Several Springfield area jurists and attorneys joined state and local office holders and politicians at a Red Mass celebrated March 10 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki wore red vestments in honor of the Holy Spirit whose wisdom and guidance is sought for judges, lawyers and civic leaders. Bishop Paprocki, himself a civil and canon lawyer, delivered the homily and expressed his desire that it become an annual opportunity available especially to members of the General Assembly and the Illinois Supreme Court, both of which were in session,
"Occasions such as this Red Mass are an opportunity to share what unites us," said Bishop Paprocki. He referenced a Red Mass he concelebrated in Washington, D.C., that brought together an extraordinary example of "bipartisan" prayer.
Bishop Paprocki, St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild of Springfield and Catholic Conference of Illinois hosted a dinner afterward in the Cathedral Atrium that featured Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas of Naperville.
Justice Thomas' speech entitled "The Lord in the midst of our disappointments," reflected on the good and not-so-good times during his tenure as the star placekicker with the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1984.
"Bob, we're going with the younger guy," legendary coach Mike Ditka told Thomas upon cutting him from the roster in favor of Kevin Butler during pre-season prior to the 1985 season in which the Bears won the Super Bowl. He spoke of how he wanted to clear out his locker and leave while the rest of the Bears were in a team meeting. But when he arrived at his locker, Bears running back Walter Payton was sitting there.
"The greatest football player in my opinion of all time told this broken down kicker what it meant to him to have the ability to play with me for 10 years." Justice Thomas told his audience to flash forward to the year 1999 as Payton was dying. He learned that Payton was at peace with his Lord. "He trusted in Jesus at his death. As great as Walter Payton was, he was the created, not the creator."
Justice Thomas concluded his remarks with words of the self-check he does in the course of his legal work. "As a person of faith, I am certain that by serving God I honor my profession but in serving my profession, do I always honor God?"