RED MASS

RUMPOLE EXPLAINS: Red Mass is an "idea", a "concept", designed to honor those in our profession who have passed on. I assumed, wrongly, that people would understand that I was proposing a NON-DENOMINATIONAL ceremony to honor our friends who have died. But judging by the number of emails I received, I was wrong. So one New Year vow is to communicate more effectively.

HEY, HERE'S AN IDEA-why not have a non-denominational service where all those who served the legal community and have passed away in the last year are remembered? Gee, that sounds like a good idea. And the best part is, unlike the Red Mass in Washington, DC, this service would be NON-DENOMINATIONAL, meaning all people of all faiths, or no faith, would feel comfortable at the service.

NFL Update below:

FROM WIKIPEDIA:


Red Mass refers to a Mass celebrated annually in the Roman Catholic Church for judges, prosecutors, attorneys, law school professors, students, and government officials. The Mass requests guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who seek justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on what Catholics believe is the God-given power and responsibility of all in the legal profession.

One of the better-known Red Masses is the one celebrated each fall at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. on the Sunday before the first Monday in October (the Supreme Court convenes on the first Monday in October). It is sponsored by the John Carroll Society and attended by Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, the diplomatic corps, the Cabinet and other government departments and sometimes the President of the United States. All officials attend in their capacity as private individuals, rather than as government representatives, to quell arguments with respect to a weakening of the separation of church and state. This logic had greater import in the 1950s when the first services were held, as Catholicism was viewed with greater suspicion than today in the American body politic.
A Red Mass is now celebrated annually in more than half the states of the United States.

Rumpole says, we have had this idea for several years now. A "Red Mass" type remembrance in the large 4th floor courtroom in December for all those attorneys and judges who have passed away during the year. This year we would remember Sy Gaer, Stuart Mishkin, Alvin Goodman, and David Stern.


Who are we forgetting?


Which Judge wants to take this project on with help from a volunteer from the FACDL?

NFL Update: We hit 3 of 4 (naturally) and how th Ravens/Jags didn't even score a field goal in the second half is beyond us- because if they had we would have been 4 for 4. As it is we enter the playoffs 1189 Mangini's up. Right now lock of the week- Your Philadelphia Eagles will beat he Vikes in Minny. Guaranteed.

It's "snow" nice here in the high Sierras we may never come home.