By Brian D. Wallace
BRIDGEPORT–The Annual Diocesan Blue Mass honoring Fire, Police and First Responders will be held on Sunday, September 10 at 10 am at St. Augustine Cathedral, 399 Washington Ave.in Bridgeport. A reception immediately following Mass will be held in the Kolbe Cathedral High School gym on the parish grounds.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the main celebrant along with diocesan priests who serve as police and fire chaplains in Fairfield County. The Mass will commemorate the 22nd Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.
Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Medical Service personnel of all faiths in Fairfield County, along with members of the general public, are invited to attend the Mass and reception.
The Fairfield County Councils and Assemblies of the Knights of Columbus are co-sponsoring the Mass along with the Diocese of Bridgeport. Deacon George Kain, Chaplain of the Ridgefield Police Department, is coordinating the event.
Norwalk Police Officer Keith Torreso with 1-year-old Eloise, whose life he saved last year. Torreso will be honored at this year’s Blue Mass on Sunday, September 10.
While the Mass honors all first responders for acts of heroism and public service, the bishop will present a special award to Norwalk Police Officer Keith Torreso. On July 25, 2022, Officer Torreso was dispatched to a 911 call of a birth of a child and that the newborn was not breathing.
“Officer Torreso rushed to the location to attend to the mother and infant. The infant was unresponsive. Officer Torreso quickly provided chest compressions and was able to successfully resuscitate the infant. Due to his quick actions, training and calm demeanor Officer Torreso saved the life of the newborn baby,” said Deacon Kain.
This past July Officer Torreso was recently reunited with the family at their request and met with the 1-year-old Eloise he had saved in 2022.
The Blue Mass takes its name from the blue uniforms worn by police, fire and emergency services personnel. Founded by then-Bishop William E. Lori, the Blue Mass was initiated to celebrate the life and heroism of those who died during the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D. C.
For further information, please contact Deacon George Kain dnkain@diobpt.org. Phone: 203-994-7807.
