It's wonderful to hear people's stories of Christmases past, and we're pleased that so many members of our congregation have taken the time to share them with us. Enjoy these stories of Christmas surprises, from Bernette Burnley and Ann Smith.
One of my fondest memories of Christmas is from when I was in my twenties. I had left New Brunswick for a job in Alberta in November, knowing that I would not be able to return home for Christmas. It would be my first Christmas away!
As Christmas time approached, I was feeling sad that I would not be with my family for the Holidays! Two weeks before Christmas, I received a call from a delivery company saying that a parcel would be arriving for me. I thought perhaps my family had sent some Christmas gifts. To my delight and surprise, the “parcel” was a real Christmas tree from back home! My father was a Christmas tree grower who shipped his trees to the eastern United States, and this one he had shipped to me all the way to Alberta.
My roommates at the time were as shocked as I was to see we had received a real tree! I bought a tree stand, and we had a party where friends came and we made all the decorations to trim the tree. It was a wonderful Christmas after all, as that tree was so full of love from my parents and siblings! A very memorable Christmas!
- Submitted by Bernette Burnley
"One Christmas Eve, we hosted a family gathering. A blanket of fluffy snow had just fallen to set a beautiful wintry scene. Our eldest opened the door to check on the snow, and with wide eyes turned to me slamming the door shut. “Mum, Santa is coming from next door.” “Well, invite him in” I said. Santa greeted everyone, to the surprise of all present including my husband, who knew nothing of this planned visit. No one was more delighted or more surprised than my father-in-law, who always loved Christmas."
We're pleased to announce a very special event happening at the Cathedral on May 7th! Join us to hear internationally renowned spiritual teacher John Philip Newell. He will speak on Celtic Wisdom for this moment in time in relation to Earth and the human soul. It promises to be an enlightening event!
Join us in-person for the talk, conversation, a book signing, and a few light refreshments ($20 per ticket). People wishing to join from a distance can reserve an online ticket (free of charge). You are invited to make a donation which will help to sponsor seats for people who could not otherwise attend).
The event will be held Wednesday, 07 May, 2025, 6:00-8:30 p.m. inside Christ Church Cathedral. 150 Church Street, Fredericton, NB.
John Philip Newell is a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being. A ‘wandering teacher,’ he follows the ancient path of many lone teachers before him in the Celtic world, seeking the wellbeing of the world. He has been described as having ‘the heart of a Celtic bard and the mind of a Celtic scholar’, combining in his teachings the poetic and the intellectual, the head as well as the heart, and spiritual awareness as well as political and ecological concern.
The Anglican Church Women, in partnership with Health Ministry, served 30+ guests at a Christmas Luncheon held 11 December.
The theme was ‘Trees’. Members of the congregation loaned items for a display, and the variety of decorative Christmas trees added to the festive lunch enjoyment.
Personal care items and donations were collected for Grace House women's shelter.
Philip Lee, Julie Maston and Doug Milander welcome guests and provide grocery store vouchers.
Monday Outreach in December was held a bit earlier than usual, to provide pre-Christmas assistance to people in need before the holidays.
With generous help from St. Margaret's Anglican Church and New Maryland United Church, the Cathedral Outreach Committee helped 82 people in need in December. People who visited Memorial Hall on 16 December received a holiday-sized grocery card ($20); a treat bag with sandwich, juice, candy, snacks and fruit, and a non-perishable grocery item. They could also select from a variety of free used clothing and footwear, toiletries, toys for kids, and household goods.
The need in our community is great - and ever-increasing! The committee reports that the monthly average served in 2021 and 2022 was steady at 45; 52 in 2023; 66 in 2024. Many thanks to everyone who helped in any way this year!
Volunteers Rev. Kelly Burke and Steve Hayward from New Maryland United Church, Canon Rod Black, Susan Black, Sharon Miller and Janice Irvine-Meek provide food and other items to guests. Not pictured: the many tables of items that guests could choose from!
Learn more about Monday Outreach (typically held on the last Monday of each month) and our other local outreach initiatives.
The Christmas season brings with it an abundance of memories. From the excitement and anticipation that we felt as children to the joy of watching our own children and grandchildren at Christmas. But along with the happy memories, there are also those that are tinged with sadness and longing for those no longer with us. Here, Ann Deveau shares with us the pain of losing her beloved brother, finding a way to honour his memory and working her way back to a place of comfort and joy.
A tree filled with memories!
My brother absolutely loved Christmas.
Bob taught his little boys that it was the birthday of Jesus and always put up a nativity scene before he bought and decorated their Christmas tree. He chose gifts thoughtfully for family and friends, loved to munch on "chicken bones" candy while the turkey was roasting, and belted out off-key Christmas songs such as "Little Drummer Boy."
He died of cancer at age 45.
The first Christmas he was gone, I wondered how I would get through such an emotional time while grieving. He was my only sibling, and I missed him terribly.
A wise friend suggested that I do something special to honour Bob's memory, so I made a charitable donation of library books in his name. Nice but not enough.
Then an idea struck me. I would create a Bob tree!
I bought a two-foot artificial tree, some white lights, and started gathering ornaments meaningful to his life. For example, I hung tiny photos of his boys on the tree, a crocheted lighthouse because we're from Nova Scotia, a Boston Red Sox ornament because it was his favourite team, glittery red balls because he loved that colour, a miniature manger scene, a little drummer boy, a book because he was a voracious reader, a soccer ball ornament because he played and coached. Well, you get the idea!
That first Christmas without Bob, I sobbed as I placed each item on the little tree. The tears flowed annually for several years. I kept adding more Bob-specific ornaments. It became my ritual every December, and it brought me great comfort.
It still does. But now, after 22 years, I smile more than I cry as I trim the Bob tree.
- by Ann Deveau
Read another Christmas reflection about Ann and her brother, PA-RUM-PUM-PUM-PUM, which was shared in 2020.
Celebrate Christmas at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Fredericton!
Whether you are a Christian who has worshipped in the Anglican tradition, are of another Christian denomination, another faith entirely or, simply interested in understanding more about what our faith community is all about, you are warmly welcomed to join us in worship. There is no dress code, you are free to sit where you wish and to participate as you feel comfortable.
Christmas Day ~ 25 December
* 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (traditional) [organ & hymns]
Christ Church Cathedral is located at 150 Church Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick. On-street parking is available on nearby streets. Several accessible parking spaces are marked and available in the Cathedral driveway. The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible and has accessible washrooms.
Children are welcome at any time. The 4:00 p.m. service is a particular favourite of families with young children, and it lasts approximately one hour. An infant changing station is available in one of the washrooms.
If you would like additional information, please phone the Cathedral Office at (506) 450-8500. Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Our office will close at 12:00 noon on Christmas Eve.
Children at the November 24th service help Claire McKnight record the gift donations.
The Outreach Committee sincerely thanks the Cathedral congregation for fulfilling all 65 Christmas Angel requests in. The gifts were delivered to the Greener Village Food Bank by the Robinson family, and the organizers happily accepted the donations to help needy families in Fredericton. The estimated value of the gifts was $2,025.
Thank you to Amélia and Cecilia for creating lovely toppers for our angel trees, and thank you to all of the children who helped Claire gather and record the gifts after worship on November 24th. It was a joy to have so many enthusiastic helpers!
Have a look at the slideshow below for some photos.
Each paper angel hung on small trees in the Cathedral requestied a specific Christmas gift or gift card for a needy boy or girl in our city. For over 30 years, the Angel Tree program in Fredericton has provided gifts for children in need, and the Cathedral congregation has been involved for over 25 years. The Fredericton Food Bank, Greener Village, coordinates the collection of names and wishes, and solicits local businesses and individuals to show kindness through gift giving.
The need is great, and this year, Greener Village anticipates filling wishes for over 2000 children in our city.
Although group donations have been collected, individual angels are still available on an Angel Tree located in the Regent Mall. In addition to angel tags requesting a specific gift, the program also accepts monetary donations to purchase gifts and help families in need through other food bank programs.
Another way to give:
Would you prefer to support Christmas outreach initiatives in a different way? Write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line or mark your offering envelope. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchen. Please deliver donations to the Cathedral Office by 15 December, to allow time for distribution to the charities.
Alex Pope and Linda Hall, two of the many volunteers who assisted with the Pause Table.
On 09 December, members of the Cathedral branch of Mothers’ Union spent the day giving baked goods, bagels, treats and encouragement to students studying for exams at UNB.
The 'Pause Table' initiative has become one that is welcomed by university students during exam week. Campus ministries at the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University once again collaborated with faith communities to host Pause Tables during exams. Volunteers provided free food, beverages, a listening ear, and conversation, and handwritten personalized notes to give students a break from studying.
Thank you to everyone who provided time and treats for the Pause Tables!
The Rev. Canon Jon Lownds checks cameras and monitors during the 139th Session of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton, held at Christ Church Cathedral. He was one of several people handing the technology needs of the day.
From the Bishop’s Charge to archdeaconry presentations, one word rang out: community.
Last spring, as Archbishop David Edwards began discerning his charge for diocesan synod, the word community came to mind — the concept of we, as Anglicans, being community for and in our communities.
All that culminated in a day that focused mainly on others, as 215 people— clerics, laity, volunteers, observers, diocesan staff and guests — gathered at Christ Church Cathedral Nov. 2 for the 139th Session of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton.
Also, enjoy the slideshow below - photos of members of the Cathedral congregation at the Diocesan Synod. Thank you to Gary Barfitt for his photography skills!
As Christmas time approached, I was feeling sad that I would not be with my family for the Holidays! Two weeks before Christmas, I received a call from a delivery company saying that a parcel would be arriving for me. I thought perhaps my family had sent some Christmas gifts. To my delight and surprise, the “parcel” was a real Christmas tree from back home! My father was a Christmas tree grower who shipped his trees to the eastern United States, and this one he had shipped to me all the way to Alberta.
