Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize, sent us this update. Please keep Ms. Martinez, her son, the high school scholarship students, and all of the elementary students and staff at St. Hilda's in your prayers.
Greetings Friends,
I pray that this email finds you well. Our school year started out well and so far we are managing by God's grace. There has been a lot of illness among both teachers and students. A terrible flu has been plaguing the schools so we are encouraging students to stay at home until it passes so that it doesn't spread.
I was supposed to share the reports with you since the first week of February but unfortunately, my son was in a motorcycle accident. I am so thankful that he is alive. His pelvic bone is open and both knees got injured. A ligament in his right knee burst as well so he is not allowed to walk for the next six weeks. We have four more weeks to go before his next evaluation. We are praying that both will heal on their own and he will not have to do surgery. It was a scary experience but God is in control. I am presently working from home because he needs someone close by to assist him.
I have attached the report of the three [scholarship] students. I have spoken to all students personally to encourage them to improve in areas where they fell short. Silvia [our new scholarship student] is doing very well in her class. She is a class leader and has received several certificates and awards. She participates in her school's praise dance team as well. They were encouraged to ask for assistance if needed because we are there to support them.
As soon as I am back at school I will give an update of activities that we are engaged in. We are about to start our "Child Stimulation Month" activities which starts March 1st. Our preschoolers will be involved in various activities throughout the month. We are excited to see what all will be accomplished. The theme for this year is "Magic Garden of Skills: Watch us Bloom".
I continue to say thank you so much for your invaluable support and partnership with St. Hilda's Anglican School. We will continue to pray for you as you pray for us as well. We love you all!
Gary Barfitt, President of the Cathedral Guild of St. Joseph, shared this message of thanks regarding the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper.
Gary Barfitt, David Perritt and Jim Morell - three of the many volunteers who spent time organizing and serving at the 2024 pancake supper.
As we close the books on our 2024 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, on behalf of the Cathedral Guild of St. Joseph, I want to offer a huge thank-you to all those who helped make it a success. Thank you to all the volunteers who worked to get the pancakes, sausages, beans, and gingerbread from the back of the kitchen to the tables in the Hall. There were over 50 people taking care of the many and varied tasks required to feed this year’s over 170 patrons. And the generosity of those patrons raised more than $1900 towards the work of the Guild. We especially thank those people who supported us by attending the event and, apparently, enjoying the meal and the opportunity to spend time with friends.
Stay tuned for our next Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper which will be on Tuesday, March 4, 2025!
The approximately 220 people came and went over a two-hour dinner period, seated "family style" in long tables in the Main Hall. Don't worry, all of the volunteers got to eat, too! It was a great opportunity for conversation with fellow Cathedral members and neighbours from our community.
If you, or anyone you know, left an item at the event, drop by Cathedral Memorial Hall to check the coat rack and the Lost & Found box!
Several members of the Cathedral Communications Committee took photos of the popular event, which are shared below.
The Cathedral's monthly Monday Outreach Program is looking for specific items to help people in need in our community. Can you donate any of these?
* Hand warmers
* Toilet paper
* Canned meat (e.g. chicken, tuna, etc.)
* Winter boots
* Long Johns and sweatpants for men
Items can be dropped off at the Cathedral Office, 168 Church Street, during office hours, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday.
On the last Monday of each month, Outreach volunteers help people in need who visit Cathedral Memorial Hall. They receive canned goods, sandwiches, fresh fruit, muffins, juice and other goodies, as well as a $10 gift card from a supermarket or city transit tickets. Guests may also choose items such as donated footwear and used clothing, toiletries, and towels. The need is great in our city, and the number of guests on January 29th increased to 70 individuals. The recipients, who range in age from toddlers to seniors, were grateful for the assistance. The next Monday Outreach event will take place on Monday, February 26.
Volunteer Mary Lou Cotter packs goodie bags for outreach guests
Thank you to volunteers who help onsite, or with preparation, baking, or donate items or funds. Speak with a member of the Outreach Committee or contact the Cathedral Office if you'd like to help.
Here are some letters from the current recipients of Cathedral scholarships to attend high school in Belize.
Sylvia Trapp (Grade 9)
Dear Friends,
I am very thankful for the assistance that you have given me at the beginning of the school year. I have achieved a lot this semester. I got some good grades and won a presentation competition for harvest.
I am working harder to get better grades. My biggest challenge has been in Social Studies but I’m working on doing better. I received an excellence award which has motivated me to work harder. I have also met some new friends thanks to your help.
The Christmas event we had at school was so so amazing, I participated in a lot of praise dances for my class. I love dancing.
With that said, I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and an amazing and blessed New Year.
Sincerely,
Silvia Trapp
Caleb Martinez (Grade 10)
Dear friends of St. Hilda's,
Merry Christmas friends of St. Hilda's. I hope you and your family are having a very Merry Christmas.
As my journey at Belmopan Comprehensive High School continues I've so far had only one issue when it comes to my math grade, on my report card it showed that my average had done to a 70 percent. But later on when I checked with my math teacher, I was passing all my assessments and tests, I was told it was a mechanical error and would have to be reprinted. This year the school introduced a new curriculum so we are getting less class work and more group projects. This has caused a big problem because almost every weekend I had to travel to complete the projects. But to save money I started just doing them by myself
With 2nd semester around the corner I plan to join my school's track and field team but to do so I have to keep all my grades high. We also received word that we will be taking exams this year, the exams will contain all we did from school started.
In 3rd form I'm still debating between business or Arts, I will be sure fill you in on my decision.
Merry Christmas friends of St. Hilda's and may God keep us safe for further days ahead, and I greatly thank you for this amazing opportunity.
Caleb
Korey Kelly (Grade 11)
Hello Friends,
I hope this finds you in good spirits.
I would just like to let you know that I really and truly appreciate the help you have given me in progressing through high school. The first semester of school has been going alright but I have had some ups and downs though I am doing well in most of my classes except for Economics and English. Those two are the only subjects that are really giving me some issues but I think I can improve in them. All I need to do is study and pay more attention in class to do better in them.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy your Christmas with your family and friends. Again, I would like to thank you for the support you have given me in progressing through school.
Sincerely,
Korey
About the Cathedral's Belize High School Scholarship Program
Currently, the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral provides scholarships for three students who would not able to attend high school without support, since high school is not publicly funded in Belize. This additional education provides them with important skills and opportunities. Each scholarship is $1000 CAD per year. We intend to provide a scholarship to a student entering high school next year, so we will again be supporting one student in each grade.
In Belize, the average age at which a child leaves school is 13 years old, because of the prohibitive costs of tuition for high school, which families must pay. Unemployment in the country is high, there are many large single-parent families, and almost half of Belizeans live below the poverty line.
The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.
Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers.
In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8. Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have gone on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future.
We are grateful for all who have helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school. Learn more about our mission work in Belize.
You can contribute to the mission in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.
If you are interested in participating in future endeavors benefiting the students in Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to connect with members of the Belize mission committee.
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.
Greetings Friends,
