Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle 

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My dear parishioners and friends,

Lent is almost here! It begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17. As we were preparing for Lent last year, the dangers of COVID-19 were steadily coming into focus. It was a time of uncertainty, yet Lent offered us hope―a time to give thanks to God for his love, comfort and mercy amid the challenges the world brings us. This year Lent gives us a renewed sense of hope, knowing that as uncertainty continues, so does God’s sacrificial love for us.

As Christians we believe that Jesus shared his life with us; he is our friend, brother, and companion. This is the hope that awakens us each day. This is the power that spurs us on with enthusiasm. This is our hope: to live in light, in the light of Jesus.

We need Lent this year more than ever. We are challenged as a nation. In our deeply divided country there is a great need for civility, dialogue, and peaceful expression of concerns. Respect for one another and a willingness to dialogue and learn from one another are essential. There is no other way if we are to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While the future is unknown, this much is certain: the high priority that St. Matthew’s Cathedral Parish has long placed on serving the poor, the homeless, the marginalized and advocating on their behalf will not change. Nor will our commitment to reaching out to immigrants and refugees, documented or undocumented, or to fighting racism and sexism, or to forming our young people in the faith.

We are challenged as Catholics. Mass attendance is limited, and many participate virtually. Yes, we hear and reflect on the Sunday Word, and listen to the music. However, we really miss the Eucharist. Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is an essential part of the Mass. I hear from some how easy it is to let Sunday pass without thinking of the community celebration of the Mass. And for those who are able to attend―masks, sanitizing, safe distancing, no singing by the assembly or drinking from the cup―the experience is so different. These months have been rough. How do we continue as Church? How do we maintain our faith? We wait, pray, and hope. But we still question. Where is Jesus in all of this?

We need a renewed personal encounter with Jesus, who IS here, next to us, reaching out to us with open arms. Jesus is our only real hope. We look to the future, with Jesus. We work together towards a renewed Church right here in our midst. Let us join together this Lent in prayer and fellowship, reaching out to those hurting, sick, or in need, survivors, those who feel hopeless or abandoned. Let us join together with Jesus. Let us not waste this Lent, a season of grace and of hope leading to new life and resurrection! Now is indeed the acceptable time to hear the call to move on from darkness to new life―the theme of our February 20 Virtual Lenten Retreat.

Last Fall I wrote to you about our financial challenges. Because of the pandemic our financial contributions were down. We restructured positions, hours, and salaries. Needing hope? You bet!! As your rector I kept looking for it. Thank God for FaithDirect! And then Jesus brought us Advent/Christmas hope fulfilled – you responded!! Hundreds of Cathedral friends responded. Parishioners who had never given became donors. Thank you for providing for so many families and individuals needing food, clothing, and shelter. Thank you for helping to maintain our parish staff who support and lead our liturgical, faith formation and social ministries, and programs for our vibrant Spanish community, and who keep the Cathedral and rectory office going.

Your response gives me great hope of keeping up with our budget needs. I know you will continue to respond, as sustained giving is key to our survival as a parish. I was candid regarding the shortfall and promise always to be upfront. I know you will hold me accountable for my stewardship. Jesus is our ultimate hope, but we are his hands and feet in our homes and workplaces, and in the public square. All are called to commit to good stewardship, giving generously from what we have, recognizing that in the end, all is gift, all is grace.

Are you among the two-thirds of parishioners who have not given a recognizable gift to the parish? If so, I ask – will you please begin to give something from what you have? We need ALL our members. Please, determine what you can give, and enroll in Faith Direct. Sign up here (Church code DC284) or call Pam Erwin at 202-587-5150.

 I am so grateful and sincerely appreciate and continue to count on your support.

There is no better way to heed the clarion call of Lent than to join the Church in the celebration of the liturgies. The prayers and readings―the Liturgy of the Word―and the Liturgy of the Eucharist give us the strength and guidance to journey through the desert to the empty tomb of promise, to rise with Christ on Easter Sunday after having been plunged into his death at our Baptism. If we journey with integrity, then we will arrive at the tomb and see the future, and, indeed, share in his resurrection. Of course, this year only 150 people can be physically present for any single liturgy. But we are looking for hundreds or thousands of you and so many others to join us on YouTube for our livestreamed liturgies. During Holy Week Cardinal Gregory will look forward to seeing you.

On Ash Wednesday, February 17 we will experience a new way to wear the sign of penitence as a reminder of the need for our inner conversion, for the rending of our hearts, not our garments, and for our return to the Lord our God. (Joel 2:13). This year our ashes will be sprinkled on our heads, a way normally used in Europe and in the Vatican, at Masses celebrated at 7am, 9:30am, 12:10pm (Cardinal Gregory, livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Washington YouTube channel), 5:30pm, and 7:30pm (Spanish).

Stations of the Cross in a form prepared by the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle will be videotaped in the Cathedral and available on our YouTube channel beginning on Ash Wednesday for your celebration throughout Lent. We also may celebrate Stations of the Cross in the Cathedral on Good Friday. We will continue to offer Confession by appointment, possibly with a few scheduled Confession times in the Cathedral. Stations of the Cross in Spanish will be celebrated after the 1pm Spanish Mass on Sundays of Lent, followed on several dates by Confessions.

Below is a listing of St. Matthew's Lenten liturgies and events. (Our Holy Week and Easter schedule will be available soon). We hope you will take part in many of the prayer, devotional, faith formation, social justice, and music events - a mix of in-person and online / livestreamed events. Be sure to check our online Lenten events listing for updates in the weeks ahead.

For more information, you are welcome to email me or members of my staff or call us at the rectory office at 202-347-3215 between 10am and 3pm, Monday – Friday. After hours, please leave a voice mail message.

Please keep the staff and me in your prayers and be assured of my prayers for a blessed Lent.

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