On Sunday 18 May, Kathleen Snow, Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union, will join an Anglican delegation attending the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV!
Please pray for Kathleen and the delegation as they travel for this momentous event.
Read the details on the Mothers' Union website.
On 06 May, the Cathedral was the setting for a lovely afternoon Tea prepared, hosted and served by ACW and Health Ministry members. Ten tables were set and elegantly adorned with spring-like flowers and soft pastel colored napkins. Delicate sandwiches (crustless, of course) and mouth-watering sweets accompanied by bottomless cups of freshly brewed tea were on offer. And the offer was taken up by approximately 40 people. Gentlemen and ladies alike.
The Blue Drawing Room where the Duchess of Bedford entertained guests for Afternoon Tea.
We have all heard of “high tea” and “afternoon tea” and probably all recognize both as typically British customs. Indeed, a little excursion into Google will tell you that we have the very British Anna, the Duchess of Bedford to thank for coming up with the idea of “afternoon tea” sometime in the 19th century. Whereas we now tend to view it as a special and often quite elaborate treat, for the peckish Duchess it started out as simply a snack between meals. She would request tea accompanied by finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and cakes just for her. No simple apple or peanut butter sandwich to tide Anna over!
Anna so enjoyed her afternoon snacks that she soon began inviting her friends and relatives to join her and as news spread of these afternoon occasions (which sometimes included entertainment), others started hosting their own tea parties and before they knew it, the entire country was on to Anna’s invention and a tradition was born.
So what distinguishes “afternoon tea” from “high tea”? Well believe it or not, it seems to have been the type of chair one sits in, along with one’s class. Anna’s wealthy friends and relatives dined seated on low, comfortable and well-padded chairs and sofas. Whilst the working class folks whose jobs didn’t allow for a lengthy afternoon tea, such as enjoyed by the Royals and rich, took their tea after 5:00 pm and sitting in high backed chairs (no doubt not well-padded) and high tables. Thus was born “high tea”! Needless to say, it isn’t only the chairs that differentiate the two. Crustless sandwiches and delicate sweets weren’t exactly the nectar of working class men and women. “High tea” is what is now known as supper or dinner and is the substantial evening meal. Although some folks in Britain still refer to that meal as “tea”, the use of the word high has largely been dropped.
What hasn’t changed, is the appeal of an afternoon tea! It’s an opportunity to slow down and savour a cup of tea and delicious finger food whilst enjoying the company of new and old friends in perhaps much the same way that Anna did. It’s a treat in this busy life allowing us to put our lives on hold and just relax. It can also be an opportunity to celebrate a special occasion.
This Medley Tea in the Cathedral was both. Time to chat and enjoy friends and time to celebrate the milestone 100th birthday of Mary Alwood! Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and we look forward to sharing more Medley Teas with Mary and everyone!
A special thank you to our verger and historian, Hank Williams, for putting together a special selection of historical pieces and being on hand to answer questions. These pieces and the accompanying write-ups were quite extraordinary.
Many thanks to all involved in making this such a lovely occasion, and thanks to Duchess Anna for her tendency to be peckish in the afternoon!
- by Gail MacGillivray
Canadian contingent of MU members supporting Kathleen Snow at her commissioning in March in London.
To say Kathleen Snow’s life has changed is an understatement.
The newly commissioned president of Mothers’ Union worldwide now has a travel schedule that rivals that of a busy CEO.
Last fall she spent a few weeks in Argentina to visit Mothers’ Union members and see projects first-hand. Then in February, she jetted off to the UK to meet Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, the new patron of Mothers’ Union. In March she was back for her commissioning. ...
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Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published on the NB Anglican website on April 29, 2025.
On 26 April, at the annual Mothers’ Union Diocesan Rally at St. Mary's Church, Archbishop David Edwards installed the Canadian Council and the Diocesan Council of the Mothers’ Union, both of which will serve in office for the next four years. We're pleased to have several members of the Cathedral congregation involved with Mothers' Union at the Canadian and Diocesan levels.
Pictured in the photos are:
Susan Watson (Canadian Provincial President), Joanne Ham (Canadian Vice President)(Diocesan Past President), Susan Black (Canadian Secretary), Adele Knox (Canadian Northern Clergy Families Fund), Heather Miller (Canadian CoMarketing), Alice Kennedy (Canadian CoMarketing), Mary Stone (Past Canadian Provincial President), Shara Golden (Advisor to Canadian Council GBV chair)(Diocesan Vice President), Rev. David Smith (Canadian Chaplin), Bonnie Greenwood (Canadian CoNewsletter Editor) Susan Colpitts-Judd (Canadian CoNewsletter Editor)(Diocesan Secretary), Lilian Ketch (Canadian Conference Coordinator)(Diocesan President), Deanna Morrison (Diocesan Link Secretary), Elaine Robichaud (Diocesan Treasurer), Kathleen Snow (Worldwide President), Pat Margison (Diocesan Historian), and Rev. Caleb Twinamatsiko (Diocesan Chaplin).
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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.
View / download the Canadian Mothers' Union information brochure
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.
W
hen many people think of churches, they think of buildings filled with people on Sundays and holidays, but empty and closed for most of the week.
At the Cathedral (and indeed, in many churches), that isn’t the case.
Christ Church Cathedral was given recognition as a National Historic Site in 1981. Along with being a stunning example of Gothic revival architecture, the Cathedral also played a part in the designation of Fredericton as a City by Queen Victoria. Due to its historic and architectural significance, our Cathedral is a popular tourist destination in Fredericton. It is located in the heart of downtown Fredericton, near the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge.
Each year, thousands of tourists visit the Cathedral. In July and August alone, we typically welcome between two and three thousand visitors. Free guided tours are provided seven days a week during the summer months, thanks to a funding community funding grant from the City of Fredericton. Throughout the rest of the year, between September and June, visitors are invited to visit the Cathedral on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., learning about the architecture and history using self-guided tour booklets which are available in four languages (English, French, Spanish and German). Private tours are sometimes arranged upon request for groups - it’s not uncommon for us to receive special requests from conference organizers or Fredericton Tourism staff.
Another benefit of the Cathedral being open to the public on weekdays is to give people a quiet place to pray. Some churches in our area are not able to remain open throughout the week. We welcome attendance at morning and evening prayer, held at 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday to Friday, and lasting approximately fifteen minutes each. Throughout the day between those times, anyone is welcome to visit for prayer or reflection.
Worship including Holy Eucharist is held in the Cathedral on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m. We rotate between traditional and contemporary services. Choral Evensong is held once a month, plus regular Taizé worship. Special services are held on weekdays throughout the year, such as during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and days such as the Ascension, New Year’s, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (visit our calendar for schedules), along with weddings and funerals upon request. Baptisms, First Communions and Confirmations are typically held on festival Sundays. Many services are livestreamed.
Because of the magnificent architecture of the Cathedral, many photographers drop by to take photos inside and outside, and individuals and photography teachers can schedule sessions within the Cathedral. We encourage photographers to share or tag us in their Cathedral photos.
Speaking of photography… did you know that several movies and television programs have used the Cathedral to film scenes? Theatre performances have also been held inside and outside the Cathedral (Godspell and Camelot, to name just two!). During the summer months, the Calithumpians Theatre Troupe performs family-friendly performances on the Cathedral lawn, as well as hosting summer camps. Children are welcome inside the Cathedral.
Accessible gender-neutral washrooms (one with a changing table) are open to the public.
Many musical events and concerts are held at Christ Church Cathedral each year. In addition to regular rehearsals of our Cathedral Choir, Youth Choir and Worship band, the community choral group Bel Canto Singers hold weekly rehearsals in the Cathedral. Because of the fabulous acoustics, we are a favoured venue for classical and choral music. We have hosted concerts for local groups such as the Fredericton Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Sinfonia, the Elm City String Quartet, Bel Canto Singers, Delacroix Classix, and many more. We have also welcomed touring musicians such as the Gerdan Theatre Ukrainian Choir, Choeur Louisbourg, and Dan Bremnes. The Cathedral was the site of Fredericton's 175th anniversary concert, A Celebration of Us, and is often selected as one of the locations for the NB Summer Music Festival. Each year, the Cathedral Director of Music organizes our long-running Summer Music Series, which presents free concerts on Fridays over the lunch hour, featuring a variety of musicians, soloists and groups from Fredericton and beyond.
E
ven a weekly exercise class is held in the Cathedral! Chair Yoga is held on Friday mornings throughout most of the year. It’s a gentle way to stretch and get in shape, suitable for a variety of ages and abilities. Holding the class in the Cathedral makes it convenient to enter for people with mobility challenges. Our Health Ministry team organizes this initiative, and also holds blood pressure clinics several times a year in the Cathedral.
A variety of groups, speakers and classes also use the Cathedral and lawn on an as-needed basis. These include guest speakers whose lectures are sometimes livestreamed, sacramental preparation courses, training for groups such as servers, and congregational and community groups such as our Sanctuary Guild, Mothers’ Union, Guild of St. Joseph, Anglican Church Women, Diocese of Fredericton, Scouts and Cubs, L’Arche Fredericton, and a guided autobiography group. Fellowship events such as teas and picnics are also held in and around the Cathedral.
You are welcome to visit the Cathedral (for the first time, or more often). You’ll find us at 150 Church Street, and our doors are open weekdays between 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (excepting holidays, and with an extended 7-day schedule in the summer). Sometimes you’ll have an opportunity for quiet reflection or touring, and other times you’ll encounter some of our dedicated staff, clergy, or volunteers. Say hello! We encourage you to become aware of and involved in activities happening in the Cathedral throughout the year.
As for how Cathedral Memorial Hall is used… the story of that well-used building will have to be a whole separate article!
The slideshow below shows photos of a wide range of activities in and around the Cathedral:
A warm thank you to all who participated in the 27 January ACW meeting, sharing lunch and fellowship.
For 25 years our Anglican Church Women have supported female students at Bishop McAllister College in Uganda. For many years, support was generated by our fundraising projects, augmented by dividends from bank shares held by Bishop and Chapter in trust for the ACW. It now is timely that the shares be cashed and the revenue invested.
The gathering willingly approved and endorsed the ACW Executive Committee’s course of action to invest in the Cathedral Anglican Church Women Education Trust Fund as managed by the DCIF of the Diocese and they accepted the Terms of Reference that this Fund will continue supporting students at this worthy institution.
