PAROISSE ST-JOACHIM
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Mission Statement
Preserving the Heart of La Broquerie Mission Document for the Restoration of Our Historic Church 1. Introduction: A Sacred Space Rooted in Community In every town, there is a place that holds more than its physical structure—it holds identity, memory, and meaning. In La Broquerie, Manitoba, that place is our historic Roman Catholic church. For over 125 years, it has stood as a symbol of the people who built and shaped our region. Constructed by settlers, farmers, and clergy from local stone and timber, the church has always been more than a religious building. It’s been the site of weddings, funerals, Christmas masses, harvest prayers, and public announcements. In a time before community centers and rural infrastructure, the church was the heart of La Broquerie. But time and weather have worn it down. The walls need attention. The roof leaks. The windows and systems are outdated. Without action, we risk losing a priceless piece of our community’s past. This restoration project is not just about construction—it’s about renewal. It’s about ensuring that this church continues to serve the people of La Broquerie, as it has for generations. Seniors, youth, immigrants, and families alike will benefit from the rebirth of this historic space. We believe the values this church represents—faith, community, endurance—are just as vital today as they were 125 years ago. Through careful restoration, we aim to preserve a place that has welcomed, healed, taught, and unified generations. Our mission is to honor our history and invest in our future by restoring this place with care, integrity, and the same spirit of cooperation that first brought it to life. 2. Historical Background: Stones That Tell a Story The church in La Broquerie was born from a pioneer spirit. Settlers from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Quebec arrived in the late 1800s, drawn by the promise of farmland and a fresh start. With them came a strong Catholic faith and the determination to create a stable, faith-centered community. Construction began in the early 1900s. Materials were gathered locally—stone from nearby fields and quarries, wood from the boreal forests, mortar mixed and applied by hand. Parishioners volunteered time, tools, and resources. The church became a physical and spiritual refuge, reflecting the shared hopes of its builders. Designed in traditional Catholic style, the building includes a soaring steeple, stained-glass windows, and a serene sanctuary. It served not only for mass but for public meetings, confirmations, funerals, and festivals. During the early 20th century, religious orders like the Sisters of Saint-Joseph, the Sisters of the Holy Saviour, and the Oblates also worked within the parish, supporting health care, education, and social outreach. It was here that Bishop Pierre Fisette first encountered the faith that would shape his life. Born in La Broquerie in 1943, ordained in 1968, and appointed Bishop of Hearst in 1993, he remained deeply connected to this community until his passing in 1995. As La Broquerie grew, the church remained its center. Over the decades, it welcomed new immigrant families, weathered economic changes, and remained a trusted gathering space. During the wars, it mourned and remembered. In times of celebration, its bells rang out. But despite its importance, the structure has deteriorated. Roof repairs are needed, insulation is lacking, and the original windows are inefficient. Yet the bones of the building remain strong. The opportunity to preserve its craftsmanship and renew its purpose is within reach—and we believe the time to act is now. 3. Mission Statement Our mission is to restore, preserve, and revitalize La Broquerie’s historic church as a living symbol of our community’s heritage, faith, and future. We commit to: Preserving history by protecting original architectural features and honoring the craftsmanship and stories of the past. Strengthening community by transforming the space into a vibrant cultural and spiritual center for all. Promoting sustainability through energy-efficient upgrades that reduce emissions and operating costs. Fostering education and mentorship by involving youth, tradespeople, and volunteers in the restoration process and ongoing programs. Welcoming all people by creating a space that is inclusive, accessible, and reflective of La Broquerie’s diverse population. This mission is a celebration of rural resilience and a commitment to ensuring that the values of cooperation, care, and faith continue to shape our future. We believe the church can once again become a cornerstone of community life—bringing together seniors, families, immigrants, and youth under one restored roof. 4. Vision Statement We envision a renewed church that stands as both a historical monument and a contemporary gathering place. In thisIn this future: The church tells the story of La Broquerie’s past through exhibits, photographs,
About This Cause
Charity Description: Friends of La Broquerie’s Historic Church I. Our Identity and Purpose Friends of La Broquerie’s Historic Church is a registered nonprofit charitable organization committed to preserving, restoring, and revitalizing the 125-year-old Catholic church at the heart of La Broquerie, Manitoba. More than a house of worship, this church is a historical, cultural, and communal cornerstone—a symbol of the rural immigrant experience, French-Canadian faith, and multigenerational resilience. Our charity emerged from the community itself—born out of a desire to prevent the irreversible loss of an irreplaceable landmark. Built by settlers with stones from local fields and wood from surrounding forests, the church embodies both faith and frontier determination. Today, we aim to carry this spirit forward by restoring the building with care and transforming it into a living heritage center for all. We believe that by saving this church, we’re not only preserving a building—we’re safeguarding our story, enriching our future, and creating a powerful space for connection, learning, and belonging. II. Our Mandate Our organization’s mandate is fivefold: Preserve Architectural and Cultural Heritage Restore and protect the original architecture and craftsmanship of the historic church, ensuring its survival for future generations. Serve the Community Reactivate the space as a multifunctional community hub offering services, events, mentorship, and cultural programming for seniors, families, youth, and newcomers. Promote Environmental Responsibility Retrofit the building to meet modern energy standards, reduce emissions, and model sustainable practices in heritage restoration. Foster Education and Engagement Develop historical, artistic, and vocational programming that engages students, local trades, historians, and tourists alike. Unite Past and Future Provide a spiritual and cultural bridge between La Broquerie’s founding generations and its vibrant, multicultural present-day community. III. A Place Worth Saving This church, originally built around the turn of the 20th century, is one of the oldest surviving religious structures in rural Manitoba still standing on its original foundation. For decades, it was the largest building in La Broquerie, serving as a spiritual, social, and educational center. It is steeped in stories: Of pioneers clearing brush and hauling limestone by hand. Of parishioners braving prairie winters to worship together. Of weddings, funerals, and holidays marked by the ringing of its steeple bell. Of generations of schoolchildren marching in for confirmation. Of immigrants welcomed into a home of faith and friendship. Despite this legacy, the building has suffered from decades of underfunding and deterioration. A leaking roof, drafty windows, outdated electrical systems, and a failing foundation all threaten its continued use. Yet even in its fragile state, it stands strong in memory and in spirit. IV. Our Vision for the Future Our vision is bold but achievable: to restore this historic church and reimagine it as a heritage and cultural center that blends the sacred with the civic. Our plans include: Restoration of Historic Elements: Protecting stonework, wood beams, stained glass, and traditional architectural features. Installation of Modern Infrastructure: Efficient heating and cooling systems, lighting upgrades, accessibility improvements, and insulation. Cultural and Educational Space: Exhibits, archives, oral histories, tours, and local artwork showcasing the story of La Broquerie and its people. Programming for All Ages: Music performances, interfaith discussions, youth leadership camps, rural heritage workshops, and newcomer welcome sessions. Intergenerational Learning: Opportunities for seniors to mentor youth in trades, farming heritage, language preservation, and faith traditions. We want this church to be a place where elders share stories, youth discover purpose, and newcomers feel welcome and rooted. V. Our People and Origins Our charity is community-led. Founded by local residents, tradespeople, elders, and faith leaders, we reflect the same collaborative spirit that built the church more than a century ago. Many of our volunteers are descendants of the original builders. Others are recent immigrants who see the church as a way to become part of something larger than themselves. Our leadership includes: Local historians Retired tradespeople and construction supervisors Faith-based organizations (including the Sisters of Saint-Joseph and Oblates) Educators, farmers, and artists Youth representatives We are deeply grounded in La Broquerie’s rural culture, language, and spirit of hospitality. At our heart, we are neighbors helping neighbors, working together to create a space that honors our shared past and inspires future generations. VI. Environmental Commitment While our focus is heritage, our approach is forward-thinking. In partnership with Manitoba’s Deep Retrofit Program, we are committed to: Reducing the building’s energy use by more than 50% Lowering greenhouse gas emissions by upgrading windows, insulation, and heating systems Incorporating solar-ready infrastructure Preserving materials to reduce landfill waste Using low-impact, eco-certified building practices This is not just about protecting history—it’s about building a sustainable future. By making the church energy-efficient, we’ll cut long-term costs, model good stewardship, and show how even century-old structures can meet 21st-century standards. VII. Programming & Impact Once restored, the building will serve as a dynamic platform for year-round programs that strengthen the region and serve thousands annually. Seniors Social tea afternoons and music Memory archiving and oral history projects Language and tradition exchange with youth Youth Trade skills and mentorship with local artisans Heritage crafts, photography, and journalism clubs Volunteer training and leadership development Newcomers and Families Citizenship and welcome ceremonies Cultural orientation sessions Multilingual community events Visitors and Tourists Historical tours and cultural exhibits Festivals and artist residencies Faith heritage and architectural lectures The project is expected to generate economic, educational, social, and environmental benefits that ripple throughout the region. VIII. Strategic Partners and Supporters Our project has already drawn strong support from public and private sources. Partners include: Cropo Foundation Manitoba Government’s Retrofit Program Sisters of Saint-Joseph, the Oblates, and the Sisters of the Holy Saviour Local families and farmers Former executives from Hylife Regional Municipalities and cultural councils We are continuing to build relationships with foundations, corporate sponsors, Indigenous organizations, and philanthropic individuals. Each partner brings a unique strength—whether funding, materials, equipment, volunteers, or expertise. IX. Financial Overview & Funding Needs Phase I (Emergency Repairs & Engineering): Roof stabilization Window and entrance protection Structural assessments Estimated Budget: $300,000 Phase II (Deep Retrofit & Interior Restoration): HVAC and insulation upgrades Electrical and lighting improvements Flooring, painting, plaster Estimated Budget: $1,200,000 Phase III (Programming & Activation): Exhibits, archives, AV equipment Accessibility ramps, washrooms Youth and senior programming materials Estimated Budget: $500,000 Total Campaign Goal: $2,000,000 CAD We are currently at 35% of our goal thanks to early supporters and need funding to complete the next phases. Donations, grants, equipment loans, and in-kind contributions are all welcome. Long-Term Sustainability Once restored, the building will be self-sustaining through: Event rentals and cultural programming fees Partnerships with tourism boards Provincial heritage grants Donation and membership campaigns Regional sponsorships and fundraising eventsA stewardship committee will manage upkeep, community use, and programming. Our goal is not just restoration but long-term vitality. XI. Call to Action We invite you—foundations, corporations, government agencies, and generous individuals—to join us in this ambitious and deeply meaningful work. Every donation helps preserve an irreplaceable landmark, renew community life, and inspire a new generation. Let’s work together to make La Broquerie’s historic church a model for rural renewal, environmental responsibility, cultural continuity, and community care. We are not just saving a building. We are renewing a legacy. And with your help, it will stand strong for the next 125 years. Charity Description: Friends of La Broquerie’s Historic Church I. Our Identity and Purpose Friends of La Broquerie’s Historic Church is a registered nonprofit charitable organization committed to preserving, restoring, and revitalizing the 125-year-old Catholic church at the heart of La Broquerie, Manitoba. More than a house of worship, this church is a historical, cultural, and communal cornerstone—a symbol of the rural immigrant experience, French-Canadian faith, and multigenerational resilience. Our charity emerged from the community itself—born out of a desire to prevent the irreversible loss of an irreplaceable landmark. Built by settlers with stones from local fields and wood from surrounding forests, the church embodies both faith and frontier determination. Today, we aim to carry this spirit forward by restoring the building with care and transforming it into a living heritage center for all. We believe that by saving this church, we’re not only preserving a building—we’re safeguarding our story, enriching our future, and creating a powerful space for connection, learning, and belonging. II. Our Mandate Our organization’s mandate is fivefold: Preserve Architectural and Cultural Heritage Restore and prote