Archdiocese of Newark Honors Active Police, Fallen Heroes at 29th Annual Blue Mass

Photo Credits: Archdiocese of Newark, Joe Jordan & Jessica Miano                                                                                                                                                Lieutenant Matthew Vogel of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, who died in the line of duty, was recently honored at the Archdiocese of Newark’s 29th Annual Blue Mass in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.  The Archdiocese of Newark honored the dedication and sacrifices of all active, retired, and deceased New Jersey law enforcement personnel on November 3.  Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, presided over the liturgy, which featured honor guard units, bagpipers, and drummers.

              This year Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and numerous other dignitaries joined hundreds of police officers from throughout the state to pray for five men who died in the line of duty: Senior Correctional Police Officer Daniel Sincavage; Port Authority Police Officer Anthony Varvaro; Middletown Police Detective Lieutenant Joseph Capriotti; Paterson Police Lieutenant Frank Petrelli; and Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland, who was a former Newark resident. Additionally, those at the Mass paid tribute to 10 officers who succumbed to COVID-19.

              Cardinal Tobin also acknowledged the good work of all active-duty law enforcement in his homily, citing the two Newark officers who were recently shot as examples of the police’s selflessness. He then asked everyone who is not in law enforcement to reflect on what God wants from them. They may not wear a badge, he said, but they can still follow the police’s example of helping those in need.

“We’re called to model mutual respect in the honest search for the common good, excluding no one from that process,” Cardinal Tobin said. “Saying ‘yes’ to God is something believers are called to do each day. (They) choose good over evil, truth over lies, and love for others over selfish gain.”