Knights honor police as unsung heroes

By NADIA POZO
CS&T Staff Writer

It’s an unlikely scene: A SWAT team on its knees to pray together before charging into danger.

But praying is what the Northeast Chester County SWAT team does before and after every emergency situation.

“We have to rely on God’s guidance and wisdom to always assist us and help us through our task,” said Lt. Stephen Dintino of the Tredyffrin Township Police, who is the head of the Northeast Chester County SWAT team.

That’s why he said he appreciated the opportunity to give thanks and praise to God in the first Blue Mass in Chester County, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 13716.

“The entire service was beautiful, from start to finish,” said Dintino, who was invited to help bring the offertory gifts to the altar during the Mass. “It was a nice sign of support from the citizens — knowing they are behind us and praying for us. Prayer is one of the best way to support us.”

The noon Mass on Sept. 10 at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Valley Forge was a memorial for all those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks five years ago, and a way to honor all police officers, firefighters and EMT personnel who risk their lives protecting and safeguarding citizens, said Grand Knight Joseph Monti, who gave closing remarks so heartfelt that many in the pews wiped away tears.

“We are in awe of what you do for us,” Monti said. “We know more about you because we saw your brothers running into the towers on Sept. 11, to rescue people no matter what. … You go way above the call of duty. … We are all gathered here to praise you, honor you, to pray for you and, from the bottom of our hearts, to thank you.”

The display of appreciation and respect shown for the ‘first responders’ touched them so much so that they’re still talking about it, said Captain Andrew Chambers of the Tredyffrin Township Police. He also serves as lieutenant for the Glen Moore Fire Company and is vice president of the Chester County Hero Fund.

A 25-year veteran police officer, and a 30-year veteran firefighter, Chambers said: “It was very moving to see that citizens really care, because we often think they don’t.”

The Blue Mass was an opportunity for the Knights, along with the parishioners of St. Isaac Jogues, to demonstrate how much they care for and honor those unsung heroes, said Bryan Downey, a fourth degree knight who lost eight loved ones in the Sept. 11 attacks — including his cousin, Ray Downey, the highest-decorated firefighter in New York.

“What better people, in these difficult times we’re living, to honor than those on the front lines for us?” Downey said.

Bishop Robert Maginnis celebrated the Mass, with Msgr. James McDonough, the Vicar of Chester County, and Msgr. Joseph C Cunningham, the pastor of St. Isaac Jogues. It was attended by more than 600 first respondents, their family members, and parishioners.

Bishop Maginnis told the first respondents that, like Christ, they bring a healing touch to those they encounter.

Referring specifically to the Gospel of Mark 7, 31-37, in which Jesus with his touch heals the deaf man with the speech impediment, Bishop Maginnis said they act as Christ did, whether they are a firefighter pulling a child from a burning building, a police officer bringing someone to safety, or emergency personel breathing life into an injured person.

“You are following the Gospel message God is calling you to do,” the Bishop said. “Our Lord healed most of the time with touch. Touch has a profound effect on people.”

Those words resonated with the first respondents, Chamber said.

“It really hit home that we’re the first to provide a healing touch to someone in need,” he said. “I thought [the celebration] was fabulous, especially having Bishop Maginnis there.”

John DiBuonaventuro, the president of the Chester County Hero Fund and a volunteer firefighter for the Paoli Fire Company, said,“ Everybody looks to God, I think, in one form or another. They do it in their own way.”

DiBuonaventuro, a Villanova graduate, said he never leaves for an emergency without his dog-tags — one of which bears an inscription based on Joshua 1:9: “I will be strong and courageous. I will not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go.”

“It’s as simple as that,” he said.

The men and women who serve stand with their fellow officers to get the job done, DiBuonaventuro added.

Ultimately, he said, that’s what units them in solidarity. But for many, faith is what gets them through the risks they encounter.

And, by constantly relying on Him, “we give praise to God in our regular duties,” Dintino said.