RINDGE — The Eastern Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church held its annual celebration at Cathedral of the Pines on Sunday.

About 75 members of the diocese, which stretches from its northeast seniorite, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manchester, to parishes in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, celebrated the Mass.

The Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski, who was installed as diocesan bishop at Holy Trinity Cathedral last March, was the main celebrant. Other priests of the diocese concelebrated the Mass with him.

The annual Mass has been celebrated at the outdoor cathedral in Rindge for about 60 years, Sobiechowski said.

“Thinking about the length of our National Polish Catholic Church, this service has been taking place in our diocese more than half the time this church has been in existence,” he said.

While the hot afternoon sun forced most church members to sit in a shady section of the outdoor cathedral, Sobiechowski, standing in the sun, said he found the day quite cold because of the wind blowing across the altar that day.

“God watches over his people,” he said.

The Mass honored those who serve in uniform, including military, police, firefighters and medical workers.

“For their safety and for their blessings today and for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for the blessings upon our Eastern Diocese,” Sobiechowski said, as he began the Mass.

After the Gospel, the Rev. Andrzej Tenus gave a homily in which he preached about the importance of using the gifts God bestows to serve others, the way those in uniform do.

“If you think life is about making a lot of money, retiring, then dying, you miss the point of your life,” he said.

“Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating God's grace in its various forms,” Tenus said, quoting St. Peter.

Chief Maloney recalled

Bedford police Officer Stefan Swiadas attended the Mass in his uniform, and as part of the procession and recession during the Mass carried the cross.

During a call for prayers, Swiadas asked that Greenland's fallen Police Chief Michael Maloney be remembered.

Joey Grieve, 11, of Andover, Mass., sang two solos during the Mass. He is a member of St. Casimir's Parish in Lowell, Mass. His mother, Cheryl Grieve, said they have been attending the annual Mass for the past four years.

“It's really nice, the New England states getting together in fellowship,” Cheryl Grieve said.

After the Mass, church members shared a meal together at the Hidden Hills Banquet Hall in Rindge.