JACKSONVILLE — A firetruck, ambulances, state and city police cars and other emergency response vehicles are not exactly what parishioners expect to see pulled up in front of their parish church when they arrive for Mass. But at the 4:30 p.m. Mass Sept. 15 at Our Saviour Church in Jacksonville, just such a sight was pretty impressive.

Inside, first responders in uniforms, some with spouses and children, joined parishioners at the Blue Mass. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was the celebrant, with Father Thomas Meyer, pastor, a concelebrant.

First responders include ambulance workers, firefighters, police officers, sheriffs and deputies, state troopers, dispatch coordinators, nurses, physicians, paramedics and others.

Bishop Paprocki welcomed the first responders, and thanked them for the service they provide. Later in his homily, he spoke about the responsibility of everyone to "take up the cross."

"Wherever we are there is the cross," he said. "You who are first responders, as you seek to 'defend, protect or preserve,' have an ongoing opportunity to conform your life to Jesus. We gladly ask God to protect you and give you the strength and wisdom you need."

A lawn supper for guests and parishioners followed after Mass.

"The first responders we met at our planning sessions told us this kind of recognition has never been offered to them before," said Nell Ann Wooldridge, a nurse and pastoral care minister at Our Saviour's. "They told us they were grateful for the opportunity to get together to give thanks."