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.
Our Parish Nurse, Sarah Ecker, offers encouragement as we move into a new phase of pandemic management.
You may be feeling uncertain or concerned, and/or you may feel rejuvenated and hopeful. No matter where you are on this spectrum, know that you’re not alone.
We recently removed our mandatory safeguards and have moved into a place of personal responsibility to govern ourselves as we see fit in terms of COVID-19 management. While some feel we are ready for this responsibility as a whole, others have valid concerns about our collective ability to keep others, and especially our vulnerable, safe.
I would love to just encourage us all that we have been given an opportunity to love our neighbours and prefer each other, not because we have to, but because we choose to. Whether or not you choose to mask is now up to us, each individually. At the Cathedral we are encouraging the wearing of masks, though it is no longer mandatory.
Everyone will have different risk levels and comfort levels. To be loving during this time of transition, I am encouraging us to take the approach of asking, with a heart of empathy and humility when approaching others, if they feel comfortable with you stepping into their personal space - specifically if you are unmasked and indoors. Giving someone the option to consent is gracious and will create a culture where people feel safe and respected.
If someone is ever uncomfortable and communicates that they prefer not to be approached, be mindful not to take it personally. We have all been relying on these mandates to fall back on, so if someone declines for whatever reason, so try not take it personally. Remember that everyone has someone they may be trying to protect, and it may be them. We want to make everyone feel safe and welcome to be present in our communities. It may feel a bit uncomfortable to state your boundaries, whatever they may be, but we can all commit to reserving judgment of the motivation of a person who chooses to mask or not, and if they’re comfortable with an unmasked person in their personal space or not.
So, as we jump into this new phase with both feet, let us be mindful and inclusive while we navigate this new season with love and respect.
Our Parish Nurse, Sarah Ecker, offers her reflections on change.
It seems to be time again for some more changes to be coming our way. This can be exciting and daunting, even at the same time. Part of maintaining your whole health is to accept that these things are not always as “either/or” as we would like them to be, but more of “both/and”. As this pandemic churns on, and hopefully begins to wane, we will be met with new opportunities and old obligations to consider. I would like to offer you this question to ponder: What is your readiness to return? In looking forward, what do you desire your life to look like? This season is a really good time to reflect on what brought you connection, joy, and fulfillment pre-pandemic; what was changed by the pandemic and what do you need to bring you wholeness, going forward?
Some food for thought might be, group activities - like book clubs, Bible studies, hobbies, community socials, worship, support groups, sports or even games or yoga; or maybe you were more interested in music, choirs, watching a play, going for a walk with a friend, travelling, or volunteering. Whatever your mix, I would love to encourage people to start dreaming again. As the days begin to warm up, the snow begins to melt, and we all start to thaw out of this very long literal, and proverbial winter state, what will be “life-bringing” to you? It is very important to not bypass legitimate feelings of anxiety or caution, but now is a good time to take an inventory of them and ponder the external metrics that will help you spring to life in ways that honour your experiences and values. As well, we want to be intentional about making space for others as we find our “new normal”.
To come together and heal and grow in community is always the goal, but to have some authentic self-definition is a good starting place to begin the reflecting and introspection phase. That will allow room for the gentleness, compassion, patience, and connection that we are all needing, while respecting people and the pace they feel comfortable moving at. We have adapted and grown and have many tools in our kits for our safety, like, the use of masks and vaccines. Some might be ready to go and others might need a nudge from a friend to consider joining in something again, and that is okay. When mandates and restrictions are no more, the responsibility will shift to us -- to know our own limitations, and to accept that others have their reasons for caution, but to work together to use wisdom to engage safely in this next unknown phase.
Where are you at, and what will be your next steps in your readiness to return?
Our Parish Nurse, Sarah Ecker, offers encouragement and suggestions for wellbeing.
In the cold of January during another round of single household bubbles and reduced contact with family, friends, and community, I just want to send a note of encouragement. You are not alone. Part of maintaining wholistic health is found in taking care of our mental and spiritual wellbeing. Here are a few practical ways to do this:
** Connect with others over phone or video calls - you can even schedule a group chat with some friends on a weekly basis.
** Try to get some sunlight, even if that means pulling up a chair beside the window and pretending to be in a warmer place. On the odd warm day, bundle up and get some fresh air, even if that means opening your windows or sitting outside for a few minutes.
** Make room for your feelings and emotions. Being cooped up is hard, and it is important to recognize when it is making us feel out of sorts. You can use this as an indicator that maybe you should reach out to someone you trust to have a meaningful conversation and connect.
There is no shame in talking about the challenges of these times. We can accept that while we have many things to be thankful for, we can also struggle. Those two concepts can exist together, and accepting reality and finding ways to connect will help us stay mentally and spiritually well until we can all meet again. If you need a person to talk with, please reach out to myself or someone you feel comfortable sharing with. I pray for wellness despite the circumstances for you all.
-- Sarah Ecker - your Parish Nurse
For your consideration: Some Canadian epidemiologists are suggesting moving to n95 respirator-type masks with the surge in COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant.
There is some evidence that points to it being airborne, and cloth masks and even surgical masks offer less effective protection. This news article addresses the discussion of which type of mask will be most effective.
If you feel you are wanting to switch your cloth/medial mask for an N95 or KN95, remember that FIT is the key here. For an N95 to work as it is intended, there must be a SEAL around the entire edge. The area of the bridge of the nose, and under your chin seem to be main problem areas when forming the seal. If you can feel air moving in or out from the edges of the mask when you are breathing, then you need to re-adjust, or may need a different size or type. Be sure to read and follow the directions provided with the purchase of your N95 mask, if you choose to go that route.
In typical New Brunswick fashion, we are a bit behind in the Omicron surge compared to our neighbours, which gives us a few extra moments to plan how we can adapt. This gift likely will not last long, and I suspect we will be hearing more about N95 usage in the coming days.
As always, my intent is to inform and update you all in as timely a manner as possible so you can make informed decisions. This was something I found interesting and valuable, and wanted to pass it along. Please take care, and reach out with any concerns or questions. We can get through this pandemic together.
-- Cathedral Parish Nurse, Sarah Ecker
With access to primary health care becoming increasingly challenging, have you heard of New Brunswick's e-Visit program? It is very simple to book an appointment online, and can save you long wait times in the ER. They can handle many urgent health care needs and send a needed prescription right to your pharmacist. The best part is that you do not have to leave your home, as it is done over the phone or video.
We all know someone (or many someones) currently without a family doctor. Even if you are blessed to have one, there are times when we cannot access them the same day, and you may have a more urgent need. It makes it challenging for continuity of care, and it can be a major challenge to book in a walk-in clinic or end up in the ER for something that could have been managed with a simple visit.
For a fee of about $49 you can book online to have a virtual appointment with a nurse practitioner who can manage treatment for many ailments and health inquiries. While this may not be the ideal answer for all, it may help in a pinch considering the current state of health related affairs in New Brunswick.
e-VisitNB is very straightforward to use, but if you need assistance, I'd be glad to help! Email or phone the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500.
Stay safe, stay well and be blessed,
Sarah Ecker
Our new Parish Nurse, Sarah Ecker, has shared some reflections about her time with us so far, lessons learned from her parish nursing course, and observations about life in a pandemic. Please feel free to reach out to Sarah if you'd like to connect.
Hello! I hope everyone is well as we move into the cooler, shorter days leading up to Advent! It has been a pleasure to start to meet some of you and get to know you. From a new person’s perspective, I am so humbled by your kindness and can see that a healthy, whole, and caring community is a shared goal among you all.
I wanted to let you know that I am currently working on my first Parish Nursing course through St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario. It is an absolutely wonderful course and the leaders have done a great job at infusing the heart of Parish Nursing into a jam-packed course that is both practical and spiritually deep.
I have been learning and reflecting on the aging population this past couple weeks, and gaining even more of an appreciation for the stage of life and spirituality of this demographic. One key aspect in particular is the importance of spirituality in coping. We all have seen how the pandemic has impacted people, and the aging population is no exception. There is a lot of evidence to support it has been one of the most socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually impacted groups. There are some central challenges as we navigate the space between safety and connectedness. One such challenge a person could face is isolation; from family who live away, local restrictions, group-living arraignments, or personal decisions to maximize safety. Having contact with your support systems is crucial to your mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Although it does not replace our ideal desires, there have been some creative ways to accommodate these road-blocks through connecting to online worship, using technology to use video to stay connected, social media, home communion. Please reach out to me if you are struggling.
Sometimes we start to acknowledge our loneliness when things are beginning to look up. This is a normal part of coping with the collective changes brought on by the last couple years, especially in combination with an already fast-changing life stage. Bring in chronic illness or acute medical challenges, and life can feel like it has been flipped over from everything we had hoped for and anticipated. Even when life begins to stabilize, it is very common to start processing the emotional and mental strain of the tumultuous season you just came through.
If you find yourself identifying with this, I would like to encourage you to spend some time to reflect on the challenges you have faced or are facing and recognize that when things do not go as planned; it is a very appropriate human response to feel sadness, grief, or a sense of loss. These emotions are important indicators. During a time when we have had to flex our resilience, dig deep, and be content - come what may; it is okay to take a deep breath, remember your humanity, accept the reality, and embrace care, encouragement and support. I would love to connect with anyone feeling the impact of this season and offer you compassion and encouragement.
I will leave you with this scripture from Matthew 11: 28-30:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
With the leaves quickly changing and fading, it is the time of year where we need to consider getting the flu shot!
The influenza vaccine is highly recommended this year by health care professionals. Last year we had no recorded cases of influenza in New Brunswick. This was likely due to pandemic measures - like decreased travel, as well as minimizing close contacts, diligent hand hygiene, and mask wearing. Pandemic measures being opened up, and ever-changing in our province, brings an increased risk for a rampant flu season. We cannot be sure what this Fall and Winter season will bring, but receiving the influenza vaccine is a good first step, as it brings immunity within the first 14 days of receiving it (Government of New Brunswick Influenza Immunization, 2021).
Again this year, the influenza vaccine is free for all New Brunswick residents, and can be accessed by most healthcare providers. Public Health Offices, family physicians, and pharmacies are some of the easiest access points for your influenza vaccine, which are currently available. Pharmacists are able to give vaccines to those 2 years of age and up. For those over 65 years of age, Public Health has recommended the high-dose vaccine (they are calling it the Cadillac) for added immunity in this population.
For those who are eligible for their COVID-19 booster (currently available - eligibility criteria is on the GNB website, or ask your health care provider or myself), the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) advised that it is safe for people to get both the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine at the same time. This has been a hot topic question for those seeking both the COVID-19 booster and the influenza vaccines. If you have any questions surrounding COVID-19 or influenza vaccines and boosters, or need help accessing your vaccines, please reach out! I would love to assist you.
Point of Contact Testing kits for COVID-19 (rapid test kits to use at home) are available to the public at Exhibition Grounds, 361 Smythe St., Fredericton (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday). Simply drive through the queue and staff will pass out a kit for each passenger over that age of 2 in the vehicle.
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, Public Health recommends getting a PCR test at a testing centre.
- by Sarah Ecker, Cathedral Parish Nurse
Cathedral Parish Nurse Sarah Ecker can be reached by phone/text at (506) 476-8911 or by email.
By now, you may have had an opportunity to check out Sarah Ecker's profile on our website under Clergy and Staff: Parish Nurse. While it gives you a glimpse into the life of this amazing, outgoing, bubbly, professional nurse, we think it just scratched the surface. And so, here's a slightly deeper look at our newest staff member.
Sarah was born and raised in Fredericton and thanks to her 'build one and sell it' father, she has lived in many different houses in different parts of the city. In typical New Brunswick fashion, it didn't take long to find a degree of separation connection between Sarah and I (Gail MacGillivray).
My Dad would not even consider the purchase of a vehicle that was not sold by Alison Monteith of Monteith Motors - Sarah's Dad! I recall many stops at Monteith Motors over the years. Alison was such a good salesman that he even managed to recruit Sarah to work for him. Her career as a used car salesperson lasted for about 2 years.
It was quite a leap from selling cars to nursing, and a whole lot of life experiences before and after both for Sarah.
Shortly after graduation, at the ripe old age of 17, Sarah headed for Virginia. A close friend of hers was heading off to a Bible College and Sarah decided to follow. Sarah's upbringing was as an Evangelical and this study of Theology gave Sarah a broader understanding of the many different ways that we worship. It was one of many life experiences where Sarah felt a calling to be in that place at that time. Her time at the College also gave her a chance to travel throughout the USA, to Northern Ireland and Jamaica, and to experience diversity in race, language, religion, lifestyle and more.
While Sarah was studying Nursing at UNB, she spent a summer working at a children's camp on the Miramichi. It was here that she met her husband, Andrew. Andrew was working on a degree in social work. Andrew was born in Ontario but grew up in Miramichi. As Sarah put it, "they just clicked" and by the next summer they were engaged.
Sarah and Andrew currently live in Mactaquac) and they have two children, chickens, a dog, a cat and a deep love for their community!
She describes their 6 year old son, Elias, as being "too smart for his own good" and says he is frequently referred to in her family as "the Mayor" as he always has a handle on what is going on and is more than willing to assume a leadership role. Elias is in Grade One and it sounds like he is destined to be class president! Daughter Mercy is 4 and her Mom describes her as "fire and ice". A deeply passionate spitfire who is also very tenderhearted. Andrew currently works for the Mobile Crisis Unit, a division of Horizon Health which responds to mental health crises.
Sarah and her family are deeply focused on their Christian beliefs and living a life in Christ internalized. When the Pandemic first broke out, like many people, Sarah and Andrew spent time at home in reflection. As Sarah put it, COVID gave them a chance to examine closely the human qualities most important to them, recognizing that what they wanted was "to be a part of a community that was part of their values." They came to the conclusion that their Church family, especially, had to reflect those values of justice, mercy and humility.
Sarah is "loving the new job" as our Parish Nurse. She describes herself as someone who "loves working in a team environment" and especially loves collaborating with different sectors and "building bridges". She looks forward to having the opportunity to work as part of a team focused on "bringing wellness to people in body, mind and spirit".
Once again, a hearty Cathedral welcome to Sarah, who hopes that everyone will reach out to her, if only just to say hi. She is looking forward to her role in Pastoral Care and to working with the many volunteers that allow the Parish Nurse to make a positive difference in the lives of our congregation members!
by Gail MacGillivray