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September 27, 2023
Thomas More Society to sponsor annual Red Mass on Oct. 1
REGIONAL
Staff report
SPRINGFIELD – The St. Thomas More Society of Western Massachusetts will sponsor its 22nd Annual Red Mass on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral, 260 State Street, here. The celebrant will be Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne.
The Red Mass is a historical tradition within the Catholic Church invoking the blessing and guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the courts, dating back to the 13th century when it officially opened the term of the court for most European countries.
This important historic tradition was introduced in the U.S. in 1928 in the Church of St. Andrew, located in New York City. The Red Mass is currently celebrated in dioceses throughout the United States to invoke God’s blessing upon the members of the bench, bar, legislature, law enforcement, governmental agencies, and all protectors and administrators of the law.
The St. Thomas More Society is made up of Catholic lawyers, paralegals, judges, clerks, law enforcement agents, and those committed to the administration of justice throughout Western Massachusetts. The director of the society is Springfield Attorney Michael G. McDonough, a partner at the law firm of Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C.
Each year, the society honors members of the legal community who have distinguished themselves by acts of public service and commitment to the law. The honor is not limited only to Catholics. Any person who has demonstrated a commitment to their respective faith and the administration of justice in the community is eligible to receive the award.
“We endeavor to celebrate members of the legal community who are committed to the high ethics required of their profession, the justice system, their faith, and their community,” McDonough said. “We especially look to honor those who give back to their communities.”
This year’s Red Mass honorees will be western Massachusetts Attorney Judith Cross; Attorney Thomas Downey, of the law firm Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley; Northampton Attorney Leonard Jekanowski; Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Probation Officer Paul Kingston; and Attorney Maureen C. Tobin, tax and legal coordinator at Ostberg & Associates Financial Services and Insurance in Northampton.
A brunch will follow the Mass at Twin Hills Country Club. Brunch tickets are $60 and can be purchased by contacting Rhonda Zuccalo at 413.737.0260 or riz@efclaw.com.