Archbishop Edward Gilbert had a simple message for the congregation at the Easter Vigil celebration at the Cathedral: don't be afraid.

“Have confidence in the Word,” he said raising the bible, “…and in the Sacrament of the Eucharist,” he added, pointing to the altar.

Presiding over the Easter Vigil, the archbishop concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Mendes and Cathedral administrator Fr Allan Ventour.

In his homily, he told the congregation Christians connect their life and faith through prayer. He said Christians connect to the resurrection through baptism. Returning to prayer, he said it was “important to be people of prayer” as the power of evil is always operating, “inviting us to compromise our commitment.”

Avoid the occasions of sin, he said. Once again, he reminded the congregation that we are living in a neo-pagan culture, saying many people “dabble in that culture and when they do, it will inevitably change their lives….Don't dabble with temptation.”

He urged the seven candidates about to enter the Church, settle in it, then help to rebuild it. He ended with these words to them: “This is not the end of your journey.” Rejoice, don't be afraid, don't be overconfident, the Archbishop closed.

The archbishop, assisted by Fr Ventour and altar servers, then baptised and confirmed six of the candidates. The seventh was welcomed fully into the Church.

- RS