This summer we are pleased to have two young people in the congregation serve as our summer tour guides for July and August – Isabelle Gaudet and Keely Rutter.
Isabelle and Keely began their work at the beginning of July after having been trained by the Cathedral Verger, Hank Williams. They will be in at the Cathedral, Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for guided tours until August 31. Tours are offered in both official languages (no small feat!). Comments by our visitors indicate they are doing more than just an outstanding job.
Besides the tours of the Christ Church Cathedral , they are also there to help tourists with information about other things to see in Fredericton, other historically significant features, great restaurants to visit, etc. They also help out with hospitality at the Friday noon-hour recital series.
We are indeed fortunate to have such talented young women as guides this year.
When asked for their opinion of their job, comments ranged from “It’s very interesting and fun,” to “I enjoy so much meeting people from all over the world.” We are indeed fortunate to have such talented young women as guides this year.
While some tourists arrive at the the Cathedral door with at least some knowledge of New Brunswick history and maybe even knowledge of the religious history of the Province, others enter into an entirely new and unknown world of our local past. Christ Church Cathedral and the influence of Bishop John Medley, who envisioned it, is “a profound and foundational component of our NB heritage,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall.
“As the Christian Church would seem to be losing its place and prominence in contemporary society, it is an even more important ministry of the proclamation of the Good News to maintain this visible sign of the place of God in our human story. And even more importantly, that we have these doors open to all: the faithful, the inquisitive, the seeker and the curious.”
The Decken/Lazaris family consisting of Dad – Andreas, Mom – Roula and 14 year old Hannah worship at 11:45 a.m. on Sundays. After searching around for a home Church as newcomers to Fredericton, a good friend suggested that they might enjoy “11:45 at the Cathedral” and they’ve been regulars ever since.
Andreas came to Canada from Germany in 1987 as part of a student exchange program at McMaster University. He loved the Canadian experience so much that he went home, finished his degree and headed back to McMaster to do his PhD in chemistry. Andreas and Roula, met at the Hamilton Sailing Club where Roula, who was living and working in Toronto, frequently sailed with her sister and brother-in-law. They were engaged before the PhD was completed! After a 2 year stint in Austin, Texas doing a post-doctorate fellowship, Andreas accepted a position at University of New Brunswick. He is in his 21st year at UNB and currently holds the position as Assistant Dean in Science and Associate Professor in Chemistry.
You can breathe now, Andreas!
Nowadays, there are many young families and toddlers at 11:45 but when baby Hannah started attending, she was pretty much the only child! She went on to become the first little one to actively join in the worship music as she danced in the aisles! Then, when she was about six years old, she became the first little one to help prepare for Communion at the credence table assisting then Dean Keith Joyce. Andreas recalls the first day tiny Hannah was allowed to hold the chalice! “I was sure that she was going to drop it and only realized how nervous I was when Gregg Finley poked me in the back and said, “You can breathe now, Andreas!”
Hannah has been able to pass on the reins both for helping with Communion and dancing in the aisles. At almost 15 years old, she is more likely to be found at the back of the Church helping out with the toddlers!
Hannah, Roula and Andreas have been residents of Douglas for 18 years and members of Christ Church Cathedral since 1998.
Critically acclaimed soprano Sally Dibblee graciously agreed to a recent interview
Sally has enjoyed a career of twenty years in opera houses and concert halls throughout North America. Born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Sally now lives in Fredericton with her husband, Chris Lynn, and two sons, Robbie and Patrick. They attend Christ Church Cathedral.
Sally is active as an adjudicator in the Maritimes both at regional and provincial levels and gives frequent vocal master classes across Canada. Sally is featured on an ECMA 2007 nominated disc with the Saint John String Quartet and on Le Souvenir, Canadian Songs for Parlour and Stage with acclaimed baritone Russell Braun.
This very busy lady talked about the influence that the Anglican Parish of Woodstock has had on her life and career. Growing up, she was a member of the choir from an early age, and she even played the pump organ each Sunday during her high school years, at Christ Church Woodstock, on the St. John River. Our own Bill Turney was one of her mentors.
Sally frequently attended the summer Diocesan Choir School, which was for several years held at Camp Medley. The closing Evensong of Choir School in those days was always held at the Christ Church Cathedral, and again, Bill Turney was there!
Years later, after marriage to Chris Lynn (whom she met at Mount Allison), and two sons, her career took off. She was living in Toronto, and Chris was a “stay-at-home Dad.” They decided that it would be better for their little family to return to the Maritimes to live. Chris now has a successful banking career with President’s Choice Financial (PC Bank).
When it came time to choose a church home, the Cathedral was “a natural.” She already knew Bill, and had sung there with the Choir School. Immediately, she and Chris knew that they had made a good choice as everyone was friendly and supportive.
Both Robbie and Patrick were members of the Cathedral Treble choir: Robbie while Michael Capon was Director of Music and, Patrick with Dr. Willis Noble. “They loved it,” says Sally. As a result of this influence, (and the genes helped) both have continued their interest in singing, taking part in Calithumpians, school and university choirs (Robbie), and GODSPELL, (both boys), produced at the Cathedral recently with Willis Noble and Terry Pond. Patrick was a Cathedral tour guide during the summer of 2015, and currently has shown strong talents in stage management at Fredericton High School and with Theatre New Brunswick.
Robbie and Patrick have been both choristers and camp counsellors at Choir School, for several years now hosted again at Rothesay Netherwood School. They say that “It would be a good idea for teams of former Choir School choristers to go out to their local areas and tell about the wonderful times there, and maybe even show some videos to prove it!” The enthusiasm is contagious. “Many just don’t know what they’re missing!”
Sally is herself had slightly different sort of summer recently, playing the lead in a Broadway play at the St. Andrews Summer Theatre in St. Andrews, NB. Written by Stephen Temperley, “Souvenir” is a comedy of the vocally challenged diva Florence Foster Jenkins.
Sally and Chris are thankful for the congregation and staff at Christ Church Cathedral for the marvelous feeling of family and support they have experienced over the years. All is a positive influence.
During the Lenten season, we are encouraged to reflect. With that in mind, the ACW of Christ Church Cathedral invited their recently retired parish nurse, Isabel Cutler, to present a reflection on her life.
This is a report from that Feb. 17 meeting — Isabel’s life reflection, not only her comings and goings, but the communities she became a part of, and the warmth and love of Christ she found in the people with whom she has crossed paths.
She entitled her presentation, “The challenge is to be me, with God’s grace – an ongoing life adventure.”
“Lent is a time of reflection,” said Isabel. “We reflect on our lives, so I’ve had this opportunity to pause, reflect on God’s presence in my life and his leading me where he wanted me to be.
“The challenge is to be who God wants me to be.”
Isabel is 69, newly retired after 50 years of nursing. Her final assignment, for the past 10 years, has been as the parish nurse at Christ Church Cathedral.
“The last part of my career was definitely the icing on the cake for me,” she said.
“He” was born in 1927, in Lake Edward, New Brunswick. Or as he puts it, “I was born in the suburbs, on the outskirts of the city of New Denmark.” “She” was born in New Denmark. They were both raised on potato farms. They first met at Recreation Centre dances. Her family moved to Fredericton in the early 1950’s and he followed shortly thereafter. He was following his dream. She was his dream!
And so begins the story of Carolyn and Ken Howlett. Childhood sweethearts who will soon celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary (November, 16, 1956). I asked the standard question – “was it love at first sight?” Without taking a breath, Ken responded “Oh, yes!” And accompanying that pronouncement was a broad smile and a twinkling eye. In almost the same breath, Carolyn answered “No.” I must have looked a little confused as she proceeded to say “We’re very different people, you know”. But honestly, I think there was a little twinkle in her eye as well and maybe even a little blush. Very different; but apparently quite well matched!
Ken is proud of his Lake Edward roots and won’t hesitate to tell you that. Like most rural New Brunswickers of his generation, he learned his abc’s in a one room schoolhouse that went to grade eight and was presided over by one teacher. He grew up with three sisters and one brother and has many happy memories of his childhood on the farm. I asked if he had picked potatoes and Carolyn said his preference was to operate the potato picker. Apparently, he has always had a keen interest in all things mechanical! Ken was brought up in the Anglican faith and attended St. George’s Anglican Church in Lake Edward. His father had helped to build the church, which is still standing, in the early 1920’s. Ken was active in the church from a very young age teaching Sunday School. He noted, however, that he liked to finish his class as quick as he could so that he could listen to the other teachers.
St. Ansgar’s Church, Parish of Denmark
Carolyn was also brought up in the Anglican faith and attended St. Ansgar’s Church in New Denmark. St. Ansgar’s is also still standing and is a beautiful sight to behold on the crest of a hill as you enter the picturesque village. Carolyn’s family’s move to Fredericton in the early 50’s lead to her attending NB Teacher’s College and obtaining a teacher’s certificate. She taught school until the first of their four sons arrived.
Ken, who had originally worked in construction with Carolyn’s father, started his own construction business and built their first home in Devon. By the time the fourth son arrived, they began to think that separate bedrooms might make life a little more peaceful around the Howlett household and so, Ken built their second home in New Maryland where they have been since 1977. It is a lovely, warm and welcoming family home presided over by two lovely warm and welcoming people.
Ken and Carolyn started attending the Cathedral in 1963 – 52 years of almost perfect attendance! I asked them to tell me a bit about what they have been involved in over those 52 years and wound up thinking I should have asked if there was anything they hadn’t been involved in!
Ken has:
– served on Bishop and Chapter (many times)
– served as Property Chairman (many times)
– been a member of the Guild of St. Joseph
– served as a sidesman
– taught Sunday school
That’s a lot of service about which he is very humble. But then, we talked about the “little jobs” around the Cathedral that Ken has done, some of which I had heard people talk about in the way that we often talk about legends. Like climbing a forty foot ladder to change a light bulb. By my estimation, that’s about five average ceiling heights and those pesky sanctuary lights require one to step on the very top step in order to reach the bulb. Not for the faint-hearted, but changing the light bulbs in the steeple spotlights on the peak of the Cathedral also wouldn’t be for the faint-hearted, and Ken has done that. He maintained the bells; he wound the clock; worked on the pointing of the stone on the exterior of the Church; helped with the maintenance of the Deanery; etc. Also not for the faint-hearted (at least in my book), Ken has spent more than one night alone in the basement of the Cathedral with no one for company other than a very uncooperative boiler decidedly lacking in warmth. “Not even the famed Cathedral ghost” appeared, according to Ken, who shrugged off my horror of spending the night alone in any basement with a very matter-of-fact “I understood how it worked and the church had to be warm for Sunday services.” Just last year, Ken drove in to the Cathedral three times in the middle of the night to tend to that unruly boiler. I’m not sure what you or I will be doing when we are Ken’s age, but I’m willing to wager not many of us will be heading out at 2 am to tend to a boiler anywhere!
St. Ansgar’s Church, Parish of Denmark
Carolyn has an equally impressive history of service in the church. She too taught Sunday School, her first class at the age of 13 at the Church in New Denmark. She recalled having 20 children in her class of 7 to 9 year olds and enjoying them immensely. While Carolyn did obtain her teaching certificate and did teach for a short while, after her son’s were grown, she decided to launch a new career and went back to university in 1984 to obtain a degree in Social Work. Almost 30 years spent raising four boys, and she was not prepared to simply rest on her laurels! She worked for many years and was well known in the social work community of the Province of NB. At the Cathedral, Carolyn has been active in the ACW, the Little Helpers (predecessor to the Mothers Union), youth work at the Cathedral, a member of the Diocesan Youth Committee, a member of Bishop and Chapter and is currently, the Prayer Chain coordinator. In 1976, Carolyn became the first female from the NB Diocese to attend the General Synod meeting!
Four children, 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 52 years later, Ken and Carolyn are still members of the Christ Church Cathedral congregation and are still serving. Carolyn pointed out that they have seen many changes over the years. They were both keen to note that the addition of the Health Ministry is one that they are very thankful for and one which they both feel has made a big difference to a sense of community in the Cathedral.
Thank you, Ken and Carolyn for allowing me into your home and sharing your story. You have accomplished and are still accomplishing so much in your day to day lives and certainly, in the Cathedral community. And no, Ken, I wouldn’t spend the night in the basement by myself no matter how well acquainted I was with the boiler!
While some tourists arrive at the the Cathedral door with at least some knowledge of New Brunswick history and maybe even knowledge of the religious history of the Province, others enter into an entirely new and unknown world of our local past. Christ Church Cathedral and the influence of Bishop John Medley, who envisioned it, is “a profound and foundational component of our NB heritage,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall.
