Mass honors first responders

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Honor guard display the flags at the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice May 20 at St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal. COURTESY

rwb mass web

Jay Butler, Happy Creek District supervisor and parishioner; James Bergida, parishioner; and James Bonzano II, fire chief for the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services verb at the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice May 20 in St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal. COURTESY

rwb mass1 web

Captain Crystal Cline, from the Front Royal Police Department; and Fr. Michael Duesterhaus, organizer and celebrant of the first Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice, pose for a photo May 20 at St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal. COURTESY

rwb mass 2 web

Warren County Sheriff Mark Butler and Jay Butler, Happy Creek District supervisor and parishioner pose for a photo at the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice May 20 at St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal. COURTESY

rwb mass 3 web

St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal celebrated Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice May 20 to honor members of the community who are first responders: fire and rescue, EMT and medical service providers and law enforcement. Father Michael R. Duesterhaus, associate pastor, who spent many years as a U.S. Marine chaplain, organized and celebrated the Mass.

All first responders were encouraged to wear their uniforms.

Among the attendees were James Bonzano II, Fire Chief for the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services; Captain Crystal Cline, from the Front Royal Police Department; and Sheriff Mark Butler, from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.

Related Articles