Concert supports igloo cathedral

The diocese of Ottawa’s Christ Church Cathedral and its local chapter of the Anglican Church Women (ACW) are hosting a fundraising concert on Oct. 26 to help rebuild the diocese of the Arctic’s St. Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Cathedral Dean Shane Parker said that the event “will be specifically geared to the proposed construction of the new Igloo Cathedral in 2009.” This is the second time that Christ Church Cathedral is hosting a fundraiser for St. Jude’s. About $2.2 million has been raised for the proposed construction, but an additional $4.5 million is still needed.

National television journalist Don Newman, and his wife, Shannon Day Newman, will be emcees at the concert, which will feature a stage band as well as guest soloists. Mr. Newman is the senior parliamentary editor for CBC and host of the daily CBC Newsworld program, Politics. Mrs. Newman, a former journalist in the parliamentary press gallery, works as a communications and public affairs consultant in the private sector.

No admission is being charged for the event, but envelopes will be available for those wishing to make a donation to the igloo-shaped cathedral, which was destroyed by arson in November 2005.