Diocese of Metuchen to honor firefighters Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, of the Diocese of Metuchen, will be the principal celebrant at a firefighters Mass on April 24 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church on Throop Avenue in New Brunswick. "We owe our firefighters a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service and dedication. Their special ministry deserves special recognition. Our Mass is our way of honoring them, and asking God to bless and protect them," Bootkoski said in a prepared statement released by the diocese. Through the Mass, the bishop said the diocese will also thank the firefighters’ families, who willingly give up time with their loved one so he or she is able to help others. "The firefighters do the work, but their families are the ones who wait and pray for their safe return every time they go out on a call. They, too, deserve our thanks," the Bishop said. Professional volunteer and retired firefighters from Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties are invited to attend the Mass, though all are welcome, according to the diocese. "It’s important to set aside time to remember the heroic deeds and everyday sacrifices of our firefighters, so they will know how very much we appreciate their unselfish service," Bootkoski said. Bagpipers and color guards from several departments as well as the diocesan choir will participate in the firefighters’ Mass. Special pins and prayer cards will be distributed to firefighters as a remembrance. For more information about the firefighters’ Mass visit the diocese’s Web site at www.diometuchen.org or call (732) 562-2461.