Summer Jade Duplantis
September 20, 2011
Alvin Harding Sr.
September 22, 2011
Service professionals from police and firemen to lawyers and judges and those in medical careers will receive special recognition from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux during the next four weeks as celebrations for local congregations and the region-at-large are highlighted.
Tomorrow, the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma will host a Blue Mass at 11 a.m. In cooperation with Catholic Charities and the Diocesan Office of Worship, the diocese will offer words of thanks to members of various law enforcement agencies.
“As we celebrate a Mass for peace and justice, we pray especially for community protectors, firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel,” Diocesan Office of Worship Director the Rev. Glenn LeCompte said. “In particular, [we remember] members of these agencies who have died in the line of duty or after a lifetime of service are remembered in a special way with the Prayers of the Faithful.”
“The Blue Mass is for the men and women who protect our community and country and is very moving and has been extremely well received over the years,” Catholic Charities Director Rob Gorman said.
This mass is generally planned during or near the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael on Sept. 29. St. Michael is the patron saint of community protectors.
The Red Mass is scheduled to take place at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales on Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m.
“A Mass of peace and justice will be celebrated as we pray for members of the legal profession, that is, judges, lawyers and their staffs,” LeCompte said. “The Mass is celebrated during the traditional opening of the judicial season in October.”
LeCompte explained that St. Thomas Moore is the patron saint of lawyers and judges.
The third period of worship announced by the diocese is set for the weekend of Oct. 15 and 16 when all parishes will recognize medical and mental health professionals. This weekend was selected because it falls nearest to the Feast of St. Luke, on Oct. 18. St. Luke is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.
Members of the Tri-parish area’s court system, law enforcement, firefighters and emergency responders will be honored at a series of special masses locally over the next four weeks. The first, a Blue Mass, will be held tomorrow at St. Francis de Sales in Houma. MIKE NIXON
