The motto of the Guild of St. Joseph is “Serving God and Church with heart and hands.” The focus is the maintenance and repair of the fabric of the Cathedral, the Green, and Memorial Hall.
Once again, the Guild (affectionately known as the "Holy Joes") held a Christmas Reception with invited guests. This year's was a bit different in that they chose to hold it after Christmas, on Twelfth Night afternoon. It was a lovely gathering of food and friends, to ring in the New Year.
The Guild hosts an annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, provides a Halloween watch, spring flood watch and the 'Greening of the Cathedral' during Advent. They have done many repair and beautification projects, and have resumed the “Guild Work Period” where, once a month, members gather to perform required maintenance work.
The group meets in the Hall Lounge on the first Tuesday of each month (September through June), and warmly welcomes new members. For more information, speak with the Guild President, Gary Barfitt, any member, or contact the Cathedral Office.
We received this letter from Ms. Jane Martinez, the Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School. It's wonderful to hear about our friends in Belize. Please keep the teachers, students and their families in your prayers.
Greetings Kelley,
It's so wonderful to hear from you.
We started off the school year with major challenges because I had three teachers out and no replacement. I had to go into the classroom until the end of November and the management shuffled teachers from other schools so I could have gotten some assistance. With all the challenges, our first part of the year went well. Our enrollment went up and we have a feeding program in place for an average of 50 children daily.
We are planning to get our playground and fencing project for the preschool going this year.
Thanks so much for thinking of us and for the continued support. Here's a video of our children showcasing activities for the first term.
Love and appreciate you all. I pray that this year will be a blessed one.
Jake McGlothin says it’s only logical that the two most important social institutions in our society should work together. He outlines what churches can share with schools as well as how engagement with schools can positively impact a congregation.
Dean Geoffrey Hall and Cathedral Treasurer Jamie Yeamans were pleased to visit Montgomery Street School on 15 December to present a donation to help children in need at the school. They were welcomed by Principal David Burrell and several children, who were thankful for the $2000 donation toward the school lunch and winter clothing programs.
Members of the Cathedral congregation had contributed to a Giving Tuesday campaign to support the programs at the school, which has a number of children in need.
Montgomery Street Elementary School is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. It has a diverse student body. Approximately 250 children are enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 5, and the child to parent ratio is high. Its Home and School Association, a volunteer group of parents, guardians and staff representatives, regularly fundraises for school initiatives and to support students and families in need.
This is the third year that the Cathedral congregation has been involved. In 2021 and 2022, donated funds were directed towards the lunch program and ensuring that children in need have adequate winter clothing to safely enjoy Fredericton's winter climate. In 2021, funds also helped to create sensory rooms for children with developmental challenges.
We're grateful for the contributions to this community outreach project which will help to feed and clothe our neighbours in need.
Principal Burrell shared this message for our congregation:
I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation on behalf of the staff, students and families of Montgomery Street School to Christ Church Cathedral. Your generous contribution during your Giving Tuesday campaign will have a positive impact on our school community. We are fortunate to have community partners like Christ Church Cathedral who share in our ongoing pursuit of providing assistance for families in need, especially at this time of year. Thank you and happy new year.
The ACW and Health Ministry enjoyed planning and presenting this luncheon, and sharing their collections of unique and favourite Santa Claus and Snowmen decorations.
The empty chairs you see in the photo were filled with more than 40 people from our congregation on 05 December, which was a lovely winter day.
The soups were a hit, and few Christmas sweets were left for the elves. There was no fee for the meal, but many donations and items in gift bags were collected for Grace House women’s shelter.
Deacon Debbie Edmondson offered a thoughtful and timely reflection as to the hope and anticipated joy of the Advent season. Catherine Macdonald provided a lovely piano medley of Christmas favourites during the lunch period.
To bring so many together to enjoy fellowship – and food, was a blessing and reward for the hosts of the day.
The Rev'd Canon Rod Black, Doug Milander, Susan Black, Steve Hayward & Michele LeBlanc
On Monday, 18 December, the Cathedral Outreach Committee and volunteers from New Maryland United Church welcomed people in need to Memorial Hall for a pre-Christmas edition of Monday Outreach (usually held on the last Monday of each month).
64 guests received goodie bags, fruit, candy, socks and groceries. Guests also received a Christmas card with a $20 grocery store gift card. Toys and treats were given to people with children or grandchildren, and people could choose gently used clothing and household goods from a table of donated items.
The next such event will be held 29 January, 2024 with treat bags, used clothing and $10 gift cards. The committee deeply appreciates the congregation's support of these efforts, and the support of New Maryland United Church, who also gave a substantial financial donation toward the Outreach program.
Ann Deveau with Steve Hayward from New Maryland United Church, handing out special treats prepared by his church (longtime supporters of the Monday Outreach program).
The photos show some of the volunteers that were at the Hall helping to bring Christmas joy to our neighbours in need. We missed getting a photo of the crew in the Formation Room with the children's items (Rev. Kelly Burke from NMUC, Julie Maston & Joanne LeBlanc Haley).
Thank you to everyone who helped, onsite and in advance. The pre-Christmas assistance was sincerely appreciated by the guests.
Celebrate Christmas in historic Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Fredericton!
You are warmly welcomed to join us in worship, whether you are a Christian who has worshipped in the Anglican tradition, are of another Christian denomination, another faith entirely or, simply interested in understanding more about what our faith community is all about. There is no dress code, you are free to sit where you wish and to participate as you feel comfortable.
Join us Christmas Eve morning to celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent, and then in the evening for 3 different types of Christmas Eve Worship. Join us again on Christmas Day.
4th Sunday of Advent (Sunday, 24 December 2023)
* 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer) [no music]
Christmas Eve (Sunday, 24 December 2023)
* 4:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Contemporary/family) [organ & hymns]
* 8:00 p.m. Come Worship Eucharist (Contemporary) [band]
* 11:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Traditional/Book of Common Prayer) [organ, choir & hymns]
Christmas Day (Monday, 25 December 2023)
* 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer) [organ & hymns]
Children are welcome at any time. The 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service is a particular favourite of families with young children, and it lasts approximately one hour. An infant changing station is available in one of the washrooms. This service promises a couple of special treats for the Cathedral family – and families – this year. Some of the youngest ones among us will be helping to narrate the Godly-Play-inspired story of Christmas and the Créche. And then some of those same ones will be leading us in song as a newly-formed Youth Choir!
Masks/respirators are available for those who would like them.
Christ Church Cathedral is located at 150 Church Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick. On-street parking is available in our neighbourhood. Several accessible parking spaces are marked and available in the Cathedral driveway. The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible washroom.
If you would like additional information, please phone the Cathedral Office at (506) 450-8500. Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
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!
