Service honored local firefighters and police officers

CINCINNATI - St. Peter in Chains Cathedral on Plum Street in downtown held a Blue Mass on Sunday morning to honor the city's first responders.
 
Before the service began, Cincinnati Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Binzer held a blessing ceremony for the police officers and firefighters along with the equipment they use.
 
The homily also contained a message of appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
 
"Blue Mass celebrations are held throughout the United States, usually in a cathedral setting, to honor the men and women who serve our communities as police, fire and safety personnel, said Captain Rick Ransick of the Cincinnati Fire Department in a statement. "The homily contains a message of appreciation, encouragement and solidarity with the safety personnel as keepers of order in our civil society."

At the end of the church service, names of safety personnel who have died this past year were read aloud.