Gary Barfitt, President of the Cathedral's Guild of St. Joseph (affectionately known as the Holy Joes), sent us this update about a recent project at the Cathedral. Thanks to the workers who keep our buildings tidy and safe!
Back in the late spring, at one of the last Holy Joes' meetings before summer break, one of our members spoke of the need for the carpet at the Cathedral west entrance to be replaced. We decided to take on the task.
Later in the summer, we removed the old carpet and, upon inspecting the wooden ramp, found that we needed to replace some of the wood. Once the wood was replaced, we contacted a local flooring company to supply and install new carpet.
The final "step" was to install a transition/threshold between the ramp and the driveway [for wheelchairs and walkers to easily roll over the gap]. That was completed recently.
Through exam week, campus ministries are collaborating with faith communities to host Pause Tables. Volunteers will provide free food, beverages, a listening ear and conversation, to give students a break from studying.
The Cathedral branch of Mothers' Union will be handing out treats to the UNB students again this year on 11 December.
You can help by contributing some items!
Deliver non-perishable items (e.g. drink boxes, packaged snacks, hot chocolate packs, etc.) to the Cathedral on Sunday morning or leave them at the Cathedral Office labelled for MU or UNB outreach.
Deliver baked goods (e.g. cookies, muffins, etc.) to the Hall kitchen on Sunday, December 10th between 2-3:30 and 5-7:30 as volunteers from Mothers' Union will be in the building at those times.
Thank you for your help in reaching out to provide care and comfort to university students in our community.
Celebrate the coming of Christmas with Cathedral members and friends!
Gather for soup, rolls, sweets, tea and coffee, surrounded by a display of Snowmen and Santa Claus.
This holiday event will be hosted by the Anglican Church Women (ACW) on Tuesday, 05 December, from 11:30-1:30 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall.
Personal care items and donations will be collected for Grace House women's shelter.
Share your snowmen and Santa decorations to help us decorate! Deliver items to the Cathedral Office between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon on weekdays. Don't forget to label items with your name, so they can be returned!
We have been making these beeswax candles for at least 20 years now. It is the major fundraiser for our group. Each fall, the purple and pink wax is ordered from a company in British Columbia, and we are always surprised at the various shades of these two colours that we receive. Equipped with our hair dryers, we arrive at the Hall kitchen, prepared to make and assemble the sets we hope to sell that year just prior to Advent. We know these candles have become a major part of the Advent celebration in the homes of Cathedral members and others who seek them out each year.
This activity was traditionally carried out at our October Wednesday night meeting, but last year we needed to meet on a Saturday to get it done. We so enjoyed that Saturday morning, and the lunch that followed afterwards, that we decided it would be nice to repeat that this year. About half of our 15 members were able to participate. You will see our members selling the $20 sets, that include 3 purple and 1 pink candle, in the Cathedral starting on 12 November through to the first Sunday in Advent.
The photo below is from our Spring Retreat that took place on Mactaquac Lake. Back row left to right: Sandra Noftell, Bonnie Greenwood, Rosa Macaulay, Susan Black, middle: Kelley Hall, Diane Nash, Susan Watson, Susan Colpitts-Judd, Michele Leblanc, front: Lilian Ketch, Isabel Cutler. Missing from photo: Kathleen Snow, John DosSantos, Joanne Barfitt and Diane Radford.
From left to right: Susan Watson, Kathleen Snow, Diane Radford, Bonnie Greenwood, Joanne Barfitt, John DosSantos, Michele Leblanc, Lilian Ketch, and Susan Colpitts-Judd.
The Cathedral branch of the Mothers’ Union hosted a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tea in June of 2022 and although it was not a fundraising event, we did however, receive donations. After covering our expenses, we decided we wanted to use the balance of the funds to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee in a lasting way.
The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative was launched to encourage people to “Plant a tree for the Jubilee” to mark her 70 years on the throne. It was subsequently extended to give the opportunity to plant trees in the Queen’s memory.
When we heard of this project, we all agreed that this would be the perfect memorial to our beloved Queen Elizabeth II.
After consultation with Eric Hadley, a member of the Cathedral Property Committee, and with help from other members of the Guild of Saint Joseph, our Jubilee Sugar Maple was planted on the corner of Brunswick and Church Streets on May 12.
Ashley Swim, Eric Hadley, and Harry Palmer planting the tree.
Prior to our May 17th meeting, many of our Mothers’ Union members gathered around our tree, a blessing was read, and a group photo was taken. A cold wind had picked up and almost blew us all away so a re-shoot took place on a sunny and warm May 23rd.
Much appreciation is extended to Eric Hadley, Gary Barfitt, Harry Palmer, and Ashley Swim for delivering the tree from the nursery and planting it for us. Thanks to Gary Barfitt and Bill Robinson for taking the photos.
Submitted by Bonnie Greenwood
The Prayer:
Almighty God, we come before you this day in humility and gratitude as we seek your blessing on the life of this Sugar Maple tree, which is planted to remember our Sovereign Lady and Patron Queen Elizabeth II. May this tree take root in this soil, drawing from it water and nutrients, so it may grow and prosper, bringing beauty in its leaves offering shelter to birds and insects and enriching this place with its presence and life. And we ask this in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
On May 10, we hosted a Newcomer Dessert Event at Cathedral Hall. The evening was organized by the Mother's Union, Kurt Schmidt (Director of Christian Formation), and Andreas Decken (Chair of Welcoming and Hospitality).
Kurt and Andreas are extremely grateful to the Mothers' Union for doing an excellent job providing treats and setting up the Hall for the event. We had over 30 people in attendance; many congregational members that are part of various Cathedral Groups were present, but also a number of "new" faces to our worship. We were able to formally welcome people that call Christ Church Cathedral their spiritual home after moving to Fredericton within the last few years. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that many newcomers were active in other parishes prior to moving to Fredericton and bring their expertise, experiences and ideas with them.
Many in attendance also noted that this event was an excellent venue for members of the various groups within the congregation to talk to one another, learn more about each other's involvement and getting to know each other.
"The annual rally day of the Mothers’ Union was held April 29 at Christ Church Cathedral with 50 members in attendance. The day began with a service of Holy Eucharist with several members reading scripture. Dean Geoffrey Hall and Archbishop David Edwards presided. The bishop preached, telling those gathered that the role of a Christian is to reflect the image of God in the world. ..."
Are you relatively new to the Cathedral family -- or "new at heart"?!
If so, you are cordially invited to a welcome, dessert and information-sharing event on Wednesday, 10 May in Cathedral Memorial Hall, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Come along to hear about the various ministries supported by individuals and groups from the Cathedral, and discover the many opportunities to participate, experience, share, or join. We'll introduce you to the wonderful work(s) undertaken by so many of our Cathedral members, and we'll find a way to match your gifts and abilities with one or more of the programs, groups or activities in our Church family. We'll even invent such a way if we have to!
All are welcome, including and especially any newcomers -- those who've joined within the last year or so -- and newcomers at heart!
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 by Tuesday, March 26, 2024 to have memorials published in the Easter 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.
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.
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 get the recipe for Simnel Cake, a traditional Mothering Sunday treat!
