Dear Cathedral Family,
The Baltimore City Circuit Court released on Wednesday a redacted version of the Maryland Attorney General’s report of child sexual abuse by some ministers of the Church as well as the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s past failures in responding to such allegations. First and foremost, we pray for victim-survivors that they may find peace and healing through the merits of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The report is shocking and, indeed, painful to read. The perpetrators who committed such vile acts can be likened to Judas Iscariot in his betrayal of our Lord. Those representatives of the Church betrayed the trust of innocent children and families. But just as the Cross was not the end for Jesus, so too this scourge of sexual abuse in our archdiocese is not the end of our history. Our Lord transformed and overcame suffering and death by His triumphant Resurrection. Through Him, may we emerge from this painful time toward reconciliation, and may we be wholeheartedly committed to the protection of children and the end of abuse in all forms.
Please find Archbishop Lori’s response to the report as well as his pastoral letter "Apology, Healing, & Action: The Church’s Work to Repair Sacred Trust" here: www.archbalt.org/apology-healing-action/
Holy Week Triduum
We find ourselves in the midst of the Paschal Triduum, the culmination of the entire liturgical year. These three days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday/Easter Sunday) are at the epicenter of the liturgical life of the Church. What we celebrate during the Triduum is not simply a re-enactment of events that happened over 2000 years ago, but is actual participation in the events themselves through our living Faith. Every celebration of the Mass is a participation in the saving Paschal Mystery, that is, the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Please consider participating in the remainder of the Triduum. You may find the schedule of liturgies and events here: www.cathedralofmary.org/holy-week-2023.
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
Our children’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Holy Saturday at 10:00 AM sharp on the Cathedral Front Lawn. There is no registration for this event. Please be on time because the eggs go quickly!
Cathedral Colloquium
The upcoming Cathedral Colloquium on Faith and Science will feature four Cathedral parishioners who will speak from their areas of expertise in search of notes of harmony between the two modes of human knowing. Dr. Anton Koekemoer, a Research Astronomer on the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, will present “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God: Faith and Science in Harmony” on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Cathedral Parish Center. No registration is required.
Seek the City to Come Survey
The power of listening continues through the launch of the Seek the City to Come online and paper surveys. Your voice and participation are vital to this process. Please visit www.seekthecity.org. The survey will be open throughout the month of April and offered in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, Polish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog). Feedback from responses will be shared this summer of 2023 along with voices from the Open Prayer Discussions that were held in the fall of last year, and from all 62 parish visits in the City of Baltimore. Thank you for your participation.
As we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection, I wish you and your families a most blessed and joyous Easter. May the grace and joy of the Risen Christ be with you now and always. Happy Easter!
May God bless you.
Father Louis A. Bianco
Rector