Cathedral Team

To Be Announced

The Very Reverend Elizabeth Joan Bretzlaff’s career is one of firsts. She is the first woman to serve as Dean of Ottawa and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral. In the early 1990s, she became the first female priest on staff at the Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels in Kelowna, British Columbia. She is the first (and only) daughter in a family of sons, and was the first from that family to move halfway around the world—twice.

Dean Beth grew up on a dairy farm in Shawville, Quebec. Being very involved in her local parish, she felt drawn to pastoral leadership from an early age. At just seventeen—encouraged by her bishop, Edwin Lackey, who became a great influence throughout her life—she found herself under evaluation by a panel of senior clergy, not all of whom looked favourably on the prospect of ordaining women.

After this nerve-wracking experience, Dean Beth fled the idea of a career in the church, but the idea did not flee her. Two years after completing a B.A. in Psychology at the University of Ottawa, she found herself back at school, this time for a Master of Divinity degree from the Vancouver School of Theology. She was ordained deacon in 1993 and priest in 1994 in the Diocese of Kootenay. Her time as Curate and then Vicar at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and all Angels formed her priesthood, instilled in her a love of liturgy and community building, and taught her about the unique role of a cathedral’s ministry.

Dean Beth’s love of challenge and change then led her down a different path, and in 2001 she became Publicist and Acquisitions Assistant at Wood Lake Books/Northstone Publishing, indulging her love of literature. In 2004, a transformative opportunity took Dean Beth to New Zealand, where she lived into her passion for working with young people in her role as Child, Youth and Family Educator for the Diocese of Dunedin. That passion, and her desire to serve the wider community, led her to complete a postgraduate degree in Social and Community Work at the University of Otago, which she put into practice as a Youth Justice Social Worker with a focus on the promise of restorative justice.

Despite these many vocational adventures and all of the firsts that came with them, when Dean Beth thinks of the event that most profoundly shaped her life and her career, it’s not a first that comes to mind—it’s a last. It’s the moment when she held her infant daughter’s hand in a New Zealand hospital and said her last goodbye. Hannah Griffin, who arrived in this world in November 2006, was born with a heart defect that took her life just two weeks later. But motherhood doesn’t end when a child’s time on earth is over. Dean Beth’s role as Hannah’s mother and as a pastoral leader are forever intertwined, providing a wellspring of hope and love that guides her theology, her practice of ministry, and her quest to live a life of self-discovery and connection with others.

That quest brought Dean Beth back to Canada in 2010, where she accepted a position as Chaplain at Ashbury College in Ottawa. That role drew on both her pastoral experience and her love of engaging with youth, and it deepened her commitment to working with interfaith and secular communities. In 2013, she was called to ministry at St. John the Evangelist Ottawa, where she served as Incumbent and worked to make the Anglican tradition alive and relevant in an urban context. In September 2020, she was installed as Dean of Ottawa and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral.

Dean Beth is known for her memorable laugh and her contagious and irrepressible sense of humour. When she is not serving as Dean and Rector, she is most often found pursuing adventures outdoors, usually with her bike, her skis, or her beloved red kayak propelling her through the wilderness, camera in hand. Her philosophy for living—the philosophy that has helped her to conquer all of those firsts, and to endure the painful lasts—is best encapsulated by the poet Mary Oliver: “Pay attention; be astonished; tell about it.”

Canon Doug Richards grew up in many small communities in Southern Ontario. Being the son of a Bank Manager, moving location seemed to be a part of life. In his early teenage years, a friend of his father asked him if he would follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a bank manager. He responded, “No, I want to live in the same home all of my adult life!” This has not been a reality for Doug. His experience has been that when you say ‘absolutely not’ Divine ears prick up and God’s wonderful sense of humor comes into play. Since being ordained in 1992, Doug has served in seven different parishes before coming to the Cathedral, experiencing 8 different moves in 27 years.

After working as a waiter/bartender for a couple of years between High School and University, Doug began his education at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After experiencing University cut backs in the department of Philosophy, he transferred to Carleton University to complete his Bachelor of Arts. Having completed his BA he enrolled at St. Paul University where he gained his Bachelor of Theology in the spring of 1992.

Doug was ordained deacon and priest in the Diocese of Ottawa in 1992. Prior to his appointment to Christ Church Cathedral in 2019, he has served in several different parishes. His ministry experience has been rich and fulfilling. He has served in both the Ottawa and Ontario Dioceses, as well as having a part of his last parish being in the Diocese of Montreal.

Doug is married to Richard, who is completing his PhD at Carleton University. They share their home with Cassie, a calico cat who regularly lets them know she is the ruler of the house.

Jarrett was ordained a deacon in 2018, and serves as the chaplain to Belong Ottawa, including St. Luke’s Table, Centre 454, and the Well. He has many years experience in various parish ministries, including pastoral care, preaching, and teaching.

Jarrett is also principal and full professor in the Liberal Arts College, Concordia University (Montreal) where he teaches courses in the history and philosophy of science through a “great books” curriculum. His specialty is the early modern period in political thought, concentrating on Martin Luther, the Reformation, and the Renaissance, but he also has a wide range of academic interests, including ancient Greek philosophy, early modern science, the American Founding, and the history of astronomy.

Jarrett and his wife Nikki, have two daughters, Hannah and Olivia.

Padre Michelle Staples was born and raised in the United Kingdom. Following service as a British Police Officer and a Civil Servant, she arrived in Canada and shortly thereafter commenced studies with Saint Paul University. Upon graduation, Padre Staples was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Ottawa where she served as curate to St. Matthias Church, and then rector of St. Mary’s, Russell. In addition to her duties as parish priest, she served for 10 years on the Anglican Roman Catholic Dialogue (ARC Canada), acted as post ordination training coordinator for the diocese, served as a delegate to General Synod, a member of Faith Worship and Ministry for two terms, and as a member of the worship committee for General Synod 2003. She was appointed Canon Ecumenist for the Diocese of Ottawa in January 2001.

Joining the military in 2003, Padre Staples was posted to Greenwood NS during which time she served with 14 Air Maintenance Squadron, 404, 405 and 415 Squadron. Promoted to the rank of Major and posted in 2007 to Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, she served with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and 427 Special Operations Squadron. During this time she provided ministry in diverse locations world-wide, working within a multi disciplinary team to provide Ministry of Presence to Canadian Special Operations Forces Command personnel and their families at home and abroad.

In the summer of 2010, she was posted as the Brigade Chaplain for 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group as the Senior Team Lead for 17 chaplains serving in Edmonton and Shilo. In November 2011 she was installed as a Canon of the church with the Anglican Military Ordinariate.

Promoted and posted to the Royal Canadian Navy in August of 2012, Padre Staples assumed the role of Maritime Atlantic Formation Chaplain, and in November 2012 received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for services to the members and families of the Canadian Armed Forces. In August of 2013 she was appointed Command Chaplain for the Royal Canadian Navy, and is currently residing in Ottawa.

Born and raised in Calgary, Katherine’s childhood was immersed in music thanks to her family of talented musicians. This musical upbringing instilled a deep sense of harmony that extends to all areas of her life.

She traveled Europe as a toddler with her family, lived in Brazil as a teenager and was off grid in the Yukon Territory as a young woman.

Beginning with a background in Fine Arts and a career in Design, Katherine switched gears and joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 2005. Her naval career has taken her across the globe, specializing in advanced operations before finding her calling as a Chaplain.

Ordained during the height of the pandemic on Epiphany 2022, she is delighted to move out of that time and rediscover the sacred rhythm of communal worship, the shared song in hymns, the responsive voice in prayer, and the heartfelt laughter and conversations in fellowship.

For Katherine, church life embodies the notion that beauty is found in the ordinary acts of gathering, in the ritual of Eucharist, and in the silent moments of reflection. The pandemic taught her the fragility and preciousness of these interactions, and now, as we come together again, she brings with her a renewed appreciation for every handshake, every smile, and every lit candle.

The welcome she’s received at the Cathedral make it a true spiritual home for her where she can find solace, inspiration, and a profound sense of belonging.

Completing her Divinity studies at Vancouver Theology, Katherine also dabbles in fiction writing, though she would describe it more as an affliction rather than a passion, thanks to her demanding muse. Redemption is a recurring theme in her work, often infused with humour to tackle tough topics.

A phrase that strongly speaks to Katherine’s faith comes from Archbishop Rowan Williams: “Truth makes love possible, and love makes truth bearable.”

A native of Nova Scotia, James was appointed Director of Music and Organist in 2017 having previously served as the Cathedral’s Associate Director of Music since 2012. As DoM James overseas all aspects of the Cathedral’s music ministry, one of the largest sacred music programs in the country, and serves as the Cathedral’s principal organist and director of both the Girls Choir and Voces Cathedrae. Prior to coming to the Cathedral he served for ten years as Director of Music at First Baptist Church, Ottawa while from 1997-2001 he was DoM at First Presbyterian Church, Niles, Michigan, where he led a music program of seven choirs and well over one hundred singers. As a student James served as Assistant Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal having previously held that post at the University of King’s College, Halifax.

James studied at Dalhousie (B.Mus. with a University Medal) and McGill Universities (M.Mus.) as well as the Eastman School of Music. A Canada Council for the Arts grant enabled independent studies in France with the organists Louis Robilliard (Lyon) and Dominique Serve (Aix-en-Provence).

His solo concert activities include numerous recitals on distinguished instruments in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as performances on the English and French networks of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and at several national conventions of the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In addition he is a frequent accompanist and continuo player for ensembles throughout Canada’s Capital Region, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Choir, Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra, the Ottawa Choral Society, the Ottawa Bach Choir, the Cantata Singers of Ottawa and the Anglican Chorale.

Juno nominated conductor, Andrew McAnerney, was raised in the Anglican music tradition. As a boy chorister he sang in the choirs of Cirencester Parish Church and Gloucester Cathedral. He studied music at Oxford University while holding the position of academical clerk (choral scholar) at Magdalen College. As a tenor lay clerk he sang at St.George’s, Windsor Castle and Rochester Cathedral before pursuing a professional career singing with groups including the Tallis Scholars and BBC singers.

In addition to his work at Christ Church Andrew is the Artistic Director of the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal (SMAM) and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa. Andrew frequently appears as a guest conductor and has worked with groups including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Elora Singers, Elmer Iseler Singers, and La Rose des Vents.

Andrew is passionate about music accessibility and dedicated to ensuring that the next generation of boy choristers obtain an excellent musical education.

Nick is wonderful and this is Nick’s bio.

When I moved with my young family to Ottawa in 1991, I was drawn to Christ Church Cathedral by the exceptional music and the building’s heritage character. My son was baptised here, although it was much to the consternation of his slightly older sister, who loudly instructed the then-Vicar “not to hurt my baby brother” (she later put her voice to better use when she joined the first cohort of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir). Both children participated in Sunday School and Holy Terrors.

Professionally, I was schooled in architectural history and museum studies, served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, and had a 35-year career in the Federal public service. I retired during the pandemic and joined the ranks of the flower arrangers. Since becoming a deputy warden, I have been putting my organizational skills and knowledge of heritage buildings to work in a variety of ways, to include being part of the project to replace the Sparks Street and Queen Street steps.

My time outside the Cathedral is filled with the duties of President of Heritage Ottawa, cross-country skiing, walking, cycling, reading, and travel to all parts of the world.

Mostly retired and now living in Carleton Place, I grew up on a farm in BC before marrying and then moving (husband’s transfers) several times within Canada – Alberta, Newfoundland, British Columbia and now Ontario. If you include the Diocese of New Westminster where I was baptized, confirmed and married, we have been active members in ten parishes within six different dioceses spanning all four metropolitans.

Professionally speaking, I was trained and then practiced as a teacher (K-12), school principal, district leader and, most recently, educational consultant.

Christmas Eve 2002 was the first time we worshipped at Christ Church Cathedral. Transferred from Clarenville, NL to Revelstoke, BC, we drove across the country, arriving in Ottawa December 24. Awed by the worship and moved by the music, we wistfully commented, “Oh to live in Ottawa where we could be a part of this, and our children become members of this magnificent choir.” While that never happened, a little more than ten years later, our lives were led to the Cathedral where we have been actively involved ever since.