St. Joseph Parish and the Strongsville community thanked local safety forces and first responders at a prayer service Sept. 18 at St. Joseph Church.
The event was
featured on the website of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
"We pray with and for you today and we thank you for your dedication, heroism and strength,” said Father Joe Mamich, the St. Joseph pastor who also serves a chaplain for the safety forces here.
It was the fifth year for the service, which was attended by several dozen emergency personnel. Mayor Tom Perciak also addressed the crowd to thank the city's police officers, firefighters and dispatchers.
The service included a bagpipe processional, presentation of the colors, a blessing over the safety forces and a blessing of their families.