St. Philips and James Catholic School, in Phillipsburg, recently celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a Mass that honored members of the Phillipsburg Police Department and observed the feast of St. Blaise.

Phillipsburg Chief Robert Stetter receives an illustration of the word "brave" from student Lucas Anmolsingh. Students were asked to describe police officers and then made artistic word cloud illustrations with the words they felt best described the officers. (Courtesy photo) 

Father John Barbella was the celebrant of the Mass.

During the Mass, Fr. Barbella blessed the throats of those who came forward.

It is believed that St. Blaise, a bishop and martyr in 316 AD, saved a young boy who was choking while he was imprisoned.

A prayer is said asking in part "may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness."

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