The Cathedral Outreach Committee is requesting gently used running shoes for men or women. These will be offered to people in need who visit our monthly Outreach program.
Donations can be delivered to the Cathedral Office, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
The Outreach program occurs on the last Monday of each month, from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. in the lobby and Formation Room of Cathedral Memorial Hall.
Guests in need receive: a few city transit tickets or a $10 gift card for a supermarket; a goodie bag with fresh fruit, homemade baked goods, cheese, a drink box or bottled water; and a wrapped sandwich. They may choose from a selection of non-perishable grocery items as well as browse tables stacked with used clothing, toiletries and small housewares. Each month, approximately 50 people attend.
This program is made possible thanks to volunteers and contributors from the Cathedral and other local churches.
On Saturday. April 15, the Ukrainian Community of Fredericton gathered at Christ Church Cathedral to celebrate Easter.
A priest travelled from Moncton to hold worship for over 100 attendees of all ages. Many wore traditional Ukrainian clothing and brought baskets for a special tradition - the Easter food basket blessing. They were thrilled to be able to worship in their own language, for the first ever Easter service of its kind in Fredericton.
Archbishop David Edwards, Bishop of Fredericton, gave permission for the Greek Catholic service to be held in the Cathedral. In that tradition, Easter was celebrated on Sunday, April 16 this year, so Ukrainians in Fredericton celebrated the Saturday evening before.
Oksana Tesla, volunteer with the Ukrainian Community of Fredericton, coordinated with the Cathedral. She shared,
"Everything went flawlessly and fabulously! We were singing acapella and the acoustics made the Cathedral sing along. Many community members mentioned to me that they were feeling this bright warm light inside during the service. Thank you so much for opening your doors for our community and we really appreciate your support."
Thanks to Cathedral members Hank Williams and Kurt Schmidt for facilitating the event.
Through the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Community of Fredericton, the group commented, "We are so happy to have such an amazing supportive community here in Fredericton. And the opportunity to celebrate at such an incredible place - the Christ Church Cathedral - is a blessing! ... We cannot thank you enough for such generosity! We felt like we are home at the Cathedral!"
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
The Sanctuary Guild of Christ Church Cathedral encourages gifts for flowers in memory or as a thank offering at the High Altar and throughout the Cathedral, at any time and especially at festival times of the church year.
Forms must be received by Tuesday, March 26, 2024 to have memorials published in the Easter bulletin. Thank you.
Complete this form and return it to the Cathedral Office. Paper copies are available at the back of the Cathedral and at the Office.
Mothers' Union is an international Christian membership charity of 4 million members living in over 80 countries, who share one heartfelt vision — to bring about a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. Members actively pursue this vision through community programs, advocacy campaigns and a committed prayer life.
Mothering Sunday, not to be confused with Canadian Mother's Day, is celebrated in Anglican Churches on the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Learn more about Mothering Sunday, and get the recipe for Simnel Cake, a traditional Mothering Sunday treat!
We recently received this note from Montgomery Street Elementary's Home and School Association, to which the Cathedral has previously provided support for children in need.
I wanted to let the church know that with the remainder of the donation provided to our committee, after paying for the hot lunches and milk program to our children within the school who needed it, we were also able to help an urgent need to a family.
A recent call ended up with a family who had to quickly move out of their house due to pipes leaking through their ceiling. Home and School were able to purchase and drop off groceries for their family of six (with three children at Montgomery) and purchase their meals at the restaurant within the hotel for a few days. Without the donation from the church, we wouldn’t have been able to do what we did for them until their insurance was able to take over.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for always supporting our committee and trust that we will help whenever and where we need to.
Reegan McDougall President/Volunteer, Montgomery Street Home and School Association
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!
The smell of pancakes and sausages filled Cathedral Memorial Hall on February 21st during the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. After a two-year hiatus, the Guild of St. Joseph returned with many volunteers to host the supper. The men of the Cathedral greeted, cooked, served and cleaned during this much-loved event.
The "Holy Joes" as the Guild is affectionately called, graciously served almost 200 Cathedral parishioners, friends and members of the community. Many were thrilled to resume the longtime tradition, which celebrates the beginning of Lent.
Gathering together in the middle of winter gave a much-needed lift to everyone's spirits. Conversation filled the air, as old and new friends gathered over the delicious shared meal.
Gary Barfitt, President of the Guild of St. Joseph, shared this message:
"The Guild of St. Joseph would like to say thank you to all who made the revival of our Pancake Supper such a resounding success this past week. We served almost 200 patrons. A special word of thanks to those who supported us in so many ways, including providing gingerbreads, serving at the tables and those who helped with the clean-up after the supper. We could not have done it without all the volunteers. The very generous freewill contributions at the door will be put to good use as Guild members continue their work."
Telling our story.
Line item budgets are boring. Not only that, but seldom do they tell the real story. It’s too easy for us to make assumptions about how the dollar we give is used or not used on what we specifically consider important. However, no facet of church ministry operates in a vacuum. For instance, music may be one’s own personal focus, but music cannot happen without a warm, dry and lighted space. In fact, if we think deeply, we begin to realize that in a very real way everything depends on everything else.
Shrove Tuesday is just around the corner and for many Christians, that means pancakes for supper!
Not being a pancake lover, I decided to do a little research on this questionable meal choice. I knew that Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras) preceded Ash Wednesday when many folks give up something that they love as a sort of penance during Lent. Historically, it would be rich food of some sort that was given up and your Shrove Tuesday meal would be your last kick at the rich food can, so to speak.
This just made me all the more curious why anyone would choose pancakes as their last tasty meal!
Well, it seems that we owe a debt of gratitude (or not) to a lady in the middle of cooking up a pancake supper. When the Church bells rang in Olney, UK one day in 1445 indicating it was time for confession (where one would be “shriven” or absolved of sin), she ran to the Church in her apron, clutching her frying pan full of pancakes.
And now, centuries later, in many parts of the UK, pancake races are a big part of Shrove Tuesday celebrations. And, not surprisingly, the most famous race of all is held in Olney where local “housewives” don their aprons, hats and scarves, clutch their frying pans and race to the finish line, all the while flipping their pancake at least three times. The first woman to finish the course and arrive at the Church, serve her pancake to the bellringer and kiss him wins the race.
Pancake recipes can apparently be traced back to Roman times. The main ingredients – milk, flour, eggs – were considered “rich” ingredients which, I guess, accounts for their becoming the “rich” meal of choice.
Even if they aren’t my favourite food group, the following description of Shrove Tuesday at the Cathedral may be enough to entice me out this year. I asked Jim Morrell for his memories of Shrove Tuesday meals at Christ Church Cathedral.
Here’s what Jim had to say:
“Male members of the Cathedral (take that Olney!) have been preparing and serving pancakes, sausages and beans for the Shrove Tuesday congregation-and-friends supper for over 60 yeas. One of my childhood memories is eating pancakes that my Dad served to my Mother, brother and me in the original Memorial Hall lower level in the late 1950’s. Not only was it a tasty (mmmm) and plentiful meal for the growing number of post-war baby boomers like me, it was a 'day off' so to speak for our stay-at-home Moms who didn’t have to prepare it. It’s always been lots of fun for those who come to enjoy the food and the conversation and for those who cook and serve.”
Well, Jim, you and the members of St. Joseph’s Guild will be warming up your favourite pancake flipper in no time!
Maybe even I will put aside my pancake dislike and come out for that evening of fun with family and friends. After all, there will be lots of time after supper to grab some chocolate or other rich delicacy on the way home before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent!
by Gail MacGillivray
Celebrate the beginning of Lent by attending Christ Church Cathedral’s Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at Cathedral Memorial Hall on 13 February from 4:30-6:30 pm. Enjoy pancakes, sausages, and beans followed by gingerbread with toppings. Coffee and tea will be available. Admission is through freewill donation. Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends and family!
The Cathedral Outreach Committee is requesting gently used running shoes for men or women. These will be offered to people in need who visit our monthly Outreach program.
