The Blue Mass, a venerable Catholic tradition honoring those serving in law enforcement and public safety agencies, will be held on the Feast of the Guardian Angels – Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd.

The mass is sponsored by the Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, Brentwood and Byron Knights of Columbus councils. All are cordially welcome to the service, which will be presided over by St. Ignatius Church Parochial Administrator Robert Rien, who also serves several cities as police chaplain.

Participating agencies to be honored include the Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Martinez police departments, Contra Costa and East Contra Costa Fire Protection districts, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol. The liturgy includes both police and fire department ceremonies and ritual and concludes with the blessing of all police officers and firefighters, followed by the moving End of Watch, when the chaplain’s bell is rung for all those officers and firefighters who have died.

Following the liturgy, a complimentary luncheon will be served in the parish tent for all police and firefighters as well as their family and friends. Luncheon tickets for the general pubic are $20. The deadline to register is Sept. 25. For information, call Steve Rojek at 925-642-2329 or e-mail walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.