The Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will host its annual Red Mass for all members of the legal profession at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 1007 Superior Ave., Cleveland, on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center, 127 Public Square, Cleveland will follow the Mass.
The Red Mass traditionally coincides with the beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s fall session. The Mass is sponsored by the Lawyers Guild of Cleveland and the celebrant will be Bishop Edward Malesic, who is also a canon lawyer.
During the luncheon, the Cleveland Lawyers Guild will present the prestigious St. Thomas More Award to Richard M. Knoth, a BakerHostetler partner.
Knoth is a longtime, active parishioner at St. Dominic Parish in Shaker Heights. His career has led him to argue more than 50 appeals in both state and federal courts throughout the United States. With a background in corporate governance and strategy, Knoth often is called upon to represent companies undergoing government investigations.
He is ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of general commercial litigation and is listed in the Best Lawyers of America.
As this year’s honoree, Knoth meets the following criteria for the award: foster spiritual growth and fellowship through the legal community; enhance appreciation for and observance of high ethical standards in the practice of law; encourage attentiveness among lawyers to legal and societal issues that affect morality, justice and faith; exemplifies the qualities of St. Thomas More and other outstanding examples of service to the community.
The Cleveland Lawyers Guild also will present a special recognition award to the St. Ignatius High School Labre Ministry to the homeless. Founded in 2002 by alumni Jim Skerl, ’74, Tim Grady, ’95, and two students Bryan Norton and Bob Snyderburn, both members of the class of 2003. For 20 years, the Labre Ministry has brought meals to men and women living on the streets of Cleveland.
The luncheon will also include a presentation to the winner of the Martin T. Galvin Scholarship. The recipient this year is St. Ignatius High School senior, Ryan Acton, son of Shawn and Amy Acton. This scholarship was established in 2018 by the Lawyers Guild with support from the Reminger Foundation in honor of Galvin, an attorney with Reminger who died after a battle with cancer.
The Red Mass originated in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245 to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the judges of the ecclesiastical courts. The name Red Mass refers to the red robes worn by the judges and the red vestments worn by the priests, since red is the liturgical color associated with the Holy Spirit. The Red Mass was introduced to the United States in 1928 at St. Andrew’s Church in New York City.
For tickets to the September 30 event, contact lpavia@catholiccommunity.org