First responders honored at St. John the Baptist Blue Mass

Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

DRAPER — Law enforcement officers and first responders from across the Wasatch Front were honored for their service and sacrifice at a Blue Mass held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Sept. 7. The Mass, celebrated by Father Paulraj Rayappa, the parish’s parochial vicar, drew officers, their families and supporters from several departments, including Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Lehi and Draper, as well as the Division of Natural Resources.

The Catholic Church celebrates a Blue Mass to honor people who work in the public safety field; the name is taken from the uniform color worn by many law enforcement officers.

In his homily during the Mass, Fr. Rayappa highlighted the selfless nature of first responders, comparing their dedication to the discipleship required by Jesus found in the day’s Gospel reading, Luke 14:25-33. 

In the reading, Jesus “is telling the crowd to consider the cost of following him,” Fr. Rayappa said. “For me, this message resonates profoundly with the purpose of the Blue Mass. Today, we gather for a very special purpose: to honor the men and women who serve as first responders, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical servicers – all those who rush to help the injured when others run away.”

Most people try to run away, he said, “but these are the people, these are the groups, they go closer to the injured.”

The service of first responders is more than a career; it is a vocation, he said. “You are protectors of peace, defenders of life, and guardians of justice.” Fr. Rayappa also quoted Scripture, saying, “‘Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ That is the love you live out every day.”

At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Stephen Tilley, the parish pastor, spoke about his personal connection to the law enforcement community, sharing a story about once wanting to be a police officer himself.

“I’ve always loved the cops; I’ve always loved the firefighters,” he said. “When we see that type of love, when we see that type of service, we see the cross of Jesus Christ.”

Fr. Tilley also announced that a fall fest held after the Mass and organized by the Knights of Columbus would benefit the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, two organizations that support the families of fallen service members. He urged attendees to be generous, and noted that police officers and firefighters were being offered food and activities for free as a small gesture of thanks.

As he concluded, Fr. Tilley read the names of several Utah officers who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past decade, calling for a moment of silence in their honor. He finished by asking all uniformed personnel to stand to receive a special blessing from him.

In an interview, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, a Catholic, expressed her gratitude for the recognition the Blue Mass gives. 

“It’s just a great honor,” she said. “You know, law enforcement and first responders don’t get recognized enough by our community, but to see that my own faith is doing that, it means a lot.”

Mikah Lindquist, a Salt Lake City police officer who is not Catholic, said he participates in the annual event because “It’s just great to see the support, and we come out every year just to as a way of saying thanks for it.”

Division of Natural Resources Lieutenant James Skaggs, whose three children all attend school at the Skaggs Catholic Center, also appreciated the Mass.  “I love it,” he said. “The Catholic community, we always feel included. The recognition is unnecessary, but it’s nice.”