Join Isabel Cutler, Deacon, on the fourth Saturday of each month for an informal gathering of Cathedral family members who have felt the loss of a beloved family member or friend. Reflect with others who have been following the same path, supporting each other in a shared experience.
Gatherings will be held inside Christ Church Cathedral, for ease of accessibility.
Join us on the fourth Saturday of each month, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Chair yoga is returning to the Cathedral after a summer break, and attendees are looking forward to gathering for this gentle exercise.
An initiative of the Health Ministry, the classes are led by experienced yoga instructor Monique Smith.
Ideal for both young and old, chair yoga is a unique way to exercise while sitting in a chair. Classes will be held in the Cathedral, making it easy even for those with mobility issues.
As Monique explains, “As far as abilities, even beginners will feel welcomed! … The key is to listen to one’s body.”
These weekly classes are sure to provide a stress-free way to exercise your body, mind, and spirit in fun and friendly group sessions.
Chair yoga classes resume on Friday, 15 September, held from 10:15-11:00 a.m. All classes are open to the public to drop-in, with no need to register. The cost is $5 per session, payable each week.
Still curious about Chair Yoga? Learn more in the article, Chair Yoga and Why Seated Yoga Poses are Good for You.
Did you know that you can request immediate, confidential prayer for any matter?
The Cathedral Prayer Network is a committee of caring individuals who pray for others. It is different from the public prayer list printed in the Sunday bulletin. Confidentiality of prayer requests is at the core of the group's work.
The Prayer Network is in need of new volunteers. Contact Coordinator Linda Waugh for details or with a prayer request. Phone (506) 450-3057 or email <lmwaugh at live.com>.
The article below, written by Ann Deveau in 2021 when leadership of the Prayer Network moved from Carolyn Howlett to Linda Waugh, describes the function and the heart of the Prayer Network.
Do you feel called to serve in this ministry?
Award-winning author Philip Yancey writes that prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet and relate.
“We're supposed to be a praying people,” agrees Carolyn Howlett in recalling why she got involved in the prayer network at the cathedral. “We're on a daily walk with the Lord, and it's important to listen, to care and to bring the needs of other people to Him.”
I
n 1996 a co-ordinator was needed to take over from Reid and Ethel Saunders who had capably led the prayer network for some time. Carolyn offered to step in, never thinking she would be at the helm for a quarter of a century.
“There was a small, willing group of volunteers in the cathedral community to pray for congregational needs and other issues, and it grew over time,” she says.
Sometimes people ask God for all manner of things: to sell their house, to find a job, to survive a divorce, to make it rain.
“We weren't dealing with those types of problems; we focused on requests for healing,” Carolyn says. She stresses that confidentiality was always of the highest importance, and it remains so.
She would inform the other members by telephone -- in more recent years by e-mail -- that a person was struggling with cancer treatments or a serious accident, that a major surgery was under way, that someone was hospitalized and near death.
Isabelle Hockin, one of several longtime members, puts it this way: “I think it’s a huge comfort to people with an urgent concern to know that they can turn to the prayer chain and trust that there will be a group of believers praying for them and/or their loved ones in their hour of need.”
She sees Matthew 7:7 as the guiding principle: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.
Feedback was usually positive, regardless of the outcome of the particular situation. Typical comments include “the prayer chain made all the difference” or “it uplifted us at a difficult time” or “it helped me with my grief.”
After 25 years
, the time has come for Carolyn to pass the torch to another member of the congregation who also believes that being a Christian means leading a life of prayer.
Linda Waugh has been a member of a Charis group for more than 20 years and has always been willing to pray for others.
“I have been thankful for their prayers when I needed them,” Linda explains. “Prayer is powerful, and it is very comforting to know there are others praying for you. In turn, I was glad to be able to pray for other members when they needed prayer.”
Linda thinks it's possible that some people in the cathedral family don't realize that they can ask for confidential prayers for themselves, their friends and family members who need God's love and healing.
“I hope people will feel free to get in touch with me, so that the good work done in the past can be continued for a long time to come,” she says. “My e-mail address is <lmwaugh at live.com> which will likely be published often in the church bulletin for people's convenience.”
Linda is also thankful that Carolyn has agreed to continue as a member of the prayer network.
“It's such a part of me,” Carolyn says, absolutely confident that prayer is effective in bringing God's compassion and comfort to people in their times of trouble.
--by Ann Deveau
The Cathedral's Health Ministry Team would like to share the updated recommendations for Spring COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Many people are continuing to fall ill, and our congregation includes many over 65 years, plus families with immunocompromised loved ones.
The information below is from New Brunswick Public Health. Read more details.
The more people who are immunized against COVID-19, the harder it is for the virus to spread. We strongly recommend to stay up-to-date with the COVID vaccines recommended to you. Do your part and get vaccinated.
| NEW recommendations for Spring Booster COVID-19 vaccination
(Spring booster is between April and end of June 2023) *5 months interval from last dose or COVID infection (whichever is the most recent) * |
|
| Population | Recommendation |
| Individuals 65 years and older
|
Spring 2023 booster is encouraged whether or not you had a fall booster (especially if unsure of being infected with COVID-19 disease in the past) |
| Individuals aged 18 + living in Long Term Care Facilities | Spring 2023 booster is encouraged (whether or not you had a fall booster) |
| Individuals 18 years and older moderately to severely immunocompromised | Spring 2023 booster is encouraged (whether or not you had a fall booster) |
| Individuals 12-17 years old considered healthy or immunocompromised
|
If fall booster 2022 received: No additional dose needed at this time
If fall booster 2022 not received: Spring 2023 booster is recommended |
| Individuals 5-11 years old considered healthy or immunocompromised
|
If fall booster 2022 received: No additional dose needed at this time
If fall booster 2022 not received: Spring 2023 booster is recommended |
| Individuals 6 months to less than 5 years of age considered healthy or immunocompromised | A primary series continued to be recommended
No booster dose needed at this time |
Visit the NB Public Health website for details about vaccines and booking an appointment.
Join us for yoga this winter and spring!
The Cathedral Health Ministry is pleased to announce a new series of chair yoga classes led by experienced yoga instructor Monique Smith.
Ideal for both young and old, chair yoga is a unique way to exercise while sitting in a chair. Classes will be held in the Cathedral, making it easy even for those with mobility issues.
As Monique explains, “As far as abilities, even beginners will feel welcomed! … The key is to listen to one’s body.”
These weekly classes are sure to provide a stress-free way to exercise your body, mind, and spirit in fun and friendly group sessions.
Chair yoga classes will be held on Fridays from 10:15-11:00 a.m. beginning March 3 and running to the start of June. All classes are drop-in with no need to register. The cost is $5 per session, payable each week. See you there!
Still curious about Chair Yoga? Learn more in the article, Chair Yoga and Why Seated Yoga Poses are Good for You.
** Update April 26, 2023: we have received a new shipment, and now have test kits back in stock again **
Thanks to the initiative of our Health Ministry team, COVID-19 rapid test kits are available for pick-up, free of charge, in the lobby of Cathedral Memorial Hall and in the Cathedral.
The Cathedral has enrolled in the Stop the Spread program, a collaboration of the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Canada, an initiative that was recently promoted to New Brunswick churches by the NB Anglican.
Under the program, the Cathedral Office receives regular shipments of COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits, which are available for pick-up by members of the congregation, community groups which meet in the Hall, and the public. The take-home kits are also offered to guests in need during the monthly outreach program for people in need.
A chart showing mask effectiveness. Click to enlarge
In addition, high quality masks (KN95 respirators) have been delivered, and are available in several locations in the Cathedral and Hall. These masks fit securely and are very effective at reducing the spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19, which linger in the air of poorly ventilated rooms. Members of the congregation and visitors are encouraged to help themselves to the masks.
No appointment is necessary to pick-up test kits and masks. The public is invited to take what they need from the ledge in the hall lobby or the entry table in the Cathedral. The Cathedral (150 Church Street) and Cathedral Memorial Hall (168 Church Street) are open most non-holiday weekdays until approximately 5:00 p.m., plus select evenings during community and congregational events. If you need assistance, Cathedral office hours are weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Public health professionals caution that COVID-19 and other illnesses increase when more time is spent indoors during cold winter months. They recommend caring for others by masking, staying home when sick, and testing. They hope that these practices will also help to reduce the strain on our health care system, as New Brunswick hospitals are facing strain and long wait times in emergency departments.
Retired nurse and Cathedral Health Ministry team member Marilyn Lewell encourages the use of rapid tests to detect illness. “Please pick up a box of tests to have on-hand in case you get sick. It will save last minute trips when you feel ill.”
"We continue to be grateful for the vigilance of our Health Ministry committee," says Sally Dibblee, Bishop and Chapter Chair of Health and Pastoral Care. "We are truly blessed. They have shown genuine concern and care for our parishioners throughout the Pandemic."
If you receive a negative rapid test result but continue to have symptoms, mask and test again in a few days, as it takes time for your body to accumulate enough virus to show up positive on a test. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “the accuracy of a test can vary depending on when your sample is taken during the course of your illness. If you're tested too soon after you were exposed to COVID-19, there may not be enough virus in your body for an accurate result.”
Many doctors and epidemiologists are now recommending that people using at-home rapid test kits take a throat swab, cheek swab and nasal swab (with the same Q-tip), as this method appears to be more accurately recognizing the new COVID-19 variants.
If you test positive, New Brunswick Public Health recommends that you:
Since people can become infected with COVID-19 more than once, the public is recommended to test when symptoms are present, and keep their vaccinations up to date. Vaccines have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and lessen the incidence of hospitalizations. Vaccination appointments are available in many locations throughout New Brunswick.
Rapid test kits may also be picked up at New Brunswick Public Health kit distribution centres.
Click to view full graphic
Cathedral hospital visitors are eager to see patients at hospitals but no longer have access to patient information. If you or a member of your family is admitted and would welcome a visit, it’s necessary for us to know about the admission and the unit/room location of the patient.
If you have a planned admission or unexpectedly find yourself or a loved one in the hospital, please contact the Cathedral Office or the Dean with the unit and room number of the patient. Hospital visitors can no longer access private records from hospital records and patient listings are no longer provided.
Protocols at hospitals and care facilities have changed frequently during the pandemic, and we are still following the various safety procedures at each facility.
Communion at home or in hospital is available.
If you would like a home or hospital visit for yourself or a family member, please contact the Dean or the Cathedral Office.
Dean Geoffrey Hall: (506) 450-7761
Cathedral Office: (506) 450-8500
Our Parish Nurse is on extended medical leave. Please keep Sarah her in your thoughts and prayers.
If you have a Health Ministry need at this time, please contact the Cathedral Office by email or phone (506) 450-8500 or Dean Geoffrey Hall by email or phone (506) 450-7761, and we can connect you with a member of the Health Ministry or Pastoral Care teams.
[Updated April 12, 2022]
Our Parish Nurse shares information about Paxlovid, a new treatment for COVID-19.
As another week of COVID-19 continues on with cases surging and reduction to public safety measures, I wanted to remind those who are eligible (see below) that Paxlovid is a treatment option for eligible New Brunswickers who contract COVID-19.
To obtain the medication, a positive result from a COVID test administered through Public Health is required, so book a test immediately if you think you might have COVID. You must receive a PCR test, not an at-home rapid testing kit.
Inform your Primary Care Provider that you have tested positive for COVID-19 and you would like to be assessed for Paxlovid. If you do not have or cannot reach your primary care provider, call 811 or e-VisitNB to see a New Brunswick nurse practitioner or doctor online.
Paxlovid can be given in the first 5 days of symptom onset. It is available to those who are:
To be eligible for this medication you must meet the following criteria:
Additional information about Paxlovid and criteria is available on the New Brunswick Public Health website. Contact your Primary Care Provider for more information.
Second COVID-19 booster doses are set to become available in New Brunswick on 19 April at participating pharmacies. Adults over the age 50 are eligible if it has been at least 5 months since a previous booster. NB Public Health is strongly recommending second boosters for individuals over 70 and long term care residents, First Nations, Inuit and Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over. Anyone with a recent COVID-19 infection should wait 3 months from the time of infection before receiving a second booster dose.
Visit the Government of NB website for more information about COVID-19.
Cathedral Parish Nurse Sarah Ecker is available to answer questions. Email <nurse at cccath.ca> or phone the Cathedral office (506) 450-8500.
This post reflects direction for staying safe to the end of June 2022 and continues to be a model of our regard for each other.
The Government of New Brunswick has lifted its COVID-19 mandates, but we are still requesting care for others. Procedures and recommendations for the Cathedral and Memorial Hall are listed below.
Photo: Dalton London
1. Face masks
Masks are encouraged at worship and Cathedral gatherings (read about well-fitting masks).
2. Self-monitor
If you have any symptoms of illness – even mild – please stay at home. Livestreams and recorded video are available from our YouTube Channel. Worship and sermon podcasts are available: listen or subscribe.
3. Entering and exiting
Please be understanding of those who may wish to maintain some personal space. Keeping personal traffic flowing at entrances will be helpful.
4. Seating
Greeters may be able to help you find suitable seating if you prefer to remain distanced.
5. Hand sanitation
Please continue to be attentive to hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer, especially before and after contact with high touch surfaces.
6. Communion
Before the administration, the presider will wash thoroughly by going briefly to the sacristy. At Communion, approach in one line up the center aisle, with your mask in place. The host only will be safely delivered to your hands. Return by way of a side aisle. If you need to remove a mask, please consume the host after leaving the Communion station, removing it briefly.
7. Offering
The offering will be received by way of a plate near the back of the Cathedral and collected by greeters following worship.
Thank you for your continued care and concern for others.
Cathedral Memorial Hall is open to the public, for rentals and congregational use. Pandemic precautions are encouraged.
We're pleased to rent space to community groups participating in the arts, youth programs, addiction recovery, and inclusive programming. Cathedral groups include crafting, child/youth activities, emotional support, Bible studies, service groups and exercise. Individual rentals for private events are also available. Those wishing to rent the Hall should contact the Office to book space and specify set-up needs. Phone (506) 450-8500 or email <office at christchurchcathedral.com>.