Dear Friends,
In the timely book From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, the authors describe St. Peter and the first apostles on the day of Pentecost as “having great confidence in their Lord, in their message, and in the creativity and fertility of the Church.” (From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, 37).
This passage resonates with me in a real way this Easter because it highlights the attitude of one who freely surrenders his or her life to the Lordship of Jesus. It makes being Catholic exciting and life-giving. Through Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, we can live radically different from everyone else. The nightmare of life apart from God can be turned into a joyful new day; an Easter day for all of us!
The early Christians possessed this attitude of extraordinary confidence even despite being overwhelmed by discouragement and crisis in every direction. They were not deterred by the lack of money, or no influence in the prevailing pagan culture, or in not possessing any property. They knew Jesus; that He is Lord; and that he triumphed over Sin, Death, and Satan. For them that was enough! In fact, that was everything! Two thousand years later, we are beneficiaries of their confidence.
To put it more simply, the early Christians had confidence in the Gospel (the explosive news that Jesus has rescued our race from sin and death) and in the Mission (to make disciples of all nations).
Today, we are invited to embrace that same confidence. Building this confidence in the Gospel and in the Mission has been our top priority here at the Cathedral.
By God’s grace and by simply embracing this attitude of apostolic confidence, we have seen our Cathedral community grow. This year alone, we welcome 39 brothers and sisters to the Catholic Church through RCIA—a historical record. Our Feed the Hungry ministry has served over 4,500 meals. We now have a Catholic parish school, where ten students have stepped forward and expressed their desire to become Catholic. We have expanded our Rescue Project experience, equipping our most engaged parishioners invite others. Simply put, the Cathedral is growing and it is growing at lightening speed.
These and even more amazing fruits were born in the lives of all of us. Ask any of our most engaged parishioners and they will be able to recount stories of healing and renewal in their lives.
Ours is a community in which everyone has sold out for Jesus. This Easter, I’d like you to experience the same apostolic confidence that is abounding in our community. I promise that your life will never be the same.
Join us in hearing the Gospel and in embarking on Mission this Easter and beyond. We need you! Christ needs you! Our brothers and sisters who are yet to hear the Gospel need you! Hope is here!
I wish you a Blessed and Happy Easter!
The Very Reverend Brandon E. Macadaeg
Rector of the Cathedral
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