Dear Cathedral Family,
When Peter addresses the gathered crowd after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, as recounted in Acts, he preaches so compellingly that 3000 people were added to the believers and then baptized. We won’t have quite that many this Sunday, but it will be a great day in the life of the church.
This Sunday marks the 18th anniversary of Christ Church becoming the cathedral church of our diocese on April 23, 2005. On or around this date each year, we enjoy our bishop’s annual parochial visit for baptisms, confirmations and receptions. It is a time for recalling the best of bonds that we enjoy in the unity of the wider church. This year, as Bishop Russell is away for his sabbatical time, The Right Reverend Steven Miller, Bishop of Milwaukee, retired, will be with us to baptize two new children of God, confirm eight young people, and receive six adults into our communion. We will enjoy a special time of hospitality afterwards. Jesus will be present and known to us in the breaking of bread at the Eucharist, as well as in the Body gathered together in love and fellowship.
The Gospel for this Sunday recounts Jesus’ appearance to his disciples on the road to Emmaus, where we walks and talks with them, opening the scriptures to them along the way. Only later at supper, when Jesus takes the bread, breaks it and gives it to them, are their eyes opened to see and recognize the Risen Lord. Then, they ask, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road?” And they cannot help but share with everyone the way Jesus was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Sharing the Good News of the living God who is present within and among us is how the Body of Christ grows and thrives. I hope that you will be present Sunday to be part of that life and growth, and know Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
Faithfully,
Beverly+
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