacks took place, making it even more important to pass along the stories of those who died and those who answered the call in rescue and recovery efforts in the days after.
"We come together and we remember," he said.
He explained the importance of those who serve their communities as first responders or through military service, pledging their lives to help and protect others, and the responsibility it entails while knowing they may be called to lay down their own lives for others.
"Every single one of you takes an oath," he said. "There’s a commitment there."
He encouraged those gathered to pray for strength, wisdom, courage and good judgment through the recitation of the Prayer to St. Michael.
This is the 10th 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, along with the playing of "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes by Betsy Bethel-McFarland.
In addition to Schuelkens, concelebrants for the Blue Mass were the Rev. Gerald Muoka and the Rev. Binu Sebastian.
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.