By Anne Marie Amacher
LONG GROVE — Nearly three dozen first responders — police, firefighters, medics and more — attended a Mass to thank them for their work; many of them are volunteers.
The “first responders” Mass was held Sept. 9 at St. Ann Church.
Msgr. Drake Shafer, the parish’s pastor, said the special Mass coincided last year with the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks against the United States. This year and in following years the Mass will be held on a Sunday closest to the 9-11 anniversary each year.
Invitations were sent to north Scott County-area first responders including police officers, fire fighters, medics and MedForce helicopter air ambulance crews.
Those attending the Mass received a blessing, he noted.
Following Mass, Msgr. Shafer said, the Boy Scouts raised a new flag outside on parish grounds. Faith formation students in grades kindergarten through 12 made thank you cards to present to the first responders. Parishioners were invited to check out the emergency equipment displayed on parish grounds. That included a MedForce helicopter, four fire trucks and several police vehicles.
