Monthly Luncheons
There will be no monthly luncheon for the month of October. The Society looks forward to seeing all members at our annual Red Mass.
Joint Event with the Irish American Bar Association
Thursday, October 6, 2017, 6:00pm
University of San Francisco, Downtown Campus
101 Howard Street, San Francisco
The Society is pleased to be partnering with the Irish American Bar Association to host a conversation on the future of the priesthood, and specifically the possibility of marriage for Catholic priests in the age of Pope Francis. The event will be a conversation between STMS member, Phil Kearney, and Father John Coleman, SJ., and it will provide a historical, procedural and practical perspective on this issue. Refreshments will be served after the onehour presentation.
Red Mass
Thursday, October 12, 2017, 5:30pm
Sts. Peter and Paul Church
666 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA
The Red Mass is our largest event of the year and is held annually every October. Please visit our separate event page for more information.
Pope Francis Legal Clinic
The Pope Francis Legal Clinic now has a physical presence within the Oakland Diocese Chancery. The clinic’s space includes a dedicated office, complete with a separate entrance enabling the clinic to meet the needs of clients outside of normal business hours.
The clinic will provide legal advice and representation to residents of the East Bay. Currently, the clinic plans to offer legal advice and representation in the areas of immigration, landlordltenant, and elder law The clinic will also offer a dispute resolution service. Attorneys with experience in any practice area are encouraged to volunteer.
For those interested in volunteering with the legal clinic or to RSVP for our next meeting, please contact Nicomedes Herrera.
Recent Events:
September Luncheon
In September, the Society welcomed Joseph Russoniello, former recipient of our St. Thomas More Award and United States Attorney for the Northern District of California. Mr. Russoniello spoke to us about the evolving enforcement priorities of the Department of Justice and expected trajectories under the Trump Administration.
Theology on Tap
The St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco was honored to host Father Kevin O’Brien, Dean of the Santa Clara Jesuit School of Theology, for our summer Theology on Tap event. Father O’Brien led an informed discussion on Pope Francis’s impact on the papacy and the Church. We look forward to hosting Father O’Brien at future events.
June Luncheon
Our June luncheon featured special guest speaker, Dr. Kimberly Richman. Dr. Richman is a leader in the restorative justice movement and spoke to us about social justice issues.
May Luncheon
The St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco was pleased to welcome special guest speaker, James Fox, for our May luncheon. Mr. Fox is the current president of the California State Bar and spoke to us about recent, significant changes to the function and governance of the State Bar.
April Luncheon
In April, the St. Thomas More Society relocated to the DeMarillac Academy in San Francisco, where we enjoyed lunch with students at the school. Special guest speaker, Bill Cartwright, former professional basketball star and head coach of the Chicago Bulls, spoke to us about his career and his faith. We look forward to joining students at the DeMarillac Academy for lunch next year.
Weekly Lenten Series
The St. Thomas More Society was honored to host Don Carroll who spoke to us each week throughout Lent about the signs in John’s Gospel. The signs are certain acts of Jesus (some of which we would call miracles) whose purpose was the revelation of who Jesus was and is.
March Luncheon
In March, John Trasviña, dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law and an executive board member, spoke to us about immigration changes brought by the Trump administration, including the concept of Sanctuary Cities and the University of San Francisco’s efforts to assist immigrants as a Jesuit institution.
February Luncheon
Our February speaker, Dr. Clarence Jones, worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., serving as speechwriter and counsel to Dr. King from 1960 to 1968. He provided an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation about his work with Dr. King and the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States.
January Luncheon
Speakers John Scudder and Tim Szarnicki spoke to us about the Cristo Rey educational program providing young women with a high-quality Catholic college-preparatory education. A thriving Cristo Rey school is located in San Francisco, and the program is working to establish a similar school in Oakland.
Annual Christmas Luncheon
Members of the St. Thomas More Society celebrated the Christmas season with lunch and cocktails at the Family Club. Our new 2017 Executive Board assumed office and members discussed events for the upcoming year.
Theology on Tap, November 29, 2016
Father Gary Thomas, exorcist for the diocese of San Jose, spoke to the Society about the role of exorcists and the history of exorcisms in the Church and remaining vigilant against the presence of evil.
November Luncheon
Msgr. Michael Padazinski, Chaplain and Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Msgr. Padazinski spoke on the vocation and role of Chaplains in the US Military, his own service, and the challenges facing both Chaplains and Catholics who serve in our armed forces.