Newark, N.J. – The Archdiocese of Newark will celebrate the 30th Annual Blue Mass honoring the dedication and sacrifices of New Jersey law enforcement personnel on Thursday, November 2, at 10 a.m. in Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside over the Mass, which will be attended by law enforcement and fire officials of all faiths representing federal, state, county, and municipal departments and agencies. They will be joined by the families of the deceased being recognized as well as multiple police honor guard units, bagpipers, and drummers. High-ranking public officials will also be present to show their support.

This year’s Blue Mass will pay tribute to officers who died in the line of duty: Bayonne Police Captain Paul Jamolawicz, Port Authority Police Officer Anthony Varvaro, Deptford Township Police Officer Robert Shisler, U.S. Customs Supervisor Jacqueline Montanaro; Timothy Sullivan of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Gerald Barbato.

The following officers also will be remembered: Bayonne Sergeant Robert Skalski, Newark Captain Richard Weber, Officer Brendan Burke of the New Jersey Transit Police, Lieutenant Walter A. Imbert of the Orange Police Department, Timothy O’Hare of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and Detective Alex Melendez of the New Jersey Transit Police.

Additionally, the Blue Mass will honor Newark firefighters Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brookes following their deaths earlier this year.

A luncheon sponsored by law enforcement will be held at the Branch Brook Park Roller Rink in Newark following the Mass. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by contacting Vincent Nardone and William Schievella at 1-800-427-7651 or bluemass@embarqmail.com.

About the Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. The Archdiocese has 212 parishes, 73 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.