Mothering Sunday celebrations on 30 March included an enrolment of new Mothers' Union members and a fundraising luncheon.
Branch leader Susan Watson shared this message:
"The Cathedral Mothers’ Union wishes to thank the congregation for their attendance at our Chili and Soup Luncheon. We really appreciate how everyone has supported us and our projects, and we would welcome any interested persons to inquire about joining us. We are so pleased to welcome our 4 new members, installed at the service on Mothering Sunday.
Please take a moment to view our presentation that highlights both our local branch and Mothers’ Union International."
The presentation and photos from the event can be viewed below.
Join us for a hot lunch after worship on Sunday, 30 March (Mothering Sunday).
The Cathedral branch of Mothers’ Union will serve soup, chili and simnel cake at this fundraising luncheon in Cathedral Memorial Hall.
Members of the congregation are invited for food and fellowship. Feel free to bring a friend! Freewill offerings at the luncheon will support the work of Mothers’ Union.
Mothering Sunday, not to be confused with Canadian Mother's Day, is celebrated in Anglican Churches on the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Learn more about Mothering Sunday and Simnel Cake, a traditional Mothering Sunday treat.
Mothers' Union is an international Christian membership charity of 4 million members living in over 80 countries, who share one heartfelt vision — to bring about a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. Members actively pursue this vision through community programs, advocacy campaigns and a committed prayer life.
This winter, Dean Geoffrey Hall visited Montgomery Street School to present a donation to help children in need at the school. They were welcomed by Principal Rebecca Piercy and several children. The school community is thankful for the $2000 donation toward the school lunch and winter clothing programs.
Members of the Cathedral congregation had contributed to a 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign in November to support the programs at the school, which has a number of children in need.
This is the fourth year that the Cathedral congregation has supported programs at Montgomery Street School. In 2021,2022, 2023 and 2024, donated funds have been directed towards the lunch program and ensuring that children in need have adequate winter clothing to safely enjoy Fredericton's winter climate. In 2021, funds also helped to create sensory rooms for children with developmental challenges.
Montgomery Street Elementary School is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. It has a diverse student body. Approximately 250 children are enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 5, and the child to parent ratio is high. Its Home and School Association, a volunteer group of parents, guardians and staff representatives, regularly fundraises for school initiatives and to support students and families in need.
We're grateful for the contributions to this community outreach project which will help to feed and clothe our neighbours in need.
The most recent letters from our high school scholarship recipients are below. Our congregation currently sponsors four students' high school tuition. In Belize, high school is not publicly funded, and these students would have financial difficulty attending if not for the scholarships they receive.
Some of the letters were long, so we have included excerpts.
Letter from Amalio (Grade 9 - our newest scholarship recipient)
Joyful greetings from Amalio Revolorio and wishing you the best of all the blessings.
I am a 13 year old child. I was born on March 27, 2011. My favourite sports are football and volleyball. One thing I enjoy doing the most is reading books. I love to read non-fiction books, because some books talk about a person’s life, often giving advice.
As a person I am respectful and kind. Things I like about myself are that I am a very dedicated and responsible. In my family at this moment there is only three of us, my mother (single), my brother and me. I have my grandparents living only from my mother’s side. The family close to me is my mother’s family.
I am in 1 Tapir, that’s my class name, and I am the class president. My classes have been good so far. I learnt things in primary school and I am familiar with them, so I understand the work especially when it comes to Math and English subjects. At my orientation day I was nervous, but as the week went I adapted to the classroom and I started talking with some students. What I enjoy from my homeroom teacher and subject teachers is that they are kind, respectful and most important helpful. What I enjoy about my subjects is that I understand them as well as I enjoy myself learning them.
My goals for this school year is to have a 90% and above in every subject so I don’t take exam, also I look forward for a 4.0 GPA and I will achieve this goal by doing my work as best as possible. If I needed help along the way I think my friends can help me because they are dedicated.
As a president I face challenges. Some of my classmates don’t listen when I speak to them. I cope with this challenge by being strong and not giving up. I also told the homeroom teacher about it.
Thanks to God because by his grade I have no subject giving myself trouble. The only thing is that I had never used a computer so I am slow with typing on it.
Now I say thank you for the scholarship. I am very appreciative of it. This scholarship has helped me to stay more focus and show more interest in my studies. I will do all my classwork, homework and projects to pass so I can keep this scholarship. If I could change one thing in the world, it would that there may be free education everywhere. I would change this because I show interest in school and my studies, I want to continue studying and I know I am not the only one who wants to study. I would like to give this message to the world: “appreciate what you have because not everyone has what another person has.”
I would like to wish you the best of the best for you and your family, I wish you more prosper.
With love and appreciation,
Amalio
Letter from Sylvia (Grade 10)
Dear sponsor,
I am writing to thank you once again for always helping me. It has been such an honor to me. I am very grateful for your financial support and will forever be thankful.
I am now in the 10th grade and have been doing very well. I hope to continue and I will. This year was a blast and I had so much fun. I have been participating in so many activities like dances, acting and so forth. I would really like to join a sport, but there are no girls’ teams. This year I participated in the school’s harvest presentation. My class and I did a beautiful dance. I also participated in the chapel skits and dances and the Christmas presentation. We also had some sports days which I also participated in.
We had our 1st semester exams and I’m pretty sure I passed. I love my school so much and would never change to another school. Also, I never got any demerits nor suspension, I never disrespect teachers, I always do my homework and get good grades, I am also helpful to teachers and I will continue doing my best. I have a very big goal and I really want to succeed.
Once again, thank you so much.
Sincerely yours truly,
Silvia
Letter from Caleb (Grade 11)
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 hasn’t been easy but I continue to push on because I’m determined to make my family proud and reach new height.
With 2nd semester around the corner I plan to join my school’s track and field team again but to do so I have to keep all my grades high. We also received word that we will not be taking exams this year but instead a major project.
May God keep us safe for further days ahead, and I greatly thank you for this amazing opportunity.
Caleb
Letter from Korey (Grade 12)
Dear Christ Church Cathedral,
I hope this message finds you well. As the year comes to a close and the Christmas season arrives, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support through this scholarship.
Your contribution has made a significant difference in my academic journey, and I am truly thankful for the opportunities it has provided. I am now at the exciting stage of deciding which college I will attend to further my studies, and I currently have two options in mind. Before making this important decision, I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance you might have. If there are any colleges you would recommend, I would be grateful for your insights.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas filled with peace, love, and happiness. May the New Year bring you continued success and blessings.
Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity.
March in Belize schools is 'Child Stimulation Month' and the students at St. Hilda's Anglican School will be engaged in a variety of fun activities. Principal Jane Martinez sent us these photos of teachers and preschool children at the event launch.
AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for emergency use are accessible in both of our buildings.
In the Cathedral, the AED is hung on the back wall, near the refreshment area. In Memorial Hall, an AED has been placed in the kitchen, on top of the First Aid box on the wall near the dishwasher.
Always call 911 in an emergency.
Using an AED offers someone with a sudden cardiac arrest the best chance for survival. The machines are designed to be easy for the public to use, and give audible directions. An AED will not shock a person unless it detects a shockable rhythm.
All models of AEDs work similarly. Below, you'll find two short videos demonstrating how to use the type of AEDs we have in the Cathedral and Memroial Hall. Please spend a few minutes watching them - it could help you save a life!
If an AED is used, please contact the Cathedral Office, so that we can replace materials used in the resuscitation effort. Thank you to our Health Ministry team for procuring these tools and keeping our First Aid kits stocked.
Learn more about what to do in case of a sudden cardiac arrest: Visit the Call Push Shock website.
Demo of AED model available in Memorial Hall kitchen:
Demo of AED model available at the back of the Cathedral:
What should you do in case of sudden cardiac arrest? Call - Push - Shock
A message from Gary Barfitt, President of the Guild of St. Joseph, affectionately known as the "Holy Joes":
"The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is now behind us, and 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 (over 60 of you) who worked to get the pancakes, sausages, beans, and gingerbread prepared and moved from the back of the kitchen to the 208 diners at the tables in the Hall. We especially thank those diners who supported us by attending the event and enjoying the meal and the opportunity to spend time with friends. Your generosity raised over $2100 toward the work of the Guild."
Have a look at some photos below, courtesy of Carol Ann Melvin and Heather Perritt.
Shrove Tuesday has always been a celebration for the Cathedral congregation.
Join us at Cathedral Memorial Hall, 168 Church Street, on 04 March, 2025 between 4:30-6:30 pm. The meal will include pancakes, sausages, and beans followed by gingerbread with toppings. Coffee and tea will be available. Admission is by freewill donation.
We need a few extra helpers to make it happen again this year! Can you assist as a table server? It's always a smooth-running and enjoyable event with lots of smiles and “thank you”s, and it’s a great way to see old friends and new visitors. Contact Jim Morell or the Cathedral Office to volunteer. Email <office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone 506-450-8500.
See photos from past pancake suppers, and more activities and events from the Guild of St. Joseph.
Our Cathedral family has had an ongoing relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Belize, since our first mission trip in 2005 with the Cathedral Puppeteers. The Mission and Outreach Committee is now looking to gauge interest in potentially organizing another mission trip.
God expects all Christians, and His church, to take the love of Christ into the world. One way in which we can do this is through mission. Part of this mission involves helping others, perhaps less fortunate than ourselves. From past experience we also know that both the preparation and the actual mission trip have a very positive effect on the spiritual growth and faith of individuals. For several it has been a life-changing and faith-growing experience.
Our most recent visit to Belize was in 2018, but we have kept an active relationship with St. Hilda's school and various scholarship students over the years. The school principal, Ms. Jane Martinez, has expressed a desire to have us return.
At this time, no dates have been determined, but if we were to consider a return in 2026, preparations will need to commence very soon. If there is enough interest, we will put together a steering committee and will organize sessions to share more information. Among other things, a team leader will be required and a commitment from others to participate on the home team as well.
For now, our ask is, for any of you who may be interested, to reach out to the Cathedral Office with your contact information.
Learn more about our support for St. Hilda's School, and our scholarship program for high school students in Belize.
Archbishop David Edwards has appointed the Rev. Debbie Edmondson as chaplain at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton for a one-year period, with the possibility of renewal, beginning 01 February, 2025.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Debbie grew up in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick, where she still makes her home with Phillip, her husband of 45+ years. They have two sons and daughters-in-law and four grandchildren, who are a tremendous source of joy.
She is a life-long Anglican, with, as she describes, “a well rounded Ecumenical background.” Drawing on her rural roots, she leads workshops and retreats with humour and a down to earth sense of the sacred. Debbie was ordained as a Vocational Deacon on 01 February 2009. She completed training in Spiritual Direction with the Haden Institute in conjunction with Mount Carmel Spiritual Center in Niagara Falls in 2014.
Debbie has always been involved with her church community through groups and activities from teaching Sunday School to serving on Vestry to being a Layreader and then being called to Ordained Ministry, which she feels is an ongoing learning and awakening experience. On 01 February, 2025, Debbie was appointed as chaplain at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton by Archbishop David Edwards. Debbie is also the Cathedral Hospital Visitors Coordinator, the Diocesan Representative for the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer and a member of the Diocesan Spiritual Development Team.
