A member of our congregation, Helen Liang, grew up in China, and she sent us a few photos of Christmas there.
She says:
Christmas is an important festival in China. Most of the photos are of outdoor decorations, with only one image of a floating Christmas tree in a mall. Christmas is also the busiest time for the church, with various Christmas decorations in the church and various praise performances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But Chinese people don't eat Turkey at Christmas. There is no specific Christmas dinner, sometimes we will book in advance to eat at a restaurant.
In a letter dated 10 August, 2023, our Bishop has answered a request made by the Dean and the Bishop and Chapter to appoint Isabel Cutler deacon at Christ Church Cathedral. Our congratulations to Isabel and we look forward to having her once again part of the ministry team.
Isabel Cutler was ordained to Holy Orders as a Deacon in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland in July 2019. She and her husband Nathan, who was ordained to the Priesthood in August 2019, served in the Parish of Isle aux Mort, Margaree, FoxRoose on the southwest coast of Newfoundland for two years. This was a miraculous gift for Isabel, after a lifetime of serving Our Lord Jesus in a Lay capacity for most of her life.
Born, raised and educated in the UK, Isabel is aware of the strong Christian influence of her parents; the hospital environment and care of patients she lived alongside; the Anglo Catholic school she attended run by the Community of All Hallows; and the positive vocational attitude towards nursing as she did her general nurse training at St. George’s Hospital, London UK. In 1972 Isabel, armed with her State Registered Nurse, Midwifery and Public Health certificates and two years work experience, came for one year to work as a Public Health Nurse with the International Grenfell Association in St. Anthony, Newfoundland.
She met Nathan and they married in 1974 and had 47 happy years together. They welcomed Jenny, Andrew and Nicholas in quick succession and Isabel is very blessed to have six grandchildren. Fifteen years living in various parts of NL and then 30 years in Fredericton, NB with two years in the UK attending St. John’s College Nottingham where Isabel was able to audit theology courses alongside Nathan. All were times of formation of Isabel’s spiritual life especially in Fredericton. Always a member of Christ Church Cathedral, a longtime member of Mother’s Union, three times member of Bishop and Chapter, Chair of the Missions and Christian Education and Spiritual Growth Committees and then instrumental in starting, alongside a very positive team, the Health Ministry. Isabel held the first Parish Nurse position 2005-2015 while initially still employed as a Labour and Delivery nurse and with the Victorian Order of Nurses.
Isabel completed the Parish Nursing training programme in 2007. Both Isabel and Nathan went to “ACPO” and were accepted as Postulants for Ordination to the Priesthood. Isabel feels very blessed to have so many rich opportunities to have a close relationship with Jesus, through Cathedral and Diocesan programmes, spiritual direction for 25 years and through bible study and the diversity of worship.
It is now two years since Nathan died so very unexpectedly. Isabel is back in Fredericton near her sons and grandchildren whom she loves to spend time with. She likes to paint watercolours and to read, but time runs away! She feels very blessed in having her family close by and also loving friends. God is a God of Surprises as she realizes, at nearly 77 years old, He still has something for her to do as a Deacon. As Nathan used to say, “Life is Wonderful and Full of Wonder”. Alleluia.
- submitted by Isabel Cutler
In 2016, Isabel was featured in the NB Anglican, in an article written by Gisele McKnight. It highlights Isabel's presentation to the Anglican Church Women (ACW), reflecting on the people and places that have made an impact on her life. Read the article.
Alex LeBlanc is back with us for the summer of 2024, again in the position of Lead Tour Guide, working alongside Angus McDonell.
The article below was written in 2023 when Alex was working with Muriel Falkenstein.
Hi everyone!
I am so glad to be back working for the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton and of course, Christ Church Cathedral this summer. Many of you probably have seen me around, either as a tour guide or parishioner. Nevertheless, let me tell you all a little about me!
I was born in Moncton, and moved to Fredericton when I was nine. I am celebrating 10 years as a Frederictonian this year! I am Acadian, so I am fluent in English and French. If you know me, I am extremely proud of my Acadian culture. I am a recent graduate from Leo Hayes High School and am currently working on a bachelor’s degree at St. Thomas University, going into my second year.
Since I was young, I have been always devoted to serving God by volunteering in the church. I was baptized into the United Church in 2005 and have been volunteering at Nashwaaksis United Church as member of the Property Committee, and the Outreach Committee. I first came to CCC in the summer of 2016 as a guest who was interested in the history of the building. Of course, I was enlightened by an amazing tour from then Verger, Mr. Hank Williams! I had a keen interest in the bell tower and got a VIP tour of the tower from Eric Hadley. This would then progress into a volunteer role with the church.
Since 2017, I’ve been winding our 170-year-old clock. Did you know that it is a prototype for Big Ben in London? I was so interested in the Cathedral’s history in fact, I applied to be a tour guide in the summer of 2019. My first job! In 2020 and 2021, as many of you know, COVID-19 prevented us from keeping the Cathedral open for guided tours and concerts. I began working at Walmart on the Northside in 2020 and am still working there as of July 2023. Say hi if you see me in the produce department! Amazingly last year, I found out that CCC was hiring guides again, and I had to apply. After another amazing summer of tours, meeting lots of people, and hearing great music, I began my first year at St. Thomas University, making the Dean’s list.
Fast forward to this year. I was overjoyed when I got the call asking me to return for a third summer as a Lead Tour Guide! This is my first time in a supervisory role, and I am so thankful for the experience it is giving me. It always helps when you have amazing coworkers!
That’s just a little about me, and I hope to meet you all at some point this summer!
This summer, we are pleased to welcome Muriel Falkenstein as a Cathedral Tour Guide. She is working with Alex LeBlanc.
Muriel Falkenstein is a high school graduate, classical soprano, and active community member in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Her school extracurriculars included the Fredericton High School Concert Band (chair, flute section), Model United Nations, and the FHS Reach for the Top team. Outside of school, she is involved in classical voice, theatre, and piano lessons, and she intends to build a career as a classical singer. In voice, she has competed at local, provincial, and national music festivals and twice earned the Royal Conservatory of Music Atlantic Gold Medal, which denotes the most successful practical examination in the Atlantic region.
Muriel is also an avid composer and earned a silver standard at last year’s Canadian National Music Festival for her original composition, La Morte d’Eurydice. Her original composition entitled La Crise, a three-movement work exploring climate change, was recently awarded first prize at the New Brunswick Provincial Music Festival and will be adjudicated in July at the national music festival.
Muriel has had two original plays produced at the NotaBle Acts Theatre Festival and at UNB and STU, respectively, and in 2022, she performed the lead role Anne Shirley in Theatre New Brunswick’s production of Anne and Gilbert. She has volunteered at Theatre New Brunswick summer camps and is a high-achieving student. This year, she was shortlisted for the National Scholarship at both the University of Toronto and Western University. Starting in the fall, she will be enrolled at U of T, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance as a C. David Naylor Scholar and Arbor Scholar.
She is excited to take on the position of Summer Tour Guide at Christ Church Cathedral and share the beauty and history of the Cathedral with visitors!
Were you married in the Cathedral? Or do you have a story of relatives who were? We would love to hear your story and see a photo! If you are willing to chat with a member of the Communications Committee and be included in an upcoming series of articles, please contact the Cathedral Office. Phone (506) 450-8500 or email <office at christchurchcathedral.com>.
Gail & Ernie
October 12, 2012
Gail and Ernie MacGillivray shared this memory of their wedding:
“It was a sunny fall day in October, 2012! The day felt just right and remains in our memories as pretty much perfect. Family and friends surrounded us! One of the very best parts of the day was having members of our Worship Band (led at that time by Dr. Willis Noble) sing and play. They really made our hearts soar!!! We were told afterwards that their final worship song was so uplifting that folks were tempted to dance in the aisles! We just felt wrapped in hugs. The Very Rev’d Keith Joyce officiated."
Archbishop Claude Miller died on Tuesday, 27 June 2023 after a brief period of illness.
The funeral was on Monday, 03 July at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Church Cathedral with a reception following.
Visitation was held the previous day, Sunday, 02 July 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral followed by a vigil until 8:45 a.m. Monday with both clergy and lay participating.
The month of June has long been known for its brides, but why, we wondered, were “June brides” so popular?
Well, it turns out that the tradition of “June Brides” dates back to Roman times when Juno and her husband Jupiter were celebrated on the first day of June. Juno was the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
Continuing on to Victorian times the availability of fresh flowers made June a good month to wed. And since baths tended to be taken in the warmer months of May and June in medieval times, those sweet smelling bouquets came in handy!
The Celtics also had a hand in promoting June! Young couples would be paired on Cross-Quarter Day or May 1st. They would then be expected to date until the next Cross-Quarter Day on August 1st. But alas, impatience led to more and more June weddings!
Finally, a June wedding in farming communities was a good thing. If the bride fell pregnant, she would still be in good shape to work the fall harvest!
All of this information got us to thinking about all the weddings that have been celebrated in Christ Church Cathedral! We are looking back and sharing some of those weddings and special memories from the bride and groom! Read all of the wedding reflections, and stay tuned for more!
* * * * *
Were you married in the Cathedral? Or do you have a story of relatives who were? We would love to hear your story and see a photo! If you are willing to chat with a member of the Communications Committee and be included in an upcoming series of articles, please contact the Cathedral Office. Phone (506) 450-8500 or email <office at christchurchcathedral.com>.
Katie & Greg
December 29, 2010
Katie (Catherine) and Greg Young Morris were married by The Very Reverend Keith Joyce almost 13 years ago. They shared these memories:
"Our wedding day fell right between heavy snow storms, and we were fortunate not to have to cancel. The actual day, however, was beautiful and sunny. Katie sported her winter boots in many of the outdoor wedding photos.
We enjoyed music by organist Dr. Willis Noble, and Katie's brother and sister-in-law Neil Young and Talia Profit performed a breathtaking version of Mount Eerie's 'Oh My Heart'. In the provided photo, the happy couple is exiting to the "Prince of Denmark's March" by J.A. Clarke.
Our wedding bulletin featured the following bible quotation:
I went to my garden, dear friend, best lover!
breathed the sweet fragrance.
I ate the fruit and honey,
I drank the nectar and wine.
Celebrate with me, friends!
Raise your glasses—"To life! To love!
-- Song of Solomon 5:1 (The Message translation)
Katie and Greg's three young children can often be seen playing instruments and dancing on Sunday mornings during Come Worship services!
Sandy Robb - a former guest who turned into one of our most willing outreach volunteers!
Sandy Robb was a survivor.
Most people would have crumpled helplessly under the weight of the obstacles she faced. She was an unwed teenage mother, an alcoholic, a precariously employed cook, homeless more than once, beset by chronic illnesses, in and out of the hospital.
Yet, by the time she died in her sleep recently, she had fought to become a well-housed and sober senior citizen, offering no-nonsense advice as a peer support worker at a downtown medical clinic that helps addicts to recover. She had become well-known to politicians and the media as an effective advocate for the poor and the homeless in our city.
She was also a longtime, valued volunteer with the Monday Morning Outreach program at Christ Church Cathedral where she baked delicious cookies and knew most of the people in need who attended.
Sandy, at the City of Fredericton Unsung Hero awards ceremony in 2018. Pictured: Cathedral Outreach Committee Chair Penny Ericson, Fredericton South MLA David Coon, and Sandy Robb.
Outreach Committee chair Penny Ericson was a dear friend. “I've lost my buddy,” Penny said sadly. “We learned so much from Sandy. She had a big heart, and she was always ready to speak up for what was needed by the less fortunate in our city.”
It's one of the reasons Sandy won an Unsung Hero award from the City of Fredericton in 2018, being acknowledged for helping to shape this community for the better.
“Sandy was a force to be reckoned with - such a kind and generous person in her own way,” recalled retired Parish Nurse Kathleen Snow who worked closely with her at the outreach drop-ins. “A true Christian in many ways.”
Rev. Kelly Burke from New Maryland United Church, who has helped Cathedral volunteers with outreach activities for 15 years, agreed.
Sandy, helping to pack goodie bags for a COVID-safe Monday Outreach in 2020.
“So much life and goodness flowed from that woman,” she said. “She was a wise and challenging teacher for us all. Well done, good and faithful servant.”
“Sandy was the best kind of woman, and it was a pleasure to get to know her at outreach,” added volunteer Susan Colpitts, echoing comments from other volunteers. “She will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to share space with her.”
Heather S., a visitor to Monday Morning Outreach for many years, called Sandy “a wonderful woman” who helped her to get free furniture when she finally found housing. “She was always reaching out to somebody, so it's heart-breaking to think that she's gone.”
For the May 29th voucher day, Sandy sent a loaf of sandwiches and a newcomer who needed a pair of shoes. By the time the woman happily laced up a gently used pair of sneakers, eager to thank Sandy, our spunky and extraordinary friend had slipped out of this world.
Condolences are offered to Sandy's family, friends and to all who will miss her. Her legacy of kindness, common sense and advocacy will live on.
- by Ann Deveau
Click here to read Sandy's obituary. There will be a celebration of Sandy's life in Doaktown, Saint John and Fredericton at a later date.
Two articles about Sandy have appeared on the Cathedral website in the past:
In 2017, Sandy participated in the short documentary film ‘The Rest Will Follow’, a collaboration of DocTalks, the Community Action Group on Homelessness and Housing First.
The month of June has long been known for its brides, but why, we wondered, were “June brides” so popular?
Well, it turns out that the tradition of “June Brides” dates back to Roman times when Juno and her husband Jupiter were celebrated on the first day of June. Juno was the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
Continuing on to Victorian times the availability of fresh flowers made June a good month to wed. And since baths tended to be taken in the warmer months of May and June in medieval times, those sweet smelling bouquets came in handy!
The Celtics also had a hand in promoting June! Young couples would be paired on Cross-Quarter Day or May 1st. They would then be expected to date until the next Cross-Quarter Day on August 1st. But alas, impatience led to more and more June weddings!
Finally, a June wedding in farming communities was a good thing. If the bride fell pregnant, she would still be in good shape to work the fall harvest!
All of this information got us to thinking about all the weddings that have been celebrated in Christ Church Cathedral! We are looking back and sharing some of those weddings and special memories from the bride and groom! Read all of the wedding reflections, and stay tuned for more!
* * * * *
Were you married in the Cathedral? Or do you have a story of relatives who were? We would love to hear your story and see a photo! If you are willing to chat with a member of the Communications Committee and be included in an upcoming series of articles, please contact the Cathedral Office. Phone (506) 450-8500 or email <office at christchurchcathedral.com>.
Kathryn & Roger
September 18, 1993
Kathryn Collet (nee Galey) shared these memories of her wedding to Roger Collett almost 30 years ago:
"The service was officiated by my Dad, the Rev. Canon Leonard J. Galey, Rev. Canon E.F. (Ted) Eaton, Rev. Fr. Stanislas Paulin and Dean John Wright"
Memorable moment: "There were so many clergy there, there was no way we weren't getting married that day!"
The month of June has long been known for its brides and it’s coming right up! Why, we wondered, were “June brides” so popular?
Well, it turns out that the tradition of “June Brides” dates back to Roman times when Juno and her husband Jupiter were celebrated on the first day of June. Juno was the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
Continuing on to Victorian times the availability of fresh flowers made June a good month to wed. And since baths tended to be taken in the warmer months of May and June in medieval times, those sweet smelling bouquets came in handy!
The Celtics also had a hand in promoting June! Young couples would be paired on Cross-Quarter Day or May 1st. They would then be expected to date until the next Cross-Quarter Day on August 1st. But alas, impatience led to more and more June weddings!
Finally, a June wedding in farming communities was a good thing. If the bride fell pregnant, she would still be in good shape to work the fall harvest!
All of this information got us to thinking about all the weddings that have been celebrated in Christ Church Cathedral! For the next few weeks, we are going to share some of those weddings and special memories from the bride and groom!
* * * * *
Were you married in the Cathedral? Or do you have a story of relatives who were? We would love to hear your story and see a photo! If you are willing to chat with a member of the Communications Committee and be included in an upcoming series of articles, please contact the Cathedral Office. Phone (506) 450-8500 or email <office at christchurchcathedral.com>.
Cindy & Mike
September 24, 2005
Cindy Pope (nee Goucher) and Mike Pope shared this memory of their wedding:
"We married at the cathedral on September 24, 2005. Everything was absolutely perfect. From the verger, Hank, saying “It’s showtime!” as the doors opened in front of me, to Father Keith’s reflections on our relationship, to having my childhood minister, Father Jim Irvine overseeing Communion and close friends adding readings and song. Pure magic."
Mike and Cindy now have two teenage daughters, Alexandria (Alex) and Taylor.
