Cardinal O’Malley celebrates annual Red Mass at St. Patrick, Bridge

The Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, re-established in 2001, marked its 25th anniversary with the annual Red Mass and awards luncheon on Oct. 30. Due to construction in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, St. Patrick Parish with St. Malachi Oratory on Bridge Avenue hosted the liturgy.

Robed judges, clergy, Lawyers Guild and diocesan tribunal officials as well as representatives of the Knights and Dames of Malta posed for the traditional group photo before processing into the church for the Mass.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap, retired archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts, and a native of Lakewood, was the principal celebrant of the liturgy. Concelebrants included Bishop Edward Malesic, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Father Gary Yanus, diocesan judicial vicar, Father Gerald Bednar, Lawyers Guild chaplain, Father Michael Gurnick, St. Patrick/St, Malachi pastor, and several other priests, including members of the diocesan tribunal.

The cardinal told those gathered for Mass that he was “happy to be back home,” noting his grandparents were married in St. Patrick Church more than a century ago. He also shared his connection to the Poor Clares Colettine, noting he celebrated his first Mass at their monastery on Rocky River Drive in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood. That congregation and the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration were selected by the Lawyers Guild to receive a special recognition award this year.

There are two things that can help make a person successful, according to Cardinal O’Malley. First, being born in Ohio and spending at least your early years here and choosing good parents, he quipped, noting both were true for him – and the Wright brothers.

The cardinal said science can teach us much about the world around us, but not about the meaning of life. “Discover God and discover who we are … Every person is important,” he said, adding that each of us is made in the image and likeness of God. “See that clearly and you’ll find the path to justice, to truth and to a better world … Democracy thrives when people have a deep sense of community and a desire to sacrifice for the good of others.”

After Mass, the group traveled to the nearby Marriott Key Tower for the awards banquet where Robert Hager, partner and co-chair, business and tort litigation group at Brennan, Manna & Diamond, received the prestigious St. Thomas More Award.

Hager was instrumental in re-establishing the Lawyers Guild and reinstituting the Red Mass with the late Auxiliary Bishop A. James Quinn. He is a graduate of St. Ambrose School, Padua Franciscan High School and John Carroll University. Hager earned his law degree from Cleveland State University College of Law. Hager is founder of the St. Barnabas Parish Men’s Renew Group, served two years on the Walsh Jesuit High School Board of Directors, two terms on the Jesuit Retreat Center Board of Directors and was a nine-year member of the John Carroll University Board of Directors.

Hager and his wife Mary are members of St. Noel Parish, where he serves on the finance committee. They have four daughters.

“As lawyers, we have an opportunity to become great humanitarians for others,” Hager said, noting we are called to servant leadership.

Recipients of the 2026 Martin T. and Tracy Galvin Memorial Scholarships were Cassie Cicarella, Magnificat High School junior, and Maximillian Reagan, Saint Ignatius High School sophomore.

Daniel Thiel, Lawyers Guild president, presented the awards.

Bishop Malesic also offered brief remarks, congratulating the honorees and offering a closing prayer.

Click here to learn more about the Lawyers Guild.