2007 Red Mass - Diocese of Dallas

2007 Red Mass

Hosted by the St. Thomas More Society - Diocese of Dallas Chapter

Dear Fellow Attorneys and Friends of the St. Thomas More Society:

The annual Red Mass honoring members of the legal profession will be celebrated on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, 2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas. The Red Mass will be celebrated and the homily preached by Bishop Kevin Farrell.

The Mass will be followed by a cocktail reception (cash bar) and dinner (black tie optional) across the street from the Cathedral in the Sky Lobby of the Dallas Petroleum Club, 2200 Ross Avenue, 39th Floor, Dallas, Texas. Space is limited, so please return the enclosed registration form as soon as possible.

We are extremely pleased that Greg Abbott, the Attorney General of Texas, has agreed to deliver the keynote speech following the dinner. There is a charge to attend the dinner. The dinner includes dessert and wine served with the meal. Included in the price of the dinner is convenient parking for both the Red Mass and the reception-dinner in the underground parking garage of the Chase Tower. A discounted rate is available for judges, lawyers in public service (e.g., lawyers employed by governmental units or agencies) and their spouses/guests, as reflected on the enclosed registration form.

The Red Mass is the only ecumenical religious event of the year offered for the entire Judaeo-Christian legal community in the Dallas area. All members of the judiciary, the bar, law faculty, their families and staffs are invited to join in this solemn religious ceremony invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the deliberations of the courts and in the endeavors of all members of the legal profession in the administration of justice.

The beautiful custom of the Red Mass began in Europe in the 13th century, principally in France, Italy and England. The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in 1245 in Paris. For many centuries, the Red Mass was said in La Sainte Chapelle, which was built by King Louis XIV of France (St. Louis). The Red Mass in Rome has always centered on the Roman Rota, the supreme judicial body of the Roman Catholic Church. The English tradition of the Red Mass began during the reign of Edward I, in approximately the year 1310. The Red Mass in England was originally celebrated in Westminster Abbey at the opening of the Michaelmas term of court.

The name "Red Mass" comes from the color of the vestments of the clergy and the robes of the Lord High Justices and assembled scholars. Judicial robes in Europe were a brilliant scarlet. The academic robes of professors with doctoral degrees were also bright red. The red vestments of the clergy signify that the Mass seeks the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In 1928, the first Red Mass was celebrated in the United States in New York City for the Guild of Catholic Lawyers of New York City. The Red Mass is now celebrated annually in most major metropolitan centers in the United States. The Red Mass is celebrated each October in our nation's capital and attended by the United States Supreme Court, members of Congress and even on occasion the President.

Previous guest speakers/honorees at the Red Mass dinner in Dallas include:

Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.,

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver,

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia,

Judges Edith Clement and the late ReynaJdo Garza of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals,

Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzales,

Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Joseph D. Nolan,

Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas Robert C. McGuire,

the Hon. Henry Hyde,

the late Bowie Kuhn, Esq.,

the late Tom Unis, Esq.,

Hal Tehan, Esq.,

Princeton University Professor Robbie George,

and EWTN television personality Mitch Pacwa, S.J.

Please direct any inquiries to me or the Diocese of Dallas Chapter officers listed on the next page. Please send your registration form and payment to Mike Uhl, the Treasurer.

Sincerely in Christ,

Vincent J. Hess, Esq.
President
St. Thomas More Society - Diocese of Dallas Chapter

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Officers of the St. Thomas More Society - Diocese of Dallas Chapter

Vincent J. Hess, Esq., President
Locke, Liddell & Sapp PLLC
2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 2200
Dallas, Texas 75201
Telephone: 214-740-8732
Fax: 214-740-8800
Email: vhess@lockeliddell.com


Mark D. Cronenwett, Esq., Vice President
Cowles & Thompson, LLP
901 Main Street, Suite 4000
Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214)672-2159
Fax: (214)672-2359
Email: mCTonenwett@cowlesthomDSon.com


S. Cass Weiland, Esq., Secretary
Patton Boggs LLP
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3000
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 758-1504
Fax: (214)758-1550
Email: cweiland@pattonboggs.com


Mike Uhl, Esq., Treasurer
Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl LLP
Chateau Plaza
2515 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1400
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214)237-0809
Fax: (214)237-0901
Email: muhl@fhsulaw.com

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RED MASS AND DINNER REGISTRATION FORM

Response requested ASAP because seating is limited.

Name (s):
Address:
Phone Number:
email:
Please check all that apply:

I am currently a dues-paying member of the St. Thomas More Society of Dallas.

I am not currently a dues-paying member of the St. Thomas More Society of Dallas, but
have enclosed a check for $40 to cover dues through December 31,2007.

I/we will attend the Red Mass at 5:30 p.m. on October 13,2007, at the Cathedral Shrine
of the Virgin of Guadalupe, but will be unable to attend the reception and dinner.

I/we will attend the Red Mass and the reception and dinner (black tie optional)
immediately following the Red Mass in the Sky Lobby of the Dallas Petroleum Club.

My law firm is interested in being a name sponsor of the Red Mass dinner. (A member
of the Society's Board will contact you.)

I will be unable to attend the Red Mass and dinner, but enclosed is my donation in the
amount of $ to help cover expenses.

I would also like to sponsor one or more members of the clergy for the dinner:
one ($75) two ($150) other ($ )

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: St. Thomas More Society
Please return to: Mike Uhl, Esq.
Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl, LLP
Chateau Plaza
2515 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1400
Dallas, Texas 75201