Law enforcement officers from throughout the Diocese of Metuchen gathered Wednesday, for the ninth annual Blue Mass. Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski presided over the Mass which was held, this year, at St. Stephen Church in Perth Amboy.

I wandered outside the church while the annual Blue Mass was going on inside. In front of the church, I found a Perth Amboy police department honor guard practicing perfection. As the officers repeatedly went through the motions, I had several opportunities to finesse this shot. They practiced their cadence half a dozen times and I shot about 85 images, experimenting with different exposures and compositions.

Community House at St. Thomas, in Old Bridge, is a home for mentally competent, independent adults with physical disabilities. Residents pay rent that is calculated in accordance with HUD eligibility for those with very low income. The home can accommodate eight residents, and is currently home to five.

Funding for Community House comes from a variety of sources, including Catholic Charities, HUD, and the United Way. As United Way shifts its focus, many adult-orientated programs stand to lose funding from the charity. For Community House, the loss represents approximately 6% of the annual operating budget.

Fumbles drive coaches crazy… but I love ‘em.  The Owls of Highland Park knocked off the Metuchen Bulldogs 32-21 on a career day by junior Quawie Bachelor (below), who rushed for 208 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Members of the Plainfield police community gathered Saturday to dedicate a memorial to the four officers killed in the line of duty since the department was founded in 1869. “We’re honoring those who have lost their lives”, said Police Director Martin Hellwig, “who have given everything to the city. With this visual reminder, Watchung and Fourth will never be the same .”