“Everyone is loved by God, even the difficult ones, and I know you encounter some of them from time to time in your profession,” Bishop Edward Malesic told members of the legal community as they gathered for the annual Red Mass on Oct. 18 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
The event was presented by the Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Cleveland. Following Mass, the group moved to the Marriott Key Tower in downtown Cleveland for the St. Thomas More Award Luncheon. Attorney Douglas Maser of St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville, received the guild’s prestigious St. Thomas More Award.
A special recognition award was presented to Zelie’s Home, a ministry that empowers pregnant and parenting women to take positive and effective action on behalf of themselves and their children by providing physical, emotional, spiritual and professional support. Accepting the award was Andrew Frawley, board chair. Erin Hathaway is executive director of Zelie’s Home, which has homes in Garfield Heights and Lakewood. Frawley told the lunch audience that as of Oct. 18, both homes were at capacity.
(See photo gallery above.)
Two Magnificat High School juniors – Mikaela Davis and Isabela Loeffler – received Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarships. The scholarship is named after Galvin, an attorney with the Reminger law firm and a past president of the Lawyers Guild who died in 2018 after battling cancer. It was renamed the Martin T. and Tracy N. Galvin Memorial Scholarship in honor of Galvin’s wife, who also lost a battle with cancer recently.
At the Mass, which was concelebrated by several priests, including Father Gary Yanus, diocesan judicial vicar, Father Ryan Mann, St. Basil pastor, and Father Walt Jenne, St. Basil pastor emeritus, Bishop Malesic noted the clergy wore red vestments and the judges in attendance had red sashes signifying the martyrdom of St. Thomas More, patron saint of the legal profession, who died rather than denounce his Catholic faith. It also was the feast day of St. Luke, another martyr.
“The red might also be a nod to the Cleveland Guardians,” the bishop quipped, noting they had a playoff game that night down the street at Progressive Field.
There is a great need for unity and love, the bishop told the congregation adding, “There is too much hatred out there.”
He recalled his recent stint on jury duty, saying he likely could have been excused, but wanted to take on the responsibility because “I am a citizen just like you. And as a canon lawyer myself, I am honored to be here with you today.”
When he speaks to confirmation classes, the bishop said he reminds them the everyone is part of God’s plan. “He knows how we work. He is the author of life.”
And when we don’t follow God’s plan, bad things like war can result. “Love is a decision to live in the image of the divine. We should love one another as we’ve been loved by God. That is our calling,” he said.
“However, sometimes love requires us to mete out punishment, but it’s done with the hope of rehabilitation,” the bishop added. “The salvation of souls must be our goal.”
He said it’s easier to hate if people are separated into “us and them,” explaining the devil is present in division. “Resist him,” he added.
To be a servant of others is to also be a servant of God, the bishop said. “We try to be of service to quell hatred and bring peace. Civility must be captured and regained. We come to this Red Mass to ask God’s help and to see a year of favor from the Lord by asking for God’s blessing and guidance for the things that matter to us. Ask for help to see your true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. Everyone is loved by God.”
After being presented by retired Judge Jennifer Weiler for the St. Thomas More Award, Maser began his acceptance remarks by offering thanks to God, the Blessed Mother and his wife Joan, as well as to the bishop. the Lawyers Guild and all who helped coordinate the day’s events.
An Army veteran, Maser said he really began to serve God after leaving the service. He provides pro bono (free) legal work for the homeless and those at risk at the Cosgrove Center in Cleveland, a ministry of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. He also is active with many ministries in his parish including Christ Renews His Parish and Alpha. He also was a member of the core team that organized an internationally known conference sponsored by the JPII Healing Center and is a former board member and former chair of Young Catholic Professionals. In addition, he and his wife are active with the diocese’s St. John the Evangelist Leadership Guild. They are former members of the Cleveland Chapter of Legatus.
“This is not my lifetime achievement award,” Maser said. “I still have much work to do. God wants you to serve his people in whatever you do. He wants you to serve others, but he wants to do it with you. And to do that, you must speak to him and listen to him.”
Maser said God brought good people into his life “to teach me to surrender … Love everyone you meet into heaven. That’s my mission and I urge you to make it yours, also.”
Scholarship winner Mickaela runs cross country and track and field She also participates in Students in Medicine, Model UN and Chemistry Club as well as volunteering at University Hospitals.
Isabella is a member of Students in Medicine, STEM Club and the Ambassadors Club. She runs cross country and track and is co-founder of Helping Huron. She also has a black belt in tae kwon do.
Before blessing the group and dispersal, Bishop Malesic offered his congratulations to the honorees and reminded them “You are blessed people. We are blessed to be a blessing for others. Jesus gave us two important words: ‘come’ and ‘go.’ Go and spread the good news. This is the Church at its best where civility, peace and respect come together as we serve God.”
Learn more about the Martin T. and Tracy N. Galvin Memorial Scholarship, including how to apply and how to make a donation, here. Click here for information on Zelie’s Home.
Details on the Lawyers Guild can be found here.