In December, Christ Church Cathedral donated $2000 to Montgomery Street School, a nearby elementary school with a number of children in need. The money, given by the congregation through a Giving Tuesday campaign, supported a school lunch program. We recently received a thank you note from the Home and School Association, signed by children in the school's Leadership Program.
A HUGE THANK YOU FROM US...
It is so heartening when we receive a gift from a generous group that allows us to say "yes, we can help" to one more child within Montgomery Street School. We would love to extend our appreciation and thanks from the children, staff and Home and School Committee to the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral.
With your generous donation that was provided, we are able to ensure that children are fed, have warm clothes for wintertime as well as all the extra needs needed by our students and families.
We are so lucky and grateful to have your support.
Reegan McDougall President: Montgomery Street Elementary School, Home and School
The Reverends Nelson and Kara Mejia are SAMS Canada (South American Mission Society) missionaries and priests in the Diocese of Honduras. Kara Mejia is the daughter of retired New Brunswick priest Gordon Thompson and his wife, Bell.
The Cathedral Missions Committee supports their Ministry in Roatan, Honduras with yearly donations.
By the Revs. Nelson and Kara Mejia:
At this time of year, as we recall and reflect on the nativity story, we’re reminded anew that Jesus really is the hope of the world.
In this month’s edition of our ministry update, I can see evidence of the hope, joy, and redemptive transformation that comes through the love of Jesus.
As we look back on the year and look forward to the next with hope and expectancy, Kara and I (Nelson) wanted to take a moment to thank you for partnering with us, for your encouragement, sacrificial giving and especially prayers that make our ministry possible...
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Click here to continue reading the full update, and see more photos! They have shared details about food deliveries to families, a community kitchen for kids, a women's meeting, clerical retreat, and deputation time, when Kara and Nelson will be visiting New Brunswick to share information about their ministry.
The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.
The World Day of Prayer service video for 2023 is available to watch online now. The 55 minute video, produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, can be watched at any time. A 24 minute children's video is also available.
The women who wrote the World Day of Prayer Service this year are from Taiwan. The Theme is “I Have Heard About Your Faith”. Based on the letter to the Ephesians, it is an invitation to active listening, which is the ground of our prayers. Following the example of the letter (1:15-19), where the author praises the church for their faith in Jesus and love toward all the saints, the worship service contextualizes the witness of the saints with the stories from Taiwan.
March 3, 2023 is the official date chosen as the World Day of Prayer.
World Day of Prayer services will also be held in-person in Fredericton:
Friday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. Reception to follow.
Storm date: March 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, 224 York Street. Reception to follow.
Monetary donations go toward expenses incurred in preparing the World Day of Prayer service, and providing grants to support women and children around the world who are fighting injustice and abuse. Donate online to the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, or mail a cheque to 47 Queen’s Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C3. Receipts are provided for all donation of $20 or more.
If you have questions about the work of the Council or the 2023 prayer services, please contact Debbie Heustis with Fredericton Women’s Inter-Church. (506) 472-2916.
This Prayer Diary, created by Mothers' Union, contains daily and monthly prayers. You are encouraged to use it to facilitate your devotions. Each month in the colourful book begins with a reflection, an opening prayer and a creative prayer activity.
"As we use this resource, we remember that we are united with each other, wherever we are, in our prayers. May we continue to seek transformation in our world and in our lives, with the profound knowledge that God is with us and shines through us," says Sheran Harper, worldwide President of Mothers' Union.
Mothers’ Union is a Christian organisation that has been supporting families worldwide for over 140 years. Started by founder Mary Sumner in 1876 in her local parish, it has grown into an international charity with over 4 million members in 84 countries.
As a Christian membership charity, Mothers' Union demonstrates faith in action. This happens as they work towards stopping poverty, stopping inequality and stopping injustice. Members work at grassroots level around the world. They bring hope and practical support to millions of people every year through parenting, literacy and community development programmes.
Prayer is at the heart of their work. Members come together every day at midday to focus prayers for their communities, fellow members and for those in need, in the belief that the power of prayer is transformational and supports their work around the world.
Despite the name, Mothers' Union is an inclusive organisation with a growing number of men.
Officers, committees, groups and organizations are reminded that annual reports are needed by 31 January 2023. Ideally, emailed in open text or by file attachment to the Cathedral Office. If submitted on paper, please allow a few days before the deadline.
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, 26 February after worship. The 2023 Annual Report (for 2022) will be circulated one week in advance.
We recently received messages and a video from Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize. As you can see, the families from St. Hilda's have faced hardship, tragedy, and also found joy. Please keep them all in your prayers.
Scroll down to watch the video below the letters.
[December 23, 2022]
Greetings,
I pray all is well with you. This first part of the school year has been a great challenge for us here at St. Hilda's Anglican school but God's grace has kept us. We've had victories and heartbreak but to God be the Glory.
I am also sharing a video of some activities at St. Hilda's Anglican for the first Cycle, September to December. I truly cannot find the words to express how blessed we are to have your support. We will continue to ensure that your investments are not in vain.
We love our Friends of St. Hilda's family and pray all the best for a wonderful holiday season and prosperous New Year.
Blessings,
Jane
[November 8, 2022]
Greetings Friends,
It is always a pleasure to send updates so that you know what is happening at St. Hilda's. I pray that all is well with you and your family as well as our Friends of St. Hilda's Family. The year has started out on a very busy note. I have been in classes since the beginning of September three to four times a week due to the absence of teachers so I have to multi-task.
The month of October has been a roller coaster month. I say this because we've had to deal with tragedy as well as celebrate God's goodness. We have experienced a lot of illness at school recently; both teachers and students. Many of them are out with fever, cough and cold. Please keep them in prayer. We were to hold our inaugural ceremony for our preschool on October 19th. Unfortunately, on October 18th, one of our preschool babies died tragically in a road traffic accident just a short distance from the school. He was sitting in the front passenger seat along with his 6 year old brother in their neighbor's vehicle when she lost control. There were four students with her but he sustained serious head and body injuries and died a short while later. His name was Zaiden Villanueva. His parents are Joycelyn and Sylvester Villanueva and his brothers are Randy and Akeem. Please keep them in prayer as well as the other parent who was driving. She sustained injuries to her face and body but is doing much better physically. The mental aspect is of concern. This incident was a shock to us all and we had to suspend classes for the day. Our counselors came in to do grief counseling the following day. The following week, I was out sick. I had pain all over my body and fever. I later discovered that I had a kidney infection. Thankfully, I am feeling much better.
The highlight of the month was our school and church harvest. It was a wonderful celebration after suffering such a tragic loss. Our inaugural ceremony will now be held on November 9th. We are also thankful that we were spared any damages due to Hurricane Lisa. The staff, students and their families are all safe and doing well.
In regards to the scholarship students, I do have mid semester reports for two of them so far. I will do my best to get the others and send them to you promptly. I pray that you have a great day and rest of the week.
Outreach Committee volunteers hand out 8 1/2 dozen muffins and 8 1/2 dozen cookies each month to people in need who visit the Monday Morning Outreach Program.
A few members of the congregation faithfully bake homemade goodies, but additional contributors would be most welcome to replace some folks who have stepped aside or who are seasonally unavailable.
If you could help out by baking muffins or cookies occasionally, please let the Cathedral office know and you will be contacted by the committee. Thank you! Email<office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone (506) 450-8500.
The Outreach Program operates on the last Monday morning of each month. Volunteers provide food, vouchers, bus tickets, clothing and information about local support programs to approximately 50 guests each month. Learn more about this longstanding program to help those in need in our community.
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
By Fr. Richard Rohr Jossey-Bass / 2011 / 240 pages
I’m sure I may have noticed a few little hidden smirks when I mentioned to my Bible Study group that I was going to do a book review of Father Richard Rohr’s “Falling Upward” for our website.
You see, my Bible Study group know all too well that Fr. Richard and I have a love/hate relationship. They had to listen to my rants when I didn’t understand him (he has a tendency to be a bit more pedantic than I felt necessary!). “Why didn’t he just say that?” was a frequent complaint of mine. But, since we have never met, maybe I should admit that love/hate relationship is pretty one-sided.
Father Rohr is a Franciscan priest living in New Mexico. He founded the Centre for Action and Contemplation in 1986 and serves as its Founding Director. He is the author of more than 20 books and an internationally known speaker. In researching him a bit, I found lots of glowing reviews!
Thus it was that I was quite impressed and excited to read this book - Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.
Very early on in the book, Fr. Rohr says this: “It takes a foundational trust to fall or to fail - and not fall apart. Faith alone holds you while you stand waiting and hoping and trusting.” I can relate to this as I recall my nine year old stepson telling me that if I would just let myself fall, I would learn to ski. Never happened. I just couldn’t let go and drop!
And through most of this book, I think I just kept refusing to accept that falling is a necessary part of growing up - mentally, physically and ultimately spiritually.
As I skim through the book to write this, I think I need a re-read with a more open mind because I know this book provided a lot of challenging thinking and discussion for our group (did I mention that I found him to be needlessly pedantic in places which annoyed me to no end?). 🙂
Briefly, Falling Upward is all about the different phases of growing up, of gaining wisdom in our everyday lives and growing spiritually as we add years. Much more detail than this, but I will let you discover that for yourself!
As much as you frustrated me Richard, you made me think - and think again.
-- by Gail MacGillivray
Publisher's Description:
In Falling Upward, Father Richard Rohr―the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation―offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how our failings can be the foundation for our ongoing spiritual growth. Drawing on the wisdom from time-honored myths, heroic poems, great thinkers, and sacred religious texts, the author explores the two halves of life to show that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." We grow spiritually more by doing it wrong than by doing it right. With rare insight, Rohr takes us on a journey to give us an understanding of how the heartbreaks, disappointments, and first loves of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half of life has in store for us.
Celebrate the New Year in the Cathedral on Sunday, 01 January. Worship at 10:30 a.m. will be followed by Archbishop David Edwards’ New Year's Day reception. We will also worship at 8:00 a.m.
It’s a wonderful way to start 2023 with prayer and festivity!
This December, the Cathedral Outreach Committee supported a program from Prison Fellowship Canada, which provides gifts to children of incarcerated parents.
PFC's Angel Tree Christmas program connects church communities and individuals with the families of prisoners through the delivery of a Christmas gift on behalf of the incarcerated parent. Through the program, a prisoner applies, submits a list of suggested items for each child, and fills out a gift tag that will be attached to the gift. Prison Fellowship matches the children with sponsors in their local area, who purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to the family.
Through the program, children the joy of receiving a gift -- but more importantly, they know that their mom or dad is thinking about them at Christmas time. Prisoners experience some moments of brightness during a time of year that can be very lonely for them.
The Cathedral was approached in early December by the Atlantic Coordinator of the program.
"We have certainly had many prisoners among our Monday guests," said Outreach Committee volunteer Ann Deveau, "and we feel it's important for their families to have a connection at Christmas."
Outreach Committee volunteers purchased, wrapped and delivered gifts to six children in the Fredericton area. Charlotte McKnight, a young Cathedral volunteer, took particular pleasure in choosing gifts for kids just a bit younger than herself.
The Prison Fellowship's Christmas program operates in every province and territory in Canada. Last year, 3424 children received gifts thanks to the generosity of 1479 sponsors, including 113 churches.
The Outreach Committee also oversees a Christmas Angel program at the Cathedral which is coordinated by Greener Village, the Fredericton food bank.
In December, Christ Church Cathedral donated $2000 to Montgomery Street School, a nearby elementary school with a number of children in need. The money, given by the congregation through a Giving Tuesday campaign, supported a school lunch program. We recently received a thank you note from the Home and School Association, signed by children in the school's Leadership Program.
