In Liberia your relatives and friends dance and sing to celebrate your birthday, but Catherine Gmah just turned 17 and found out how it’s done in Canada.
Several people from the archdeaconry’s refugee sponsorship committee gathered at the Liberian family’s apartment on Catherine’s special day. One arrived with colourful balloons, another carried a beautifully decorated cake, and others brought cards or presents.
Catherine, who can be shy sometimes, was delighted to be the centre of attention.
Anne Hunt and Gail McGillivray from the cathedral lit 17 candles on the cake and explained that a secret wish is made while everyone sings “happy birthday to you” and the candles are blown out. Catherine giggled so much at the whole idea that it took a few breaths to extinguish all the candles. Everyone clapped, and her parents were as pleased as Catherine.
Among other gifts, she received a shawl, a calendar, a bracelet, cash and gift cards to buy clothes or snacks. She had not expected anything like this to happen so soon after Christmas when the whole family received presents from some of the parishes supporting them during their first year in Canada.
They don’t care for some of the food they have tried in Canada, but the whole family likes sweets. Catherine enjoyed the delicious cake and thanked her Canadian friends.
Her Dad, Phillip Weah, shook everyone’s hand in gratitude. He will be the next one to celebrate a birthday as his is in March. Catherine’s mother Esther and her brother Arene have birthdays in April.
01 January – The Naming of Jesus
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
There is a flower springing – Praetorius
German Mass – Schubert
Psalm 8
Infant holy, Infant lowly – Polish Carol arr. Willcocks
155,622,135,148,150
Praeludium in D BuxWV 139 – Buxtehude
08 January – The Baptism of the Lord
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Call to remembrance, 0 Lord – Farrant
Harris in F
Psalm 29
Behold the tabernacle – Harris
627(362),45,385,555,156
Psalm Prelude Set 2, No. 3 – Howells
15 January – Second Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O Praise God in his holiness – Weldon
Mass of St. Denis – Cabena
Psalm 40: 1-12
Bread of the world – Bancroft
162,270,454,455,132
Crown Imperial – Walton
22 January – Third Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
O come, ye servants of the Lord – Tye
Missa l’hora passa – Viadana
Psalm 27:1, 4-11
Exsultate justi – Viadana
157(508),432,546,619,467
Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV 533 – Bach
29 January – Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Matins (BCP)
O Lord, increase our faith – Loosemore
Smith Responses
Psalm 15
Stanford in B flat
439,446,466,438
Grand Choeur in D – Guilmant
Yet again we approach the season in which we celebrate a most central doctrine of belief — the God of the universe came to earth in the flesh of Jesus Christ the Son. The truth of that reality is essential to our living the Christian life in the midst of a world with ever increasing secular values.
It may be of use, as Christians, to take to heart the somewhat familiar and possibly over-used slogan, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Even those most conscientious in faith need to be reminded of that simple fact. We are pushed and pulled in our living environment to begin Christmas celebration, even before the Advent Season of preparation begins, and to end it abruptly late in the evening of Christmas Day. Christmas Day can almost be an anti-climax to the festivities of the season enjoyed in our society.
If we remember the true meaning of the season, we will note with interest and particularity that Jesus was born on Christmas Day and that his coming in time and history changed the world and the way we live in it forever. The fact that God would have such concern for his creation that he himself would take the initiative to enter it in a physical form is almost beyond the possibilities of the imagination. This is the truth that originally made cause for rejoicing and Christians have traditionally taken time to adequately prepare and give serious thought to how they would appropriately mark one more Christmas in their own lives and those of their families. The trimmings we display and the gifts we give are to be symbols of the joy in our hearts placed there by the mystery of the gift of the Incarnation of God among us. Through the symbols and celebration, the observance of that Incarnation continues even two millennia after the original event. If we look intently and prayerfully at our own lives we can see the reality of Incarnation there. Indeed, Jesus IS the reason for the season.
This year the Cathedral will celebrate the reason for the season through corporate worship and the preparation for it. The schedule outlines specific times. You are encouraged, as usual, to make your Communion during this season. If it is impossible to be present due to illness or other cause, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500 <office at christchurchcathedral.com> to make an appointment and schedule a visit with home Communion during this Christmastide.
It is my hope and prayer that you will receive the comfort and joy of Christmas. Have a blessed season!
“When will the snow melt?” asked Phillip Weah anxiously, bewildered by two snowstorms in a week – the first two snowstorms in this Liberian refugee’s life.
“Oh, around Easter,” he was told, but it wasn’t the answer he expected or wanted to hear.
Cold, snowy days are taken for granted by longtime Canadians, but newcomers find the weather amazing. On the positive side, Phillip is seeing outdoor Christmas trees and the exteriors of houses brightly lit for the festive season. This, too, he finds astonishingly beautiful.
He is proud to show off his Christmas tree – another first – to visitors to the family’s cosy apartment. The cathedral congregation donated an artificial tree, all the lights and several boxes of beautiful ornaments.
READY FOR CHRISTMAS – Phillip Weah visits his wife, Esther Gmah, daily in hospital. Daughter Catherine, holding a cheerful teddy bear, told her about the decorated Christmas tree which she is eager to see. She hopes to be home for the holidays.
Catherine Gmah, Phillip’s step-daughter, squealed with delight when she saw the tree and enjoyed decorating it. She caught on quickly. “Not enough,” she announced, pointing to a shortfall of the sparkly garland, which was soon remedied.
It’s fun to see her smile. This year has been full of upheaval. In July the family left a refugee camp in the Ivory Coast to fly to Canada where a warm welcome awaited from several parishes in the diocesan archdeaconry of Fredericton. Still, everything was new, different and often difficult for them.
Currently, Phillip is attending English classes daily at the multicultural association. Thanks to help from church volunteers, he has learned to buy groceries with a debit card and to ride the bus around the city. He was proud to earn some money by raking leaves a number of times at Christ Church Parish Church.
Catherine is attending Fredericton High School, where she is concentrating on learning to read and write. She loves music and joined an African dance group at the multicultural association. Unlike most teenagers, she does all the cooking for the family as well as most of the laundry and some of the cleaning.
MERRY CHRISTMAS – Phillip Weah and Catherine Gmah pose proudly after decorating their first Canadian Christmas tree. The tree, lights, ornaments, Santa hats and the teddy bear were donated by members of the cathedral congregation.
Her older brother, Arene, is also attending FHS, but has had trouble adjusting to schedules, structure, appointments and rules, all of which were unknown to him while living in a refugee camp. He is receiving counselling.
Their mother, Esther, has had the toughest time. In poor health when she arrived in Canada, she has been hospitalized since September, undergoing treatment for numerous infections. Not having Esther at home has been hard on the whole family, but she has made good progress lately. It is hoped that she will be discharged in time for Christmas and can start English classes next year although ongoing physiotherapy will be part of her schedule, too.
Phillip, whose father was a pastor, has worshipped at St. Margaret’s, St. Mary’s York, Parish Church and the Cathedral so far, but he says that he and Esther want to visit all the churches that have helped them financially and prayerfully. A man of deep faith, he is more than grateful for the chance to come to Canada which can offer many more opportunities to his family than the refugee camp.
Please keep them in your prayers this Christmas and in 2017 as they transition towards independence, and please know that they pray for all the people in the parishes helping them.
The total money raised for our sponsored Liberian family’s expenses, through the November 26th auction and additional donations, was over $2,800!
This is a real blessing for the cause with the federal money ending shortly and the bills continuing to come in for rent, electricity, telephone, groceries, etc. We are very grateful to everyone who donated items, volunteered at the event, and who bid on the various treasures (some of which are being modeled in the photo). We are especially thankful for Wendy Brien and her team who worked tirelessly to put this auction together and to pull it off. Well done!
With gratitude,
Ann Deveau
on behalf of the Refugee Sponsorship Committee
10.00 Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O Radix Jesse – plainsong
Addington Service – Shephard
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 This is the record of John – Gibbons
108, 117, 109, 49, 419
March on a Theme of Handel – Guilmant
11 December – Third in Advent
10.00 Choral Eucharist (BCP)
O Rex Gentium – plainsong
Cabena in the Dorian Mode
Psalm 146:4-9 Almighty and everlasting God – Gibbons
111, 270, 375, 48, 306
Toccata – Belier 18 December – Fourth in Advent
10.00 Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O Emmanuel – plainsong
Festive Eucharist – Rawsthorne
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Blake’s Cradle Song – Vaughan Williams
98, 88, 106, 96, 101
Toccata and Fugue in modo dorico BWV 538 – Bach
4.00 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Once in royal David’s city
Torches – Joubert
Adam lay ybounden – Ord
Ding! Dong! merrily on high – arr. Wood
Resonet in laudibus – Handl
How far is it to Bethlehem? – arr. Willcocks
O little town of Bethlehem
Nova! – Drinkell
In the bleak midwinter – Darke
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Nativity Carol – Rutter
Unto us is born a Son
Bethlehem Down – Warlock
On this day – Haldane Stewart
O come, all ye faithful
Hark! the herald angels sing
Toccata-PreludeVom Himmel hoch – Edmondson
24 December – Christmas Eve
11.00pm Midnight Eucharist of Christmas (BCP)
Ding! Dong! Merrily on high – arr. Wood
Messe de Minuit pour Noël – Charpentier
Psalm 96
Carols
118, 119, 136, 121, 138
Dieu parmi nous – Messiaen
In the Spring of 2009, I travelled with Bishop Bill Hockin to St. Gertrude’s Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock, N.B. As we arrived, we noticed the parking lot was full. Upon entering the church, we found a large, ecumenical audience awaiting the introduction of Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. He spoke all morning, and related effortlessly with his audience. As he shared intriguing personal anecdotes and recounted stories from his own life-experience, Rolheiser emphasized the deep desire of many people for an authentic relationship with God. He called it a “holy longing.”
Ronald Rolheiser
Earlier that week, in Fredericton, Rolheiser had been the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from St. Thomas University. He also delivered STU’s Spring 2009 Convocation Address.
Born on a farm in Cactus Lake, Saskatchewan, ordained as a Catholic priest in 1972, Ronald Rolheiser has a long affiliation with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. His formal education saw him earn a B.A. (University of Ottawa, 1969), B.Th. (Newman Theological College, 1973), M.A. (University of San Francisco, 1974), M.R.Sc (University of Louvain, 1982) and PhD (University of Louvain, 1983). Currently, Rolheiser serves as President of the Oblate School of Theology, a Catholic graduate school for theological studies located in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1982 while living and studying in Belgium, he began to write a regular column in the Canadian newspaper, The Western Catholic Reporter. These columns featured reflections on theological, Biblical and secular issues. Choosing to call his column, In Exile, Fr. Ron wrote:
All of us live our lives in exile. We live in our separate riddles, partially separated from God, each other, and even from ourselves. We experience some love, some community, some peace, but never these in their fullness. Our senses, egocentricity, and human nature place a veil between us and full love, full community, and full peace. We live, truly, as in a riddle: The God who is omnipresent cannot be sensed; others, who are as real as ourselves, are always partially distanced and unreal; and we are, in the end, fundamentally a mystery even to ourselves.
Rolheiser’s weekly columns offered down-to-earth observations connecting theology, church history, The Bible and contemporary issues. Since its inception 34 years ago, 2000 commentaries have been posted online, each approximately 850 words in length. Currently, Rolheiser’s work is carried in over 80 newspapers worldwide. At once, provocative and pastoral, his writing explores key themes in Christian spirituality, including the Trinity, World Religions, Christianity and Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Existentialism, Mysticism, contemporary spirituality tied to the pressing questions of today (ecology, feminism, masculine spirituality, cultural change).
His 2014 book titled Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity (Image Book, Random House) received the highest award for a hardcover book from the Catholic Press Association. His 1999 book, The Holy Longing: The Search For A Christian Spirituality (Doubleday, New York) is considered by many to be a modern classic. Rolheiser writes for a diverse ecumenical audience. But his weekly on-line columns may be less well known to non-Catholic readers. His website, Ronald Rolheiser’s Column Archives offers an engaging collection of short articles suitable for either personal reflection or for educational reading on Christian topics and issues. The website includes a Search function which allows readers to explore a wide range of topics. For example, here is a selection of just 15 titles from the 2016 column-archives:
Our Christmas Angel program has begun! Please help us provide gifts for needy children in the Fredericton area. 🙂
Paper angels from the Fredericton Food Bank are waiting to be chosen from small trees in the Cathedral and in the hall foyer. Each angel indicates a gift or stocking stuffers for a needy boy or girl of a specific age.
Unwrapped gifts, with the paper angels firmly attached, should be brought to the church or the hall by SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th. Drop-off boxes are set up near the angel trees.
If you cannot bring your gift on time, please take it to the drop-off box in the hall no later than Monday, December 5th. It might seem early, but it is the deadline for the Cathedral Outreach Committee to deliver the gifts to the Food Bank volunteers, who will then distribute the gifts to the children’s parents to be wrapped.
If you prefer to donate money instead of toys or stocking stuffers, please write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. Your cheque or cash should reach the church office by Friday, December 16th. These funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Transition House and the Fredericton Community Kitchen.
The Outreach Committee thanks you for your generous support in making Christmas special for needy families in our community!
On the celebration of the last Sunday of the Church year, the Reign of Christ (20 November 2016) the Cathedral took advantage of the opportunity to focus on the many ways the Christian community lives out the reality of the Kingdom of God in the midst of the world in which we live. That day we commissioned the ministries that exist among us. Three new members of staff were commissioned to their respective duties. New servers, administrators of the reserved Sacrament at home and, leaders of the daily offices at the Cathedral (8:45 am and 4:45 pm, Monday – Friday) were also commissioned to all important ways that members of the Cathedral community minister the Gospel in many and various ways. An additional commissioning for all other ongoing and existing ministries was part of the celebration.
The Dean of Fredericton made reference to our fragmentation as a congregation, the result of the advantage of a diverse worship experience on a normal Sunday morning. We enjoy comprehensive worship, providing a wide range of liturgical style, but we are ultimately left with a situation where we don’t always know one another as we could or should. The worship on 20 November was a combined worship, incorporating all of our styles into one.
Members of staff commissioned:
Cathedral Sexton (full-time): Louis McKnight Lou has spent most of his life in Sussex, where he was born. He spent 33 years working for the Town of Sussex, both as a recreation maintenance man at the arena, and as an equipment operator at the works garage. He and his wife, Gisele (diocesan communications officer) moved to the Fredericton area in 2012 for Gisele’s work. Since then, Lou has worked at the Grant Harvey Centre and Kings Landing. He is very happy to be the Cathedral sexton. He loves to tinker and tear things apart in his garage. He is a whiz with bicycle and lawn mower repair and loves to build and fix things. His favourite “toy” is his 4-wheeler. Lou and Gisele have two grown daughters. Ashley is a librarian, and Jacqueline is studying to be a social worker.Cathedral
Parish Nurse (half-time): Kathleen Snow Kathleen commenced her role as Parish Nurse on September 1, 2016. She has a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of New Brunswick. She holds certificates in Adult Education, Advanced Mediation, and is a Certified Privacy Professional. She is a Trainer and Facilitator in the Worldwide Mothers’ Union Parenting Program and completed her certification in Parish Nursing in November of 2014. Kathleen’s work experience includes 18 years in Labour and Delivery at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, 10 years as Patient Advocate for Horizon Health Authority and more recently, she held the role of Chief Privacy Officer. Kathleen is passionate about sharing her faith, and has led a woman’s home Bible Study for many years. She has been an active member of Mothers’ Union, and is currently a Representative Member and sits on a Fundraising and Communications Committee of the worldwide Mothers’ Union. She is married to Tim, and has three sons Eric, David and Tim. She loves to run, garden, walk Jack and Maude, and enjoys Sunday lunch with her mother Margaret.
Director of Music (half-time): David Drinkell David Drinkell, from Colchester, England, has been a church organist since the age of twelve. After gaining his degree at Bristol University and a teaching qualification at Cambridge, he was responsible for the music at St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast and St. John’s Cathedral, Newfoundland, coming to Fredericton in 2016. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Associate of the Royal College of Music and holds the Archbishop’s Diploma in Church Music.
Other Cathedral ministries commissioned can be found in the Order of Commissioning used on 20 November 2016.
The Cathedral is thankful for the time, talent and treasure that continues to make possible its role as a lead congregation in the Diocese of Fredericton and the home of the cathedra of the Bishop of Fredericton. With the honour and responsibility of being a Cathedral Church, we also give thanks for the enormous privilege afforded us, humbly striving to be, while by no means perfect, a model for Anglican ministry in the province of New Brunswick and Diocese of Fredericton.
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 21 November with nine of thirteen members present. Minutes of the October meeting were adopted. The Dean offered some reflections on the reality of the kingdom of God among us, leading us into a conversation about ways in which we might move towards becoming less maintenance and more missional in our focus. The discussion took us naturally into considering how “Divine Renovation” by James Mallon might assist us in the task of improving (church) culture
Business Arising
• Cathedral Signage – Word from the Guild of St. Joseph is that it is too late to erect the standards necessary for new signs on the green and that a permit will be needed from the city to install. The project will need to be postponed to spring
• Cathedral outside lighting – we are moving on upgrading fixtures and replacing with energy efficient LED lighting
• Safe Churches policy – online training modules now available. Health Ministry is working toward implementing for ministries under its purview.
From the Dean
• Routine activities – usual activities and duties include facility communions, commitments with diocesan and Cathedral groups and committees
• Board room audio/visual – recommendation
• Absence – 17-21 December to Calgary AB
• Christmas worship – 4, 8 and 11 p.m. Christmas Eve; 10 a.m. Christmas Day Items for Decision
• Audio/Visual – that the board room be equipped with an internet connected screen for meeting use, viewing video and other learning purposes at an estimated cost of less than $1000
Items for Discussion
• Safe Churches – A broad implementation plan will be necessary as well as appointing a co-ordinator (officer) for the Safe Churches initiative which is now officially a requirement in the Diocese
• 2017 Budget Preparation – with the pending departure of our Treasurer, preparation of the 2017 budget needs to begin now. Groups and committees are asked to communicate budget needs through their respective members of Bishop and Chapter as soon as possible.
• Changing Church Culture – The discussion’s goal was review of our current context, what we do well and areas where we especially need to improve and invest in the next year. A comprehensive list was assembled and a short list of potential priorities identified for more detailed consideration. An in-depth discussion led to a decision to have a Chapter planning session on 10 December, which will be led by Bishop Edwards.
Reports
• Financial – a new format report summarizing monthly and year to date receipts and disbursements was received and reviewed.
Up-coming Events
• Advent Procession 4:00 p.m., 27 November
• Advent Friday Organ Recitals
• Christmas Lessons and Carols 4:00 p.m., 18 December
• Bishop’s Reception – 01 January
Next meetings
10 December – planning; 19 December, 16 January
19 February – Annual congregational meeting
Anne Hunt and Gail McGillivray from the cathedral lit 17 candles on the cake and explained that a secret wish is made while everyone sings “happy birthday to you” and the candles are blown out. Catherine giggled so much at the whole idea that it took a few breaths to extinguish all the candles. Everyone clapped, and her parents were as pleased as Catherine.
