Video Message from St. Hilda’s School in Belize

Posted on January 13, 2023March 16, 2023

We recently received messages and a video from Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize. As you can see, the families from St. Hilda's have faced hardship, tragedy, and also found joy. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Scroll down to watch the video below the letters.

[December 23, 2022]

Greetings,

I pray all is well with you. This first part of the school year has been a great challenge for us here at St. Hilda's Anglican school but God's grace has kept us. We've had victories and heartbreak but to God be the Glory.

I am also sharing a video of some activities at St. Hilda's Anglican for the first Cycle, September to December. I truly cannot find the words to express how blessed we are to have your support. We will continue to ensure that your investments are not in vain.

We love our Friends of St. Hilda's family and pray all the best for a wonderful holiday season and prosperous New Year.

Blessings,

Jane

[November 8, 2022]

Greetings Friends,

It is always a pleasure to send updates so that you know what is happening at St. Hilda's. I pray that all is well with you and your family as well as our Friends of St. Hilda's Family. The year has started out on a very busy note. I have been in classes since the beginning of September three to four times a week due to the absence of teachers so I have to multi-task.

The month of October has been a roller coaster month. I say this because we've had to deal with tragedy as well as celebrate God's goodness. We have experienced a lot of illness at school recently; both teachers and students. Many of them are out with fever, cough and cold. Please keep them in prayer. We were to hold our inaugural ceremony for our preschool on October 19th. Unfortunately, on October 18th, one of our preschool babies died tragically in a road traffic accident just a short distance from the school. He was sitting in the front passenger seat along with his 6 year old brother in their neighbor's vehicle when she lost control. There were four students with her but he sustained serious head and body injuries and died a short while later. His name was Zaiden Villanueva. His parents are Joycelyn and Sylvester Villanueva and his brothers are Randy and Akeem. Please keep them in prayer as well as the other parent who was driving. She sustained injuries to her face and body but is doing much better physically. The mental aspect is of concern. This incident was a shock to us all and we had to suspend classes for the day. Our counselors came in to do grief counseling the following day. The following week, I was out sick. I had pain all over my body and fever. I later discovered that I had a kidney infection. Thankfully, I am feeling much better.

The highlight of the month was our school and church harvest. It was a wonderful celebration after suffering such a tragic loss. Our inaugural ceremony will now be held on November 9th. We are also thankful that we were spared any damages due to Hurricane Lisa. The staff, students and their families are all safe and doing well.

In regards to the scholarship students, I do have mid semester reports for two of them so far. I will do my best to get the others and send them to you promptly.
I pray that you have a great day and rest of the week.

Best,
Jane

Bakers needed for monthly outreach program

Posted on January 9, 2023June 5, 2023

Outreach Committee volunteers hand out 8 1/2 dozen muffins and 8 1/2 dozen cookies each month to people in need who visit the Monday Morning Outreach Program.

A few members of the congregation faithfully bake homemade goodies, but additional contributors would be most welcome to replace some folks who have stepped aside or who are seasonally unavailable.

If you could help out by baking muffins or cookies occasionally, please let the Cathedral office know and you will be contacted by the committee. Thank you! Email<office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone (506) 450-8500.

The Outreach Program operates on the last Monday morning of each month. Volunteers provide food, vouchers, bus tickets, clothing and information about local support programs to approximately 50 guests each month. Learn more about this longstanding program to help those in need in our community.

A gift to brighten a child’s Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2022January 19, 2023

This December, the Cathedral Outreach Committee supported a program from Prison Fellowship Canada, which provides gifts to children of incarcerated parents.

PFC's Angel Tree Christmas program connects church communities and individuals with the families of prisoners through the delivery of a Christmas gift on behalf of the incarcerated parent. Through the program, a prisoner applies, submits a list of suggested items for each child, and fills out a gift tag that will be attached to the gift. Prison Fellowship matches the children with sponsors in their local area, who purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to the family.

Through the program, children the joy of receiving a gift -- but more importantly, they know that their mom or dad is thinking about them at Christmas time. Prisoners experience some moments of brightness during a time of year that can be very lonely for them.

The Cathedral was approached in early December by the Atlantic Coordinator of the program.

"We have certainly had many prisoners among our Monday guests," said Outreach Committee volunteer Ann Deveau, "and we feel it's important for their families to have a connection at Christmas."

Outreach Committee volunteers purchased, wrapped and delivered gifts to six children in the Fredericton area. Charlotte McKnight, a young Cathedral volunteer, took particular pleasure in choosing gifts for kids just a bit younger than herself.

The Prison Fellowship's Christmas program operates in every province and territory in Canada. Last year, 3424 children received gifts thanks to the generosity of 1479 sponsors, including 113 churches.

The Outreach Committee also oversees a Christmas Angel program at the Cathedral which is coordinated by Greener Village, the Fredericton food bank.

In that program, members of the congregation choose angel tags from a tree in the Cathedral and purchase toys and stocking stuffers for local children in need. This year, the congregation purchased gifts for 50 children.

ACW Christmas Tea

Posted on December 13, 2022January 19, 2023

The Anglican Church Women (ACW) welcomed 35 guests to a Christmas Tea on a balmy December 7 afternoon.

Guests entering Memorial Hall were greeted by brightly lit Christmas trees and surrounding tables displaying beautiful and unique angels - no two of the 50+ were alike. Conversation, sharing and ‘catching up’ was the buzz around the tea tables.

The guests were very generous with their gifts for Grace House, and we receive grateful recognition from the women's shelter for the yearly delivery.

Of course, as a Christmas gathering, there were seasonal sweet favourites to enjoy with a beverage of choice.

We had pleasure in preparing and hosting; our guests had pleasure in sharing and fellowship.

Photos taken by Helen Liang

Reaching out to support a local school lunch program

Posted on December 9, 2022January 18, 2023

In 2021, the Cathedral contributed funds towards a school lunch program, winter clothing, and the creation of two sensory rooms for children with developmental challenges. Adequate funding was not available within the school's educational budget, so the volunteer Home and School Association ran a fundraising campaign.

On 09 December, Dean Geoffrey Hall and Cathedral Treasurer Jamie Yeamans presented a $2000 cheque to Montgomery Street School. Members of the congregation had contributed to a Giving Tuesday campaign to raise money to help fund a lunch program at the school, which has a number of children in need.

This is the second year that the Cathedral has supported initiatives for children in need at the local elementary school. The Cathedral Bishop and Chapter approved a donation in 2021 to assist with its lunch program, provide winter clothing to students in need, and assist in the creation of sensory rooms for children with developmental challenges.

We're grateful for the contributions to this community outreach project which will help to feed children in our community.

The Principal of Montgomery Street School, David Burrell, also shared his thanks in a letter to the congregation:

(L to R) Back row: Sandi Mwenga (VP, Home & School Association), Jennifer Hamel (Home & School Association), Charlene Smith (Home & School Association), Geoffrey Hall (Dean, Christ Church Cathedral), Jamie Yeamans (Treasurer, Christ Church Cathedral), Reegan McDougall (President, Home & School Association), David Burrell (Principal, Montgomery Street School) Front row: students from Montgomery Street School's Grade 5 Leadership class

First of all, we are beyond thankful for the support given to Montgomery Street School again this year. As you know, students and families have been faced with new and unique challenges over the last two and half years. These challenges continue to push the need for support within our school community, and when we have partnerships with strong local groups such as the Christ Church Cathedral, we can provide much needed supports to our families.

This year, in collaboration with our Home and School Committee, we are again fostering lasting community partnerships that will continue to support our food programs such as hot lunch and milk programs. As food cost continue to rise, your donation will go a long way to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in our food programs. This generous donation will also support our clothing drive initiative that will guarantee all of our students have the proper winter attire so they can enjoy all the wonderful outdoor activities that comes with living in Fredericton.

I am very thankful for the time, effort and support we have received from you. It will have a lasting positive impact on our school community!

Sincerely,

David Burrell

Principal, Montgomery Street School

Angels wanted for display at Christmas Tea

Posted on December 1, 2022December 9, 2022

Do you have Christmas angel decorations? Share your ‘host’ of angels, a single ‘lovely’ or a bevy of the ’littlest’ for an angel display that will be enjoyed by guests attending a Christmas Tea hosted by the Anglican Church Women.

Join the festivities! Celebrate the coming of the Christmas season with Cathedral members and friends. Tea and sweets will be provided at this event hosted by the Anglican Church Women on Wednesday, 07 December, 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall. All ages are welcome to attend to enjoy conversation, sweets and the angel display. At the event, masks are encouraged when not eating.

As in past years, the ACW will collect items for the Grace House women's shelter. Personal care items are requested, as well as donations which can be used to purchase items.

Please drop off your angel(s) at the Cathedral Office between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon weekdays, or contact Jennifer Griffiths <jmmgriffiths at gmail.com>. If possible, deliver angels by Tuesday, 06 December so the decorating team can display them in advance of the Tea. Please label your angels so they can be returned.

Help us support a local school lunch program

Posted on November 28, 2022December 16, 2022

Thank you for your support! Click here to read an update on the program.

For 'Giving Tuesday' this year, we've chosen a community outreach project - can we count on your support?

We hope to raise at least $500 towards a December $2000 commitment to a local school lunch program at Montgomery Street School, which has a number of children in need. Can you help? Donate to this project online using our Giving Tuesday donation page, or use an envelope marked "school lunch program". Donations will receive a tax receipt.

The elementary school is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. The Cathedral Bishop and Chapter approved a donation in 2021 to assist with its lunch program, provide winter clothing to students in need, and assist in the creation of sensory rooms for children with developmental needs. We hope to continue supporting Montgomery Street School's lunch program for children in need, and hope that you will feel called to help.

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement which takes place each year after the retail sale days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The “opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals rally for favourite causes, encouraging people to give to charitable causes to transform their communities and the world.

We're pleased to help children in need in our neighbourhood. Christ Church Cathedral also provides community support with regular Monday Outreach events, providing space for community social programming, and hosting and encouraging the performing arts.

Valuable contributions

Posted on November 16, 2022December 23, 2022

The Cathedral Outreach Committee sincerely thanks the congregation for fulfilling all 50 Christmas Angel requests by the November 14th deadline. Pictured are just a few of the toys and stocking stuffers delivered to the food bank to make sure needy children will have gifts under the tree this Christmas. Well done, everyone!

The toys were delivered recently to the Greener Village Food Bank. Client Services manager Chris Fougère happily accepted the donation to help needy families in Fredericton. The estimated value of the 50 Christmas Angels is $1,700 this year.

Did you miss getting an angel from the Cathedral, or would you like to help more children? Greener Village typically sets up an Angel Tree in the Regent Mall, so watch for it.

Another option for Christmas giving is to write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. Deliver your cheque to the Cathedral office by December 16. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchens.

Diocesan Synod held at the Cathedral

Posted on November 9, 2022November 28, 2022

COVID rapid test kits available at Cathedral and Memorial Hall

Posted on October 28, 2022May 25, 2023

** 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:

Register your positive result online to help officials understand the level of circulating illness
Notify your close contacts
Stay home and work from home if possible
Open a window or door to improve indoor ventilation
Access COVID medication if eligible and necessary
Wear a multi-layer well-fitting mask, physical distance, and avoid gatherings for 5-10 days after leaving home

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.

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Photos taken by Helen Liang

Thank you for your support! Click here to read an update on the program.