Father Greg Luyet (left), diocesan judicial vicar and chaplain for the St. Thomas More Society of Arkansas, and Msgr. Francis I. Malone, diocesan chancellor for ecclesial affairs and adjutant judicial vicar, approach the altar during the entrance hymn to the Red Mass Oct. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Lawyers, judges and others sing the entrance hymn during the Red Mass Oct. 6. Pictured are: attorney and Arkansas Bar Association president Tony Hilliard (front left); District Judge Butch Hale; Little Rock District Court Judge Vic Fleming; Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Mary McGowan; and Pulaski County Circuit Judge Morgan “Chip” Welch. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde (left), Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, and North Little Rock Mayor’s Chief of Staff Danny Bradley bring the gifts to the altar during the Red Mass. The Mass and reception following is organized by the St. Thomas More Society of Arkansas. (Aprille Hanson photo)

St. Francis County District Judge Steve Routon receives communion from Deacon Matthew Glover, diocesan chancellor for canonical affairs. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Little Rock attorney Shawn Johnson (right), president of the St. Thomas More Society of Arkansas, thanks liturgical artist George Hoelzeman for designing a lapel pin for society members. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Father Greg Luyet gives a blessed lapel pin to Little Rock attorney and St. Thomas More board member Russell Bailey. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Father Luyet blessed the pins, designed by artist George Hoelzeman, at the end of the Red Mass. (Courtesy Shawn Johnson)

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Lawyers, judges, government officials attend Red Mass

Those in law, government urged to be 'instruments of justice and love'

Published: October 14, 2017

By Aprille Hanson
Associate Editor

Aprille Hanson

As the nation’s colors were presented, District Judge Butch Hale (left) and lawyer Tony Hilliard and other lawyers, judges, government officials and law students stand ready to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the 23rd Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock.

Aprille Hanson

The 23rd Red Mass was held for those in law and government Oct. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock. The annual Mass and luncheon are organized by the St. Thomas More Society of Arkansas. Father Greg Luyet, diocesan judicial vicar and chaplain for the society, celebrated the Mass.

In his homily, Father Luyet reminded those in law and political fields that “Each of us have a role. Whether the solitude of our chambers, the solitude of our office or in the public stage, no matter where we go, no matter what we do we are all called to be instruments of justice and love.”

Concelebrants of the Mass were Msgr. Francis I. Malone, diocesan chancellor for ecclesial affairs and adjutant judicial vicar, Father Jack Vu, rector of the Cathedral, and Father Joseph Chan, associate pastor of the Cathedral. Also serving were three deacons who also have law degrees — Deacons Bud Bryant of Pine Bluff and Matthew Glover, diocesan chancellor for canonical affairs, and Bo McAllister, both of Little Rock.

Father Luyet blessed lapel pins, designed by local liturgical artist George Hoelzeman, and handed them out to St. Thomas More members.

At the luncheon following Mass, David Menz, general counsel for the Diocese of Little Rock and founding member of the firm Williams & Anderson, was honored with the St. Thomas More Award.

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