Cathedral’s Monday Morning Outreach continues after significant loss

The columbarium that holds the ashes of Doug Milander references a bible verse.

It’s not just any verse, it’s a big one — the one that defines many mission and outreach efforts —
and it defined Doug as well.

Matthew 25:40: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

“He lived by that scripture,” said Ann Deveau, his wife of nearly 47 years. “He felt very strongly about it. It was the guidepost for his life. It was baked into him.”

Helping others truly was Doug’s passion. A journalist at CBC and at the Daily Gleaner, he filled his retirement with various acts of service to others.

It’s no surprise, since his Nebraska family was a caregiving one. His dad was a social worker, his mom a teacher, his brother a pastor.

Doug began his adult life with a journalism degree and a draft notice.

Not wanting any part of the Vietnam War, he slipped across the border to Manitoba, where he worked as a weekly reporter, photographer and editor.

After several years, he wanted a change, came to the Maritimes for a vacation and decided New Brunswick would be his new home.

“He became a proud Canadian citizen and never regretted his principled decision to oppose the war,” said his obituary.

In Fredericton, he led the Christ Church Cathedral Monday Morning Outreach for 20 years, and when he died last July, the volunteers and the guests were devastated.

But the volunteers have managed to soldier on, providing sustenance and friendship to 70-80 people on the last Monday of each month at Cathedral Memorial Hall.

Ann had always been at Doug’s side at Outreach, first baking and making sandwiches at home while still working, and for the past 13 years, organizing it with Doug.

While she could have used Doug’s passing as a completely understandable reason for stepping back and letting someone else lead, that was not going to happen.

“It never even occurred to me at all,” she said. “I wanted to keep it up in Doug’s memory. And the need is still there.”

So she continues in the role of outreach coordinator.

THE BEGINNINGS
It was 20 years ago that retired Bishop Bill Hockin, then the dean, devised a plan to give Tim Hortons cards to people who came to the deanery or the Cathedral looking for help.

Wayne Phillips, a Cathedral parishioner at the time, sought to organize something a bit more substantial, so he began the Monday Morning Outreach, reasoning a Monday morning event would brighten the guests’ day and week.

He put out coffee, and then snacks. And Doug joined him to help out.

By the time Ann was on board in retirement, Outreach had evolved to offer live music, plenty of food, used clothing and household items, gift cards, a bible study and the services of the parish nurse.

“When it was going every week, it was a hopping place," said Susan Colpitts-Judd, a volunteer at Outreach. “It was a wonderful gathering of people.”

PANDEMIC CHANGES
Then the pandemic changed everything.

“Through COVID, Ann and Doug kept it going,” said Susan. “They managed it outside.”

There were several months when Ann and Doug were on the sidewalk, giving out gift cards, and treats, she said.

While Outreach used to be held each Monday, since the pandemic, they have limited themselves to the last Monday of the month, and the details have changed.

Instead of a sit-down and socialize event, it’s now a come in, pick up your $10 gift card (for groceries or the city bus), get your beverage, your bag of treats, your non-perishable groceries, toiletries and any clothing you need.

There are no plans to return to the sit-down style, nor every Monday either, for one simple reason: the resources are not there.

While the Cathedral is generous in giving them a budget, and donors are just as generous, the number of volunteers needed just to make the once-a-month event run smoothly is large, and as they say, they’re all getting older.

Some volunteers never come to Outreach, instead working at home to produce baked goods and sandwiches.

Others oversee a table on Monday mornings, and some handle the check-in of guests to maintain records. Then there is the set-up and clean-up crew. It was Doug’s job to greet everyone and hand out the gift cards.

“It went from once a week to once a month,” said Kirsten McKnight, the Cathedral's office administrator. “It works better with the volunteers.”

Volunteers from St. Margaret’s Anglican Church provide fruit and other goodies for each gathering, and the Rev. Kelly Burke and parishioners from New Maryland United Church are on-site volunteers.

Cathedral members also pitch in with food and on-site help.

Kirsten believes there are about two dozen volunteers at work for the preparation, execution and clean-up of each Outreach event.

“The need is beyond pressing for people,” said Susan. “I wish we had more to give.”

THE GUESTS
Some people have been coming for years and years. But Ann has noticed quite a shift.

“The demographic has changed,” said Ann. “The first language of many is no longer English. It’s Chinese, Ukrainian, Arabic, French, Indigenous, Bengali, Punjabi.

“It means so much to them when we call them by name. They’re delighted, even if we’re not pronouncing it correctly.”

Knowing the names of the guests was fundamental to Doug, said Ann.

“Between us we knew everybody’s name, and there are 200 names on the list.

“Doug felt very strongly that learning their names, looking them in the eye, was very important.”

The guests run the gamut when it comes to life stages.

“We’re helping people with newborn babies, seniors as well,” said Ann. “Some are living rough, but a lot are just down on their luck, living in rooming houses, shelters — but all walks of life.”

She’s also seeing international students and more children coming.

“I find everyone who volunteers here is very respectful,” said Kathy McBride, a long-time volunteer. “And you get close to the guests.”

THE FUNERAL
People at Doug’s funeral learned quite a bit about him. He was a draft evader from Nebraska. He was the Cathedral team coordinator at the Fredericton Community Kitchens. He gathered food for other outreach missions beyond the Cathedral.

“I learned so much at his funeral, from Geoffrey’s homily, to learning that every Sunday after church, he would quietly gather up the food donations and deliver them to Greener Village food bank,” said Kathy.

Ann experienced an outpouring of love and support at Doug’s funeral — sympathy cards, hugs, offers of help.

A former guest had moved away, but found out about Doug’s passing. She tracked Ann down and told her, ‘he was always kind to me.’

Then lots more stories came out: he came with me to court; he helped me move.

Ann is very appreciative of the support and love during Doug’s illness, and in the intervening months since his passing.

IT TAKES A TEAM
“We get strong support financially from Bishop & Chapter. The Dean (Geoffrey Hall) has been very helpful, frequently joining us on a Monday morning to chat with the guests and hand out groceries. And our volunteers are so loyal,” said Ann.

“People are so kind and generous.”

That generosity was demonstrated by many memorial donations to Outreach in Doug’s name, she said.

Outreach is a community of those in need and those who strive to fill that need, coming together to live out Doug’s favourite bible verse in Matthew's Gospel.

“I’m a tiny cog in the wheel. I do enjoy it. It makes you feel grateful. There but for the grace of God, go I,” said Kathy.

“I guess you could say it’s an institution in Fredericton now,” said Susan.

THOUGHTS ON DOUG MILANDER
Hank Williams, Verger Emeritus: We struck up a friendship. He was from Nebraska; I am from Alabama.

It was more than a casual friendship. He was just such a likeable man.

Doug and Ann are the most Christian people I have ever seen. They have the patience I do not have.

I don’t think I have ever considered that they wouldn’t know what to do and how to do it — in any situation.
They practice the gospel in service to others.

Kathy McBride, volunteer: Doug was a quiet, reticent man.

I think we are called to serve others. Ann and Doug have given so much, without fanfare. I admire them very much.
It takes a village, a community, and I am so impressed by what they have done.

Susan Colpitts-Judd, volunteer: We saw his illness advancing, but he didn’t skip a beat.

One of our guests is an avid reader, and Doug always brought a book for him.

Doug was a very quiet and very dedicated man. He never made a fuss about anything.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1. Philip Lee, Richard Crowe, Jen Englis, and Kathy McBride prepare fruit and other goodies for the Monday Morning Outreach at Christ Church Cathedral.  A large crew of volunteers lends a hand each month in a myriad of ways to help those in need. Jen, seen in the photo, was a student at NBCC who needed to log volunteer hours for a course. Not only did she continue coming after she fulfilled that commitment, she brought friends to help as well. Photo credit: Kirsten McKnight
2.  Doug Milander was the steady presence and leader behind the Christ Church Cathedral Monday Morning Outreach until his death in July 2025.  Photo credit: Kirsten McKnight
3.  Jen Englis, Brad McKnight, Charlotte McKnight, Kirsten McKnight, Kathy McBride, and Ann Deveau at Outreach.  Photo credit: Jen Englis
4.  The Rev. Kelly Burke from New Maryland United Church, and Helen Liang oversee the clothing rack.  Photo credit: Kirsten McKnight