Emergency Responders Receive Blessings and Reassurances

Emergency-Responders-Receive-Blessings-and-ReassurancesMunster police Lt. Edward Strbjak was among representatives of area first-responders who attended a packed, 15th annual Mass of Thanksgiving Honoring Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel, hosted by Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Dyer Sept. 29. The Mass, which took place on the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, patron of emergency workers; was celebrated by the Rev. Keith Virus, of St. James the Less parish in Highland.

He was assisted by the Rev. Theodore Mens, of St. Mary parish in Griffith, who also is chaplain of the Griffith Police Department; and the Rev. Michael Kopil, of Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary, who also is chaplain of the Schererville Fire Department. During his homily, Virus reminded the officers that despite recent troubled times in America, members of local communities support and appreciate their work. He also called on God to protect the officers and to guide them through difficulties. The program takes place during alternating years at the two Franciscan St. Margaret Health campuses and is sponsored by the hospitals’ Mission and Spiritual Care Departments.