Austin Prep chaplain blesses vehicles, first responders

Austin Preparatory School hosted a “Blue Mass” for Reading police officers, firefighters and EMTs, and the school chaplain blessed their emergency vehicles on Thurs., Dec. 8.

“We came together as a community today as an expression of thanks and gratitude to our first responders,” said James Hickey of Andover, Headmaster. “You put your lives on the line for us. Thank you for your lives of service.”

Reading Police, Firefighters and EMTs attended the Mass in uniform, as were the parents of students who are first responders. The Reading middle and high school serves 740 students, who were also at the Mass.

After Mass Fr. Patrick Armano of Reading, the school’s chaplain, blessed the fire trucks and police vehicles in the Austin Prep parking lot.

The photos above were taken by senior Cory Kinchla of Tewksbury and junior Tyler Walsh of Reading.