Blue Mass for first responders May 13

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DAVENPORT — A Blue Mass for first-responders —law enforcement, fire and corrections staff and dispatchers — will be held May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus Council 15725 invites all of these individuals from Scott County and Rock Island Arsenal to the Mass.
Bishop Martin Amos will preside; Father Tony Herold, pastor of St. Paul’s, will concelebrate.

The Blue Mass is named because of the predominantly blue-colored uniforms of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. First-responders of all faiths and traditions are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The focus and intention of the Blue Mass is to celebrate and honor first-responders, said Mark Gassen of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus at St. Paul’s.
“These ceremonies are very popular in other parts of the country. One has never been held in Davenport. We, the Knights of Columbus, felt it was a great way to show unity of our first-responders through God and community.”

Gassen said Sergeant Eric Gruenhagen, a Davenport police officer and member of St. Paul’s, brought the idea to the Knights in February. “The idea was discussed within our St. Paul Knights of Columbus and was accepted as an outstanding idea. With Fr. Herold’s approval, we began planning the Mass,” Gassen said.

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A reception will follow the Mass in Denning Hall.


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