Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Judges and lawyers from the Diocese of Orlando renewed their oath at the annual Red Mass held on November 7, 2025, at St. James Cathedral. A group of students from All Souls Catholic School attended the event to meet legal professionals serving Central Florida.

The students are enrolled in an elective course focused on basic principles of criminal law. Michael Jennings, their teacher, accompanied them along with Anna Pecoraro McCorkle, a local appellate attorney who taught a class of seventh- and eighth-graders about legal practice.

McCorkle, who is also a parent of two alumni from the school, spoke about her motivation for teaching the course. “I had an idea of trying to explain to young people the importance of understanding our laws and how they intersect with our Catholic faith,” she said.

The curriculum included discussions on why the Ten Commandments remain relevant to modern law and explored the role of St. Thomas More as the patron saint of lawyers and judges.

“When we look at what’s important in our society — the fact that we should not take from other people, we should not bear false witness against others, that we should respect relationships, that we should keep our thoughts pure‚ these are all things that allow a society to work at its foundation,” McCorkle said. “And throughout history, you can see the echoes of the 10 Commandments throughout the written laws about respecting others, respecting yourself, and ensuring at the core of it, that you are doing what is right and good.”

This semester marked the first time All Souls offered this course. McCorkle expressed her appreciation for the students’ engagement and indicated she would consider teaching again if possible.

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and includes 79 parishes, 11 missions, two basilicas, and 43 Catholic schools across several counties in Central Florida. The diocese is led by Bishop James Noonan.