Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador

The Right Reverend Samuel Rose was born on Bell Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, where he was baptized, confirmed, and ordained a Priest in his home Church of St. Cyprian.

A graduate of Memorial University and Queen’s College, Bishop Sam has served the Church in the parishes of Battle Harbour and Cartwright (Labrador), Indian Bay (Diocese of Central Newfoundland), All Saints in Conception Bay South, and St. Michael and All Angels in St. John’s. He was Editor of the Tri-Diocesan newspaper Anglican Life for several years. He served as the Diocesan Executive Officer and Administrator of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador before his Consecration as Diocesan Bishop in 2020.

Bishop Sam is married to Jill, an Assistant Principal, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Amy and Samuel. They are passionate dog lovers and currently share their home with two poodles, Ollie and Maggie.

An avid landscape painter in watercolour and acrylic, Bishop Sam finds inspiration and spiritual meditation in the beauty of God’s Creation through his art. Guided by the Anglican via media—a balanced and inclusive approach to faith—he leads the Diocese with a commitment to unity, love, and service, drawing on the Anglican Church of Canada’s Five Marks of Mission and the Diocese’s Set Sail Strategic Plan.

Bishop Sam’s vision for the Diocese and the wider Church is to foster a deeper awareness of God’s presence in all aspects of life and to respond to God’s call to serve, even in the most challenging circumstances, with hope and faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, building vibrant, inclusive faith communities.

Dean of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador & Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Dean Roger first came to the Cathedral as a Choral Scholar in the late 1980s, while studying Music at Memorial University. After completing his B.Mus degree he went on to complete his M.Div. at Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology. Ordained in 2003, he has served in the Parishes of Labrador West, The Holy Trinity, St. Augustine’s, and as Chaplain to Memorial University for six years. He is humbled and honoured to return to the Cathedral as Dean and Rector and to serve during what promises to be an exciting time in the history of our Cathedral and our Diocese. His wife Sharon is the Director of Music and Organist at the Cathedral. 

Vicar Pastoral

The Reverend Gail Dick was born in Toronto, Ontario and has resided in St. John’s for over forty years. Prior to her studies at Queen’s College, she had a lengthy career in the tourism/hospitality industry and has always had a love of working with people. She began her studies at Queen’s College in the fall of 2020, enrolling in the Diploma in Theology and Ministry, and the Associate in Theology programs. She graduated from both the Diploma and Associate programs in the spring of 2023 and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Theology program. She joined the Cathedral family in September of 2024 as Vicar Pastoral and was ordained a priest in December of 2024.

Gail thoroughly enjoys working with children, and has been an Officer in the C.L.B., the oldest Christian youth organization in the province, for thirty years. In 2009, she was part of a team of C.L.B. youth and adult leaders that travelled to Belize to work on a school for underprivileged children. In 2018, she became the first woman in 126 years to be appointed Governor and Commandant of the organization. She is currently the Assistant Battalion Chaplain and Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor.

Director of Music

Sharon Whalen was born in Corner Brook and holds a Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education from Memorial University as well as a Master of Arts in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut. Other studies include the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England and course work in education from the University of Western Ontario. She has held a number of church musician appointments within the United and Anglican traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario. While living in Labrador West, she also conducted the community choir and was an inaugural director of the Labrador West Music Festival and Labrador West Summer Music Conservatory.  She is married to Roger (the Dean), and they have one daughter.