DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Faithful from across Brooklyn and Queens gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James for Easter Mass on April 5, leaving many, like Halcyone Bullen-Thomas, hopeful for the future of the Church.
“It’s very inspiring. Christ has risen, and I’ve noticed there are more people attending Mass,” Bullen-Thomas said. “It’s a new season.”
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Following the Mass, Bishop Robert Brennan reflected on the size of the crowd, describing it as living proof of a renewal in the light of Christ’s resurrection.
“It’s very encouraging, and it’s a sign of what we’ve been seeing all around,” Bishop Brennan told The Tablet. “People are making their way, some making their way for the first time, some making their way back, and that’s another sign of hope.”
The Easter Mass was celebrated by Bishop Robert Brennan and concelebrated by Father Joseph Gibino, administrator of the basilica and the diocese’s vicar for evangelization and catechesis.
The Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Brooklyn has reported that 1,288 people — including 683 catechumens and 605 candidates — were fully initiated into the faith at Easter Vigils throughout the diocese.
The basilica has been Anthea Fyde-Gobe’s home parish since 2008. She said she attends Easter Mass as a show of gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
“He was born without sin, and to go through that terrible time, the beating and all of that— he did that for us!” Fyde-Gobe said. “I always come out because he is always great to me, and there’s nobody better than him and his father.”
During his homily, Bishop Brennan reminded the faithful that they never walk alone on their journey of faith as Christ is always with them. He encouraged them to spread the word of Christ’s Resurrection this Easter season.
“The good news of the resurrection fills us with hope and courage right here, right now— Christ is risen; he is alive! He walks with us through life,” Bishop Brennan said. “There is a future — together with each other and with God.”
