How is it that Kathleen Snow of Fredericton has just become the worldwide president of the Mothers’ Union?
“It wasn’t me,” she said. “It was God!”
Kathleen is a founding member of the MU chapter at Christ Church Cathedral, asked by the dean at the time, the Very Rev. John Wright, to form the group in the 1980s. They began with five members, and are still going strong, with Kathleen taking on various leadership roles locally and beyond...
Ms. Jane Martinez, principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize, recently sent this video which includes photos of the students and staff from 2024, and a holiday greeting.
Ms. Jane also sent this note:
Greetings Friends,
It has been a long and challenging year but a blessing nonetheless. As we come to the end of another year, I want to say how thankful we are to have you as friends praying for and supporting us. Words cannot express the appreciation that we have for your continuous support. Even though we are far in distance, know that you are dear at heart.
I pray that this Christmas season is a blessed and safe one for each of you. We look forward to your continued partnership in the new year. Love you all.
Best, Jane
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 continued 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 Worldwide Mothers' Union has released its Prayer Diary for 2025. Click to download the document. It includes prayers for every day of the year, themes and specific prayer requests, along with places to add your own personal prayers.
From the introduction to the Prayer Diary:
Mothers’ Union members are united through the power of prayer. Prayer is our foundation, our strength, and our inspiration. Each day at midday, Mothers’ Union members all over the world pause to pray. The monthly themes in this Prayer Diary are echoed in our midday prayers.
We invite you to join us as we gather together on our Facebook page for midday prayers. By praying together, we strengthen our bond and remind ourselves that we are always connected in prayer, wherever we are in the world.
The global wave of prayer expresses our commitment to each other, in all the places we work and reside. By joining with and sustaining this wave of prayer, we can be part of something bigger than ourselves. We give thanks for the team of Mothers’ Union members from across the globe who have come together to deliver our 2025 Prayer Diary. The team has worked tirelessly to produce prayer resources that are joined up and help us connect more easily in prayer. We pray that you enjoy listening to the different voices as you partner with us in prayer.
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.
The President of the Worldwide Mothers' Union is Kathleen Snow.
The Anglican Church Women, in partnership with Health Ministry, served 30+ guests at a Christmas Luncheon held 11 December.
The theme was ‘Trees’. Members of the congregation loaned items for a display, and the variety of decorative Christmas trees added to the festive lunch enjoyment.
Personal care items and donations were collected for Grace House women's shelter.
Philip Lee, Julie Maston and Doug Milander welcome guests and provide grocery store vouchers.
Monday Outreach in December was held a bit earlier than usual, to provide pre-Christmas assistance to people in need before the holidays.
With generous help from St. Margaret's Anglican Church and New Maryland United Church, the Cathedral Outreach Committee helped 82 people in need in December. People who visited Memorial Hall on 16 December received a holiday-sized grocery card ($20); a treat bag with sandwich, juice, candy, snacks and fruit, and a non-perishable grocery item. They could also select from a variety of free used clothing and footwear, toiletries, toys for kids, and household goods.
The need in our community is great - and ever-increasing! The committee reports that the monthly average served in 2021 and 2022 was steady at 45; 52 in 2023; 66 in 2024. Many thanks to everyone who helped in any way this year!
Volunteers Rev. Kelly Burke and Steve Hayward from New Maryland United Church, Canon Rod Black, Susan Black, Sharon Miller and Janice Irvine-Meek provide food and other items to guests. Not pictured: the many tables of items that guests could choose from!
Learn more about Monday Outreach (typically held on the last Monday of each month) and our other local outreach initiatives.
Children at the November 24th service help Claire McKnight record the gift donations.
The Outreach Committee sincerely thanks the Cathedral congregation for fulfilling all 65 Christmas Angel requests in. The gifts were delivered to the Greener Village Food Bank by the Robinson family, and the organizers happily accepted the donations to help needy families in Fredericton. The estimated value of the gifts was $2,025.
Thank you to Amélia and Cecilia for creating lovely toppers for our angel trees, and thank you to all of the children who helped Claire gather and record the gifts after worship on November 24th. It was a joy to have so many enthusiastic helpers!
Have a look at the slideshow below for some photos.
Each paper angel hung on small trees in the Cathedral requestied a specific Christmas gift or gift card for a needy boy or girl in our city. For over 30 years, the Angel Tree program in Fredericton has provided gifts for children in need, and the Cathedral congregation has been involved for over 25 years. The Fredericton Food Bank, Greener Village, coordinates the collection of names and wishes, and solicits local businesses and individuals to show kindness through gift giving.
The need is great, and this year, Greener Village anticipates filling wishes for over 2000 children in our city.
Although group donations have been collected, individual angels are still available on an Angel Tree located in the Regent Mall. In addition to angel tags requesting a specific gift, the program also accepts monetary donations to purchase gifts and help families in need through other food bank programs.
Another way to give:
Would you prefer to support Christmas outreach initiatives in a different way? Write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line or mark your offering envelope. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchen. Please deliver donations to the Cathedral Office by 15 December, to allow time for distribution to the charities.
Alex Pope and Linda Hall, two of the many volunteers who assisted with the Pause Table.
On 09 December, members of the Cathedral branch of Mothers’ Union spent the day giving baked goods, bagels, treats and encouragement to students studying for exams at UNB.
The 'Pause Table' initiative has become one that is welcomed by university students during exam week. Campus ministries at the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University once again collaborated with faith communities to host Pause Tables during exams. Volunteers provided free food, beverages, a listening ear, and conversation, and handwritten personalized notes to give students a break from studying.
Thank you to everyone who provided time and treats for the Pause Tables!
The Rev. Canon Jon Lownds checks cameras and monitors during the 139th Session of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton, held at Christ Church Cathedral. He was one of several people handing the technology needs of the day.
From the Bishop’s Charge to archdeaconry presentations, one word rang out: community.
Last spring, as Archbishop David Edwards began discerning his charge for diocesan synod, the word community came to mind — the concept of we, as Anglicans, being community for and in our communities.
All that culminated in a day that focused mainly on others, as 215 people— clerics, laity, volunteers, observers, diocesan staff and guests — gathered at Christ Church Cathedral Nov. 2 for the 139th Session of the Diocesan Synod of Fredericton.
Also, enjoy the slideshow below - photos of members of the Cathedral congregation at the Diocesan Synod. Thank you to Gary Barfitt for his photography skills!
The Sanctuary Guild of Christ Church Cathedral encourages gifts for flowers in memory or as a thank offering at the High Altar and throughout the Cathedral, at any time and especially at festival times of the church year.
Forms must be received in the Cathedral office by Wednesday, December 18, 2024 to have memorials published in the Christmas bulletin. Thank you.
Complete this form and return it to the Cathedral Office. Paper copies are available at the back of the Cathedral and at the Office.
Payments may be made by cash, cheque, or online donation (be sure to indicate memorial flowers, and the names to be listed in the bulletin).
Christ Church Cathedral Bishop and Chapter is currently seeking for its membership an individual to chair the Christian Formation Committee. This committee’s primary responsibility is “to guide and sustain opportunities that will enable and encourage the development and growth of cradle to grave Christian formation”—and the Committee chair will take leadership in meeting that responsibility.
Position Description – The Committee chairperson will work with a team of dedicated volunteers who are interested in Christian Education and Formation opportunities at the Cathedral including responsibility for the support of the Director of Christian Formation, the Godly Play leadership team, the Mothers’ Union, and other formation program leaders. (These programs currently include but are not limited to Godly Play, Cathedral Youth Group (CYG), sacramental preparation, Art & Faith, Taizé, and special liturgical-seasonal offerings such as the Cathedral ADVENT-ures and Ad-LENT-ures).
Importantly, the committee chair is a member of Bishop and Chapter and the liaison between The Chapter and all Christian formation programs.
Responsibilities
Schedule and conduct meetings of the Christian Formation Committee
Complete reports for Bishop and Chapter, and attend Chapter meetings
Submit budgetary requirements and requests to the Chapter
Coordinate the completion of a year-end Committee report for the Annual Congregational Meeting
Benefits
Ongoing development and enhancement of your own faith
Fellowship opportunities
Knowledge of Bishop and Chapter activities and processes
Opportunity to help all members of our Cathedral community to grow and deepen in their life of faith
The gratification of meaningful and hard work—and the FUN!
This is a volunteer position open to all members of the Cathedral family eligible for Bishop and Chapter membership. The position will begin with election in March 2025. Please speak to any member of the Nominating Committee – Jane Hand, Jill Dunderdale, Kurt Schmidt, Dean Geoffrey Hall) if interested or if you require further information. Contact can also be made through the Cathedral Office (506) 450- 8500.
How is it that Kathleen Snow of Fredericton has just become the worldwide president of the Mothers’ Union?
