Bishop Brennan to NYPD Officers at Memorial Mass: “You Have the Prayers of a Lot of Us”

The Mass is dedicated annually to the members of the service who lost their lives in the line of duty within the confines of the precincts of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South. The memorial Mass included the reading aloud of 132 names that comprise the List of Heroes.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell and Assistant Chief Michael M. Kemper, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Commanding Officer, were among the NYPD officials in attendance.

In his homily, Bishop Brennan stated, “As one not on the force, I want to say a word of appreciation to you, to all of you, for every single day and every single act. Not only do you have my humble prayers, but you also have the prayers of a lot of us. As a community, know that we pray for you often. May God bless you today as you remember your brothers and sisters.”

“And between all their differences, different names, different ages, different sexes, different matters of death, whether from a gunshot wound, whether from a heart attack, or 9/11 cancer, one thing remained consistent. Each of them were New York City cops who died subsequent to performing acts of extreme courage and bravery. Make no mistake about it, each of them died a hero,” said Assistant Chief Michael M. Kemper.

Monsignor Robert Romano, the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is an Assistant Chief Chaplain of the New York City Police Department. Monsignor David Cassato, an Assistant Chief Chaplain with the NYPD, was also a concelebrant at the Mass.