Sept. 11 Blue Mass in Shannon Changes Venue
After years at fire station, Mass moves to St. Wendelin
August 22, 2019
SHANNON—The annual Knights of Columbus Blue Mass in honor of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will switch things up a bit this year.
Since the first Sept. 11 Blue Mass at St. Wendelin Parish in 2002, participants have gathered at the church and walked in procession to the Shannon Fire Station a couple of blocks away for the Mass. This year the event will flow in the opposite direction.
On Sept. 11, participants — including area fire fighters, police and emergency medical technicians as well as the general public — will gather at 6:30 p.m. at the Shannon Fire Station on S. Hickory St. one block off Hwy. 72, then process over to and down Main Street (Hwy. 72) to St. Wendelin Church for the Mass.
The Mass welcomes all denominations. It will be celebrated by Father Michael Bolger, pastor, and possibly additional priests from the area. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will serve as honor guard.
“The Blue Mass is a service honoring the men and women, current and retired, who devote their lives to serving our communities under both routine and dangerous situations,” say organizers. This is the only Blue Mass in the diocese celebrated every year on Sept. 11.
St. Wendelin Church is located at 18 Linn Street in Shannon, south of Freeport on Hwy. 26 then west on Hwy. 72. Light refreshments will follow the Mass. All are welcome.
Info: Bill Spoerlein, 815-541-9420