A calling to serve – and a way of life

 
Vicar General Very Rev. Paul Hesse filled in for Bishop Mulvey, who is recovering from knee surgery and sent his greetings and gratitude for the first responders service. In his homily, Fr. Hesse said that being a police officer, firefighter, or first responder is “a vocation – a way of life. You give yourself to the community.” He remembered how he was involved in an accident years ago and how grateful he was for the assistance of police officers and EMTs who took care of him. “It is an act of sacrifice – you help in accidents, disasters, hurricanes, but you also deal with difficult situations and see the worst of humankind.”
 
He continued, “Humanity is incredibly broken, yet there is great good in the midst of all of it. God calls each of us to proclaim His Gospel and to bring good into the world.” He thanked each of the first responders who were present and their families, “May God bless the work that you do, and may you always know our appreciation.”
 
The Blue Mass committee honored all those who passed away during the last year. After an exit with music of the Pipes and Drums Corpus Christi, the celebration continued in St. Joseph’s Hall.
 
Keynote speaker Juan "Tony" Antonio Cano, retired Police Chief of the Gregory Police Department, retired Lieutenant of the Portland Police Department, and a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, shared how he found his way from the military to enter the police in the late 1970s. “The first time I was in a patrol car, I knew I was in the right place.” He recommended that every first responder strive to do the work with passion and excellence to do the job well: “You are doing the work of God.”
 
The Knights of Columbus, who sponsored the event, recognized several first responders with awards. Deputy David Garcia and Jesse Q Garcia received recognition for serving for 23 years in the Blue Mass program.
 Adrian Rodriguez, Chief Deputy of the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office and a member of Sacred Heart in Sinton, was honored with the Award for Law Enforcement. He is also a Deacon Candidate to be ordained a Permanent Deacon in November.

 The Award for Communications went to Thomas C Gonzalez, who retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety. He is a member of Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Corpus Christi and a Deacon Candidate to be ordained in November as a Permanent Deacon.
 
 
The Blue Mass was started by Jesse Q Garcia and the Knights of Columbus Council 11663 at Sacred Heart in Mathis. The first mass was celebrated by Fr. Jose Salazar and then Robstown Police Chaplain Fr. Maurice Shepherd, SOLT. David Garcia has been helping since the beginning.