Guardian Mass honors first responders who made ‘ultimate sacrifice’ #Catholic – First responders are “guardian angels in uniforms, who lead us to safety, protect us, and are willing to sacrifice to keep us safe,” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney proclaimed during the inaugural Guardian Mass on May 2 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. The bishop celebrated the Mass and led churchgoers in honoring, praying for, and thanking all first responders, their families, and guardians who lost their lives in the past year. The first Guardian Mass was held last Saturday, establishing a new tradition in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. The 25th and final Blue Mass took place last May, honoring law enforcement and their families. The Guardian Mass now includes fire, EMS, emergency communications, management, and their families, as well as law enforcement. During the Mass, the congregation also remembered the lives lost in or as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of those tragic events. The Mass honored guardians who died last year, including Lt. Peter E. Bruncati, SFC, William A. Casey, Sgt. Lee E. Hendrickson, SPC, Steven C. Tiboni, SFC, and Sean W. Acker of the New Jersey State Police, and Firefighter Howard Bennett of the Camden Fire Department. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney thanked first responders for their “patience, professionalism, training, and dedication, each day.” “We thank and honor you today. We admire your courage and your willingness to sacrifice, placing yourself in the line of fire” — and often in harm’s way — during domestic disputes, shootings, and fires, Bishop Sweeney said. “Our Lord Jesus said, ‘There’s no greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends.’ You do this not only for friends but for anyone in need,” he said. In addition, Bishop Sweeney thanked the commitment and sacrifices made by the spouses, parents, children, and other family members of first responders. An honor guard consisting of first responders carried American flags into St. John’s during the Mass’s opening procession. First responders, families of fallen officers, and chaplains also joined the liturgy. Later, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” in remembrance of the fallen officers. At the end of Mass, Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects, thanked everyone who helped plan and assist with the Guardian Mass. He was also a member of the planning committee and a concelebrating priest. Msgr. Sylva also serves as a chaplain for first responders. In his remarks, Msgr. Geno also thanked first responders, especially in Paterson, “for being heroes to us.” “You make things better. You’ve done this by saying ‘yes’ to us, to people, and to the common good,” Msgr. Sylva said. “At times, in your daily lives, maybe what you signed up for is not what you expected. But it’s important for us to remember that our God is not found in expectations. He is found when we face reality in faith, hope, and love,” the priest said. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  

First responders are “guardian angels in uniforms, who lead us to safety, protect us, and are willing to sacrifice to keep us safe,” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney proclaimed during the inaugural Guardian Mass on May 2 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. The bishop celebrated the Mass and led churchgoers in honoring, praying for, and thanking all first responders, their families, and guardians who lost their lives in the past year.

The first Guardian Mass was held last Saturday, establishing a new tradition in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. The 25th and final Blue Mass took place last May, honoring law enforcement and their families. The Guardian Mass now includes fire, EMS, emergency communications, management, and their families, as well as law enforcement.

During the Mass, the congregation also remembered the lives lost in or as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of those tragic events.

The Mass honored guardians who died last year, including Lt. Peter E. Bruncati, SFC, William A. Casey, Sgt. Lee E. Hendrickson, SPC, Steven C. Tiboni, SFC, and Sean W. Acker of the New Jersey State Police, and Firefighter Howard Bennett of the Camden Fire Department.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In his homily, Bishop Sweeney thanked first responders for their “patience, professionalism, training, and dedication, each day.”

“We thank and honor you today. We admire your courage and your willingness to sacrifice, placing yourself in the line of fire” — and often in harm’s way — during domestic disputes, shootings, and fires, Bishop Sweeney said. “Our Lord Jesus said, ‘There’s no greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends.’ You do this not only for friends but for anyone in need,” he said.

In addition, Bishop Sweeney thanked the commitment and sacrifices made by the spouses, parents, children, and other family members of first responders.

An honor guard consisting of first responders carried American flags into St. John’s during the Mass’s opening procession. First responders, families of fallen officers, and chaplains also joined the liturgy. Later, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” in remembrance of the fallen officers.

At the end of Mass, Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects, thanked everyone who helped plan and assist with the Guardian Mass. He was also a member of the planning committee and a concelebrating priest. Msgr. Sylva also serves as a chaplain for first responders.

In his remarks, Msgr. Geno also thanked first responders, especially in Paterson, “for being heroes to us.”

“You make things better. You’ve done this by saying ‘yes’ to us, to people, and to the common good,” Msgr. Sylva said. “At times, in your daily lives, maybe what you signed up for is not what you expected. But it’s important for us to remember that our God is not found in expectations. He is found when we face reality in faith, hope, and love,” the priest said.

Guardian Mass honors first responders who made ‘ultimate sacrifice’ #Catholic –

First responders are “guardian angels in uniforms, who lead us to safety, protect us, and are willing to sacrifice to keep us safe,” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney proclaimed during the inaugural Guardian Mass on May 2 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. The bishop celebrated the Mass and led churchgoers in honoring, praying for, and thanking all first responders, their families, and guardians who lost their lives in the past year.

The first Guardian Mass was held last Saturday, establishing a new tradition in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. The 25th and final Blue Mass took place last May, honoring law enforcement and their families. The Guardian Mass now includes fire, EMS, emergency communications, management, and their families, as well as law enforcement.

During the Mass, the congregation also remembered the lives lost in or as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of those tragic events.

The Mass honored guardians who died last year, including Lt. Peter E. Bruncati, SFC, William A. Casey, Sgt. Lee E. Hendrickson, SPC, Steven C. Tiboni, SFC, and Sean W. Acker of the New Jersey State Police, and Firefighter Howard Bennett of the Camden Fire Department.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In his homily, Bishop Sweeney thanked first responders for their “patience, professionalism, training, and dedication, each day.”

“We thank and honor you today. We admire your courage and your willingness to sacrifice, placing yourself in the line of fire” — and often in harm’s way — during domestic disputes, shootings, and fires, Bishop Sweeney said. “Our Lord Jesus said, ‘There’s no greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends.’ You do this not only for friends but for anyone in need,” he said.

In addition, Bishop Sweeney thanked the commitment and sacrifices made by the spouses, parents, children, and other family members of first responders.

An honor guard consisting of first responders carried American flags into St. John’s during the Mass’s opening procession. First responders, families of fallen officers, and chaplains also joined the liturgy. Later, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” in remembrance of the fallen officers.

At the end of Mass, Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects, thanked everyone who helped plan and assist with the Guardian Mass. He was also a member of the planning committee and a concelebrating priest. Msgr. Sylva also serves as a chaplain for first responders.

In his remarks, Msgr. Geno also thanked first responders, especially in Paterson, “for being heroes to us.”

“You make things better. You’ve done this by saying ‘yes’ to us, to people, and to the common good,” Msgr. Sylva said. “At times, in your daily lives, maybe what you signed up for is not what you expected. But it’s important for us to remember that our God is not found in expectations. He is found when we face reality in faith, hope, and love,” the priest said.