Stonehill President Rev. Mark T. Cregan, C.S.C. to Serve as Homilist for Annual Red Mass
October 29, 2010
The Herald News
Bishop George Coleman will be principal celebrant of the Fall River Diocese's annual Red Mass at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7, at St. Mary's Cathedral.
A long-standing tradition in the church, the Red Mass is sponsored each year by the diocese to invoke God's guidance and strength on those who work to provide justice in the legal system. Judges, attorneys and court personnel are invited to attend.
Homilist for the Red Mass will be Holy Cross Father Mark Cregan, president of Stonehill College in North Easton and a practicing attorney.
In keeping with tradition in the diocese, the Red Mass will conclude with the presentation of the St. Thomas More Award to members of the area's legal community to recognize dedicated service.
Selected for the honor this year are, as distinguished jurists, are Retired Judge Antone Aguiar Jr. of Swansea and retired Judge John O'Neil of Fall River, both former first justices of Fall River District Court. Selected as distinguished attorney is Bruce Gilmore of Barnstable. The selected distinguished court employee is Gladys Fermino of New Bedford, recently retired operations supervisor of New Bedford District Court. Lastly, selected as distinguished recipient of the ecumenical award is Father Cregan of Stonehill College.
Recipients were nominated for the award by a committee of judges, attorneys, court personnel and priests from across the diocese, chaired by New Bedford Attorney Michael Harrington. He continues the work begun by his uncle, longtime Red Mass planning committee chairman Attorney Joseph Harrington, who died in late August.
This year, to recognize the creation in February of the University of Massachusetts School of Law in Dartmouth, the planning committee has extended an invitation to Chancellor Dr. Jean MacCormack and Dean Robert Ward Jr. to be special guests at the Red Mass and the reception that will follow.
The Red Mass derives its name from the color of the vestments customarily worn during the liturgy, which is formally the Mass of the Holy Spirit, who, as the source of wisdom and understanding, is invoked upon those in attendance.
All are welcome at the Red Mass. To obtain a ticket for the reception to follow, contact Harrington at 508-994-5900.
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