Community: St. Robert’s new ministry supports first responders

There’s a new ministry at St. Robert Bellarmine Church and its purpose is to boost morale of Burbank police and fire first responders.

Church members and husband and wife Brian and Courtney Ulrich are at the helm of S.I.R.E.N., which is an acronym for Supplication, Intercession, Rosaries, Encouragement and Needs.

The couple saw a need for the ministry after reading local newspaper reports that surveys showed morale was low in the Burbank Police Department.

Each word relates to what the group hopes to provide. Supplication and Intercession are both about prayer, Courtney Ulrich said.

“We want a just and fair police department, but we also want to intercede on their behalf for their protection and make sure we have a community that supports them,” she said. “We don’t want their morale to be [low]. We want them to be proud of being a part of our community.”

A unique part of the ministry is that members create handmade rosaries that are blessed by a priest. Rosaries were presented to several members of the Burbank Police Department as part of a celebration of the feast day of St. Michael, the patron saint of police officers.

There was a Mass held in the department’s honor at St. Robert’s Church, followed by a reception in the courtyard. Dad’s Donuts donated 17 dozen of the delectable delights and two local Starbucks provided coffee and cups.

“The rosaries are designed for police officers and the beads are blue,” Courtney Ulrich said. “We pray lovingly over each bead as they are being put together.”

The couple’s daughter, Luda Ulrich, is a cadet with the Burbank Police Department, so as parents of a prospective officer, they wanted to create a way to support first responders.

Another Mass honoring the Burbank Fire Department will be held in May on the feast day of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters.

Ministry volunteers raised funds for the rosaries with a bake sale and children’s boutique.

They also made gift boxes for the police filled with hygiene items such as lip balm and hand sanitizer. The boxes included a wooden cross made by a group in Portland, Ore., led by Doug Naimo, who is a nephew of Bea Lockwood, a ministry member.

The ministry’s focus is on the local community, but members also raise funds for those in need in other states. Recently, they took up a special collection at the church, which was split between first responders and victims of the hurricane in Houston, Brian Ulrich said.

“In one precinct, they said that 80% of their firefighters had lost their own homes,” he said. “They were out working, and they were volunteer firefighters, so they were not being paid. On top of that, they were fueling up their trucks out of their own pocket.”

Leading the group of officers and staff attending the Mass at St. Robert’s Church was Burbank Police Capt. Eric Deroian, a 27-year police veteran who has served five years with the local department.

Deroian said the Mass held in honor of the police department shows what a supportive community Burbank is.

“This was just wonderful for them to bring us into their church and offer support to our police officers and their families in these times,” he said. “It makes us want to engage with the community more. It feels like a family here in Burbank.”

Brian Ulrich, who recently converted to Catholicism, credits “Star Wars” for the rosaries. Every Jedi has to construct his own light saber to complete his training, so the ministry leader thought he should learn how to make his own rosary and found instructions on YouTube.

All of the beads are made of natural materials, such as agate.

“That’s the joy of it — making it with nice things and finding someone who needs or wants one and giving it away,” he said

Another element of the ministry is the Golden Girls Cookie Brigade, co-chaired by Sally Peterson and Doris Owings.

Once a month, eight volunteers make four dozen cookies that are delivered to the Burbank police and fire headquarters and the six fire stations.

“We hope that our sweet treats will let the first responders know that they are appreciated for their service and bravery in action,” Peterson said.

Fire Capt. Mike Malloy and police officer Paul Lin accepted the cookies delivered earlier this month at the downtown headquarters.

“It’s very nice that the community supports its emergency services,” Malloy said. “It gives you a warm feeling in your heart and it’s much appreciated.”

“It’s really awesome!” Lin said about the cookie delivery. “Myself, as well as other officers and employees of the department, truly appreciate the community support and it definitely feels good to know that we have people who care for us and what we do.”

To volunteer, prospective Golden Girls can contact Peterson at (818) 843-6263.

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.