St. Thomas More Guild of Western New York
"The King’s good servant, but God’s first."
About
The St. Thomas More Guild of Western New York is an association of Catholic lawyers officially recognized by the Diocese of Buffalo. We support lawyers in applying their faith to the challenges of professional and personal life. The St. Thomas More Guild invites all judges, lawyers, paralegals, law students, and all others associated with the administration of justice in the Diocese to join in its activities. The Guild has given scholarships to Catholic grammar, high school, college, and law school students.
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St. Thomas More (b. 1478, d. 1535), Lord Chancellor of England, was the highest law officer of King Henry VIII. He gave up his office, and later his life, to remain true to God and his conscience. During his life, he was known for his sociability, sense of humor, integrity, and faith as well as his sense of obligation to active citizenship and statesmanship. Today, he is the patron saint of lawyers.
Events
Annual Luncheon
Postponed Due To Coronavirus
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
Each Spring, the Guild sponsors the St. Thomas More Guild Luncheon where an individual is honored for his or her outstanding contribution as a Catholic lawyer. Scholarship recipients will also be honored at the Luncheon.
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This year, the St. Thomas More Guild will recognize Hon. H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., United States Magistrate for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. The Guest Speaker will be Rev. Matt Malone, S.J., Editor of America Magazine.
Annual Red Mass
September 2020 (Date TBD) at 12:10 PM
St. Joseph Cathedral
Each Fall, the Guild sponsors the Annual Red Mass in honor of St. Thomas More, the patron saint of the legal profession, to ask for divine guidance in the proper administration of justice.
Scholarships
Grade School and High School Scholarship
One $1,000.00 scholarship will be awarded to a student attending a Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Buffalo. One $1,500.00 scholarship will be awarded to a student attending a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Buffalo.
University and Law School Scholarship
One $2,000.00 scholarship will be awarded to a student attending either a Catholic college or an ABA accredited law school. The student should be domiciled in the Diocese of Buffalo and be a practicing Catholic.
Membership
Welcome to the St. Thomas More Guild of Western New York
The St. Thomas More Guild is an association of Catholic lawyers officially recognized by the Diocese of Buffalo. We support lawyers in applying their faith to the challenges of professional and personal life. The annual membership fee is $25.00.
Officers and Board of Directors
President
Donna Hoelscher Suchan
Vice President
Catherine Dines Kettner
Secretary
Katherine M. Liebner
Treasurer
David C. Mineo
Board of Directors
Mary M. Balkin
Laurie Styka Bloom
James J. Contino
Cornelia Farley
Timothy P. Kucinski
J. Michael Lennon II
Chloe J. Macdonald
Hon. Patricia Maxwell
Royston Mendonza
Hon. Mary L. Slisz