Praying For The Men And Women In Blue

Ashland's Our Lady Of The Lake Catholic Church Hosts Blue Mass

Ashland, Wis.

So far this year in the United States 47 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. That’s up 34 percent from this time last year. It’s a scary rise in statistics that some Northlanders are hoping to pray away. Tonight was the 9th annual emergency services blue mass to bless current departments and especially the lives lost locally.

The service tonight included prayer not only for those currently in the line of duty but three members of local first responder organizations that recently lost their lives including…

Stanley Bebeau whom was an Ashland police officer, Jay Cablk whom served as an EMT out of Mason Wisconsin and Richard Frederick’s, the former Bayfield County Sheriff.

“It means a lot that they know that they’re being appreciated and getting a little extra support for the task they have in hand.” Says Dan Clark, Ashland Knights of Columbus.

The service tonight was non-denominational. After the mass, Bishop James Patrick Powers stepped outside to bless those in blue and their vehicles, praying for their safety.

It’s a ceremony that local law enforcement looks forward to each year

“The spiritual uplift is really great. It’s a show of appreciation, a show of support and helps us realize that there’s a great power than we are, and appreciation of that is really important to us.” Said Paul Susienka, Bayfield County Sheriff.