FAIRFIELD—Judge Thomas Hardiman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit will be the featured speaker at the 2018 Red Mass and Breakfast that will take place on Sunday, October 14, 9 am at the Egan Chapel of Fairfield University, 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield.
Msgr. Thomas Powers, Vicar General of the diocese, will concelebrate the Mass with members of the Jesuit community of Fairfield University. Breakfast will immediately follow in the Oak Room in the campus center.
The public is encouraged to attend the Red Mass along with all attorneys, criminal justice and legal professionals.
“The Red Mass has become a welcome forum for exploring many of the major legal challenges of our day within the framework of Catholic teaching. We’re grateful that Judge Hardiman can join us to share his thoughts on issues of interest to us all. He brings a fascinating life story to his outstanding work as a judge,” said Anne McCrory, Chief Legal and Real Estate Officer of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
The annual Red Mass, celebrated across the country in many dioceses traditionally seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who strive for justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and challenges faced by Catholic legal practitioners.
During the breakfast, the St. Thomas More Award will be presented posthumously to the late Honorable Daniel F. Caruso, former Probate Judge of Fairfield for his service to the diocese and the people of Fairfield County.
Judge Thomas Hardiman
In 2003, at the age of 37, Hardiman was nominated by President George W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; he was confirmed by the Senate by a voice vote. Four years later, Bush nominated Hardiman to the 3rd Circuit, and, after uncontroversial hearings, he was confirmed by a vote of 95-0.
Hardiman was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, and was raised in Waltham. The future judge financed his law degree by driving a taxi. He graduated from Waltham High School and from the University of Notre Dame. He was the first person in his family to go to college as a Notre Dame scholar— a merit-based award given to exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. He earned his law degree at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was Notes and Comments editor of the Georgetown Law Journal in 1990.
Judge Hardiman, 51, was on President Donald Trump’s short list for appointment to the Supreme Court to fill the seat vacated a year ago by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
Thomas Hardiman and his wife Lori have three children; the older two are both students at Notre Dame, and the youngest is a sophomore in high school. Hardiman has headed the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Bishop Caggiano has urged all legal professionals including attorneys, legislators, judges and other legal professionals to attended the Red Mass and consider joining the St. Thomas More Society, an association of Catholic attorneys with a long history of charitable work.
The cost is $50/person. For tickets: click here.
For information email: dtietjen@diobpt.org or call: 203.416.1385.