Dear Visitors and People of the Diocese of Orange,
Thank you for joining us for the historic Dedication of Christ Cathedral.
As a seventh-generation descendant of the early California rancho families, I am grateful to have had a part in preserving the long legacy of holiness that is Christ Cathedral. My roots run deep in the Southern California soil and I am so pleased as a Californian and Orange County native to have the privilege of carrying on the legacy of such a beautiful, sacred place.
Soon after I was named Rector of Christ Cathedral, I had the rare and special opportunity to meet the Rev. Robert H. Schuller and to hear him declare his gratitude that, thanks to the Catholic Church’s purchase of the Crystal Cathedral, it will remain “a place for Christ Forever.”
Ever since that first meeting, “For Christ Forever” has been the motto and inspiration for those of us tasked with the efforts required during the past seven years to transform this iconic house of worship and its serene grounds into Christ Cathedral, now a West Coast center of Catholic worship and the seat of the Bishop of Orange.
So many people have poured hundreds of thousands of hours into the transformation of Christ Cathedral, along with the ongoing prayers and fervent intentions of numerous faithful Catholics and non-Catholics alike, here in Southern California and, indeed, across the world.
We take our mission of evangelization seriously and will go forth from this thrilling dedication day, intoning “For Christ Forever” as fervent missionaries proclaiming our love for Jesus and for our Catholic faith.
We are so happy you are here to share in the history of this incredibly special place, its present-day transformation into Christ Cathedral and its future as a beacon of faith for all!