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Former ambassador to the Vatican Jim Nicholson, colleague Michael Brooks to get awards at Red Massmarriages
By Jean Torkelson
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R. James Nicholson |
Two attorneys with distinguished histories of service in the public square will be honored Sept. 30 at the annual Red Mass and Awards Brunch sponsored by the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Colorado.
R. James Nicholson, a longtime Coloradan whose career has ranged from ambassador to the Holy See to a cabinet post at the White House, will receive the guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his “lifetime contribution to religion, profession and country.”
Nicholson is currently working as an attorney in Washington, D.C. He served as secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2005-2007 and prior to that, as ambassador to the Holy See, where he became known as a strong advocate for global issues involving human dignity.
“Jim Nicholson has long been considered an outstanding individual and deserving of this award because of his service to his Church and his profession,” said attorney Tom Benson. “We’re delighted that he can come to us from Washington to accept this award, which is a great honor for both him and for the guild.”
L. Michael Brooks Jr. is a Denver-born attorney with interests in family law and application of Catholic values to the law. He will receive the St. Thomas More Award for “service to God, country and profession.” The award is named after the 16th-century lawyer and top government official who resisted to death the takeover of the Catholic Church in England by Henry VIII.
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ANNUAL RED MASS AND BRUNCH Date: 10:30 a.m. Sept. 30 Mass: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St., Denver Reception and brunch: 11:45 a.m.: The University Club, 1673 Sherman St. Cost of brunch: $35 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under RSVP: by Sept. 24 to mwaymel@disgenonline.com or 303-531-5523 |
“Like St. Thomas More, Mike is a person of astonishing intellect and integrity who integrates his devotion to his profession, his religion and his family in all he does,” said attorney Suanne Dell. “A better role model for young Catholic attorneys could not be found.”
The purpose of the guild, one of many nationwide, is to promote high standards of religious and ethical ideals in the legal profession
Its most familiar event is the Red Mass, named after a Mass held by Pope Innocent IV in the 13th century to invoke the gifts of the Holy Spirit—symbolized by the color red—on an ecclesiastical court. The Red Mass is held today to ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance on modern legal issues.
In Colorado, the Red Mass is a highly ceremonial gathering where attorneys, judges and members of the legal profession wear their judicial robes to Mass. The public is invited to attend the Mass, held this year at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St., and the brunch that follows at the University Club, 1673 Sherman St. See the accompanying information box for details.
Jean Torkelson: 303-715-3122; www.twitter.com/DCRegister
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