Creation of the Amen Saint-michel Fund

At the end of its 2014-2018 fundraising campaign, the Amen Saintmichel group has announced the creation of, the Amen Saint-michel Fund, dedicated to the restoration, conservation, and enhancement of the Cathedral-basilica and the Archbishopric of Sherbrooke. It also aims to support and facilitate ongoing efforts to solicit funds from various communities to ensure the sustainability of this major heritage site that the dioceses alone can’t support. In the short term, the fund will see to the completion of the commitments related to the 2014-2018 subscription campaign. This fund will also be mandated to obtain the grants for which renovation projects are eligible to meet the new needs that will arise in the future.

Following an exhaustive study conducted at the end of the episcopate of Archbishop André Gaumond, who reigned from 1996 to 2011, the estimated costs for the restoration and preservation of the Cathedral Basilica and the Archbishop's Palace were $8.5 million.

On the initiative of the late Roger Fortier, a dedicated and committed citizen, the group Amen Saint-michel was born and an ambitious fundraising campaign followed. Over the years, some 500 donors have responded, and clergy, religious communities, and many citizens from all walks of life have pitched in for the cause.

Former Sherbrooke Mayor and Amen Saint-michel representative acknowledged that to date, Amen St-michel has raised $8.1 million. "This means that work won’t end with this campaign. 90 per cent of the most urgent work has already been done, the building casing is protected and measures are being put in place to carry out the remaining work. In this regard, the Amen St-michel fund, will ensure the work goes on.”

As the 2014-18 campaign draws to a close, Bishop Luc Cyr, Archbishop of Sherbrooke and Co-honorary President of the Campaign welcomed the creation of the Fund and emphasized a more intangible spin-off from the Amen Saintmichel campaign. "Beyond the stone and the mortar, we have witnessed the birth and the expression of pride and solidarity of people to their religious heritage. In my opinion, it is this attachment that has been the real cement of the project and could be a promising material for the future," he said.