The Pause Table initiative has become one that is welcomed by university students during exam week.
Campus ministries at UNB and STU are once again collaborating with faith communities to host the tables during upcoming exams. Volunteers will provide free food, beverages, a listening ear, and conversation, and handwritten personalized notes to give students a break from studying.
The Cathedral branch of Mothers’ Union will host a Pause Table on Monday, 15 April, 2024.
Donations of food would be greatly appreciated from the congregation (baked goods, sandwiches, fruit, microwaveable noodles, etc.). Non-perishable items can be delivered to Cathedral Memorial Hall during business hours. Perishable items can dropped off on Sunday, 14 April during worship. Please mark them for UNB Outreach.
We also welcome volunteers who would like to spend some time at the Pause Table interacting with students. Contact Diane Nash <mrsnash68 at gmail.com> or Susan Watson <bagel.watson at hotmail.com> if you have questions or wish to be added to the schedule.
Filip Vanicek grew up in the lap of luxury. He and his family enjoyed a country estate and an ornate, five-storey building in the heart of Prague where they lived, along with much of his extended family.
“Our family were academics and lawyers,” he said. “My childhood was phenomenal, absolutely fantastic — until the Russians came."
Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize, sent us this update. Please keep Ms. Martinez, her son, the high school scholarship students, and all of the elementary students and staff at St. Hilda's in your prayers.
Greetings Friends,
I pray that this email finds you well. Our school year started out well and so far we are managing by God's grace. There has been a lot of illness among both teachers and students. A terrible flu has been plaguing the schools so we are encouraging students to stay at home until it passes so that it doesn't spread.
I was supposed to share the reports with you since the first week of February but unfortunately, my son was in a motorcycle accident. I am so thankful that he is alive. His pelvic bone is open and both knees got injured. A ligament in his right knee burst as well so he is not allowed to walk for the next six weeks. We have four more weeks to go before his next evaluation. We are praying that both will heal on their own and he will not have to do surgery. It was a scary experience but God is in control. I am presently working from home because he needs someone close by to assist him.
I have attached the report of the three [scholarship] students. I have spoken to all students personally to encourage them to improve in areas where they fell short. Silvia [our new scholarship student] is doing very well in her class. She is a class leader and has received several certificates and awards. She participates in her school's praise dance team as well. They were encouraged to ask for assistance if needed because we are there to support them.
As soon as I am back at school I will give an update of activities that we are engaged in. We are about to start our "Child Stimulation Month" activities which starts March 1st. Our preschoolers will be involved in various activities throughout the month. We are excited to see what all will be accomplished. The theme for this year is "Magic Garden of Skills: Watch us Bloom".
I continue to say thank you so much for your invaluable support and partnership with St. Hilda's Anglican School. We will continue to pray for you as you pray for us as well. We love you all!
Gary Barfitt, President of the Cathedral Guild of St. Joseph, shared this message of thanks regarding the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper.
Gary Barfitt, David Perritt and Jim Morell - three of the many volunteers who spent time organizing and serving at the 2024 pancake supper.
As we close the books on our 2024 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, on behalf of the Cathedral Guild of St. Joseph, I want to offer a huge thank-you to all those who helped make it a success. Thank you to all the volunteers who worked to get the pancakes, sausages, beans, and gingerbread from the back of the kitchen to the tables in the Hall. There were over 50 people taking care of the many and varied tasks required to feed this year’s over 170 patrons. And the generosity of those patrons raised more than $1900 towards the work of the Guild. We especially thank those people who supported us by attending the event and, apparently, enjoying the meal and the opportunity to spend time with friends.
Stay tuned for our next Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper which will be on Tuesday, March 4, 2025!
The approximately 220 people came and went over a two-hour dinner period, seated "family style" in long tables in the Main Hall. Don't worry, all of the volunteers got to eat, too! It was a great opportunity for conversation with fellow Cathedral members and neighbours from our community.
If you, or anyone you know, left an item at the event, drop by Cathedral Memorial Hall to check the coat rack and the Lost & Found box!
Several members of the Cathedral Communications Committee took photos of the popular event, which are shared below.
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 women who wrote the World Day of Prayer Service this year are from Palestine. The Theme is “I Beg You... Bear with one another in Love” based on Ephesians 4:1-3.
March 1, 2024 is the official date chosen as the World Day of Prayer.
Two World Day of Prayer services will held in-person in Fredericton:
Friday, March 1, 2:00 p.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 1 William Street (off the Royal Road). Wheelchair Accessible. Refreshments to follow.
Storm date: Saturday, March 2, 2:00 p.m.
Friday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. at Brunswick Street Baptist Church, 161 York Street. Wheelchair Accessible. Refreshments to follow.
Storm date: Sunday, March 3, 2:00 p.m.
An online Canadian National World Day of Prayer Service will be held beginning at 2:00 p.m. AST on 09 March 2024. Reserve a ticket for free here.
The World Day of Prayer service video for 2024 is available to watch online now. The 58 minute video, produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, can be watched at any time. A 6 minute devotional video is also available.
If you have questions about the work of the Council or the 2024 prayer services, please contact Deborah Heustis with Fredericton Women’s Inter-Church. Email <djheustis at gmail.com>.
One of the items on Kurt Schmidt’s to-do list for 2024 is a youth pilgrimage to Grand Manan Island.
Tentatively set for the Victoria Day weekend, the diocese’s half-time Director of Young Adult Formation hopes to lead 6-12 young people and chaperones in hikes, Eucharist, prayer and worship.
It was at the September new clergy orientation, when Kurt, a new employee, met the Rev. David Smith, new priest-in-charge in the Parish of Grand Manan. The two got to talking...
During the Season of Lent, all members of the Cathedral congregation are encouraged to consider individual or small group study or reflection. The 40 days of Lent are an excellent time to take on a discipline of deeper reflection on the Christian life, growing personally in discipleship as well as helping us grow as a community of Christian faith. (See BAS p. 282 and BCP p. 612)
MONDAYS ~ Six sessions beginning 12 February
Home Study and Eucharist Lectionary study and Communion for a small group. Weekly rotating location in group members' homes, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Facilitated by Dean Geoffrey Hall. RSVP.
TUESDAYS ~ Five sessions, beginning 20 February
Art & Faith
An Ignatian-flavoured contemplative consideration of select works of sacred art related to the upcoming Sunday's gospel. Hosted by Kurt Schmidt. 5:30-6:00pm, Drop-in online via Zoom. Link through the Cathedral calendar.
Book Study: DFA
Book study of Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross by Richard John Neuhaus. Hosted by Alan Sears and James Kerr. 7:00-8:00 p.m., Hall Formation Room. RSVP to Alan Sears. Six sessions. Limited copies of the book available from Kurt Schmidt, $20.
WEDNESDAYS ~ Six sessions, beginning 21 February
Spirituality of Lent
Exploration of contemplative prayer traditions in the context of the liturgical season. Topics may include Centering Prayer, Celtic (Threshold) prayer, group lectio divina, praying with dreams, prayer and poetry, and Franciscan prayer. Various facilitators. 2:00-3:00 p.m. Hall Formation Room. RSVP to Kurt Schmidt.
Diocesan Book Study: LBD
Diocesan book study of Lent with the Beloved Disciple by Bishop Michael Marshall (2024 Bloomsbury Lent Book). Facilitated by Shawn Branch, 6:30 p.m., 60-90 minutes, online. Register through the Diocesan website to receive the Zoom link.
THURSDAYS ~ Seven sessions, beginning 15 February
Taizé Thursdays
Ecumenical and contemplative services of worship that incorporate simple song, scripture and silence. 5:30-6:00pm, alternating formats -- online via Zoom or in-person/livestreamed from the Cathedral. Drop-in. Link through the Cathedral calendar or Cathedral YouTube channel. Curious about Taizé? Read about an online session and in-person Taizé at the Cathedral.
Dante Group
Ongoing study group currently reading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1879-1880). Hosted by Alan Hall and friends. 7:00-8:00 p.m. Hall Lounge. RSVP.
FRIDAYS ~ Six sessions beginning 16 February
Stations of the Cross
Various versions of the ancient devotional/meditation on the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). 12:00 noon, Cathedral. Approximately 30-45 minutes long. Drop-in.
Contact Facilitators and Join
Please contact the facilitators directly to: express interest / ask a question / RSVP. Take special note of online options. Flexibility in schedules and locations may be possible within given restraints.
Geoffrey Hall <dean at christchurchcathedral.com> (506) 450-7761
Kurt Schmidt <formation at christchurchcathedral.com> (506) 259-3711
Alan Sears <asears at unb.ca>
Shawn Branch <sbranch at diofton.ca> (506) 459-1801
Alan Hall <alanwilliamhall at gmail.com>
Cathedral Office <office at christchurchcathedral.com > (506) 450-8500
The Cathedral's monthly Monday Outreach Program is looking for specific items to help people in need in our community. Can you donate any of these?
* Hand warmers
* Toilet paper
* Canned meat (e.g. chicken, tuna, etc.)
* Winter boots
* Long Johns and sweatpants for men
Items can be dropped off at the Cathedral Office, 168 Church Street, during office hours, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday.
On the last Monday of each month, Outreach volunteers help people in need who visit Cathedral Memorial Hall. They receive canned goods, sandwiches, fresh fruit, muffins, juice and other goodies, as well as a $10 gift card from a supermarket or city transit tickets. Guests may also choose items such as donated footwear and used clothing, toiletries, and towels. The need is great in our city, and the number of guests on January 29th increased to 70 individuals. The recipients, who range in age from toddlers to seniors, were grateful for the assistance. The next Monday Outreach event will take place on Monday, February 26.
Volunteer Mary Lou Cotter packs goodie bags for outreach guests
Thank you to volunteers who help onsite, or with preparation, baking, or donate items or funds. Speak with a member of the Outreach Committee or contact the Cathedral Office if you'd like to help.
Here are some letters from the current recipients of Cathedral scholarships to attend high school in Belize.
Sylvia Trapp (Grade 9)
Dear Friends,
I am very thankful for the assistance that you have given me at the beginning of the school year. I have achieved a lot this semester. I got some good grades and won a presentation competition for harvest.
I am working harder to get better grades. My biggest challenge has been in Social Studies but I’m working on doing better. I received an excellence award which has motivated me to work harder. I have also met some new friends thanks to your help.
The Christmas event we had at school was so so amazing, I participated in a lot of praise dances for my class. I love dancing.
With that said, I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and an amazing and blessed New Year.
Sincerely,
Silvia Trapp
Caleb Martinez (Grade 10)
Dear friends of St. Hilda's,
Merry Christmas friends of St. Hilda's. I hope you and your family are having a very Merry Christmas.
As my journey at Belmopan Comprehensive High School continues I've so far had only one issue when it comes to my math grade, on my report card it showed that my average had done to a 70 percent. But later on when I checked with my math teacher, I was passing all my assessments and tests, I was told it was a mechanical error and would have to be reprinted. This year the school introduced a new curriculum so we are getting less class work and more group projects. This has caused a big problem because almost every weekend I had to travel to complete the projects. But to save money I started just doing them by myself
With 2nd semester around the corner I plan to join my school's track and field team but to do so I have to keep all my grades high. We also received word that we will be taking exams this year, the exams will contain all we did from school started.
In 3rd form I'm still debating between business or Arts, I will be sure fill you in on my decision.
Merry Christmas friends of St. Hilda's and may God keep us safe for further days ahead, and I greatly thank you for this amazing opportunity.
Caleb
Korey Kelly (Grade 11)
Hello Friends,
I hope this finds you in good spirits.
I would just like to let you know that I really and truly appreciate the help you have given me in progressing through high school. The first semester of school has been going alright but I have had some ups and downs though I am doing well in most of my classes except for Economics and English. Those two are the only subjects that are really giving me some issues but I think I can improve in them. All I need to do is study and pay more attention in class to do better in them.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy your Christmas with your family and friends. Again, I would like to thank you for the support you have given me in progressing through school.
Sincerely,
Korey
About the Cathedral's Belize High School Scholarship Program
Currently, the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral provides scholarships for three students who would not able to attend high school without support, since high school is not publicly funded in Belize. This additional education provides them with important skills and opportunities. Each scholarship is $1000 CAD per year. We intend to provide a scholarship to a student entering high school next year, so we will again be supporting one student in each grade.
In Belize, the average age at which a child leaves school is 13 years old, because of the prohibitive costs of tuition for high school, which families must pay. Unemployment in the country is high, there are many large single-parent families, and almost half of Belizeans live below the poverty line.
The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.
Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers.
In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8. Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have gone on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future.
We are grateful for all who have helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school. Learn more about our mission work in Belize.
You can contribute to the mission in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.
If you are interested in participating in future endeavors benefiting the students in Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to connect with members of the Belize mission committee.
The Pause Table initiative has become one that is welcomed by university students during exam week.
