EnRicher May 2019

CELEBRATING OVER 20 YEARS OF RICHER NEWS!

Volume 21 Issue 12

May 2019

Historic Church in Richer Sold to Historical Society

The Archdiocese of Saint Boniface is pleased to announce that the historic Église de l’EnfantJésus in Richer has been sold to the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus for one dollar. The signing of the transfer of property took place on April 17.

For Bishop LeGatt, the signing marks the beginning of a new phase for the historic church: “The Archdiocese is very much aware of the pride Richer residents have in their history and cultural heritage.

We are happy to collaborate with the community of Richer so that the building continues to have a life of its own, not only as the Dawson Trail Museum but as a meeting place for community

continued inside...

Rachelle Laurin, member of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Yvonne Fontaine Godard, president of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Susan McEwen, member of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Lynne Bruneteau-Robson, member of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Albert LeGatt, Archbishop of Saint Boniface; Fr. Gérard Dionne, witness to the transfer of property, Mathieu Lafrenière, lawyer and witness; bishop Albert Fréchette, witness.

Basketball in the Park

The park now has a basketball net located in the skating rink thanks to a generous donation from local volunteer firefighter Robert Randell and wife Suzanne Randell.

They donated another net that needs a base. If anyone has a base they would like to donate or sell, please call Sarah at 204-4226311. As well if anyone has any basketballs that can be left in the rink for use we can come and pick them up.

MARK YOUR

CALENDAR!

Artisan Sale, May 4, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Museum. For more information please contact lynne@crazychameleon. ca.

The Richer Community Club monthly meeting is Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 pm at the LUD Community Hall.

Friday May 10, 7 pm: “What About Bob?” Free Event: The community of Richer is invited to join Youth as they welcome Bob Lagasse, MLA of Dawson Trail. Bob will share his faith journey, the joys of being a foster parent, and how God opened the door to his political career. The Steinbach CMC church Praise Team will inspire everyone with song as their live band performs throughout the evening. For more info please text Michelle at 371-8021, phone 424-5216 or email richerfiresideyouth@gmail.com.

Saturday, May 11 and 25: Recycling Collection. 9:30 am - 12 noon. 1st stop Burnell’s, 2nd stop Richer Inn, 3rd stop Tibeauville, 4th stop Timberline, with the 5th stop at the Richer Husky where the recyclers will remain until noon. Recycling can also be dropped off in the recycling shed located in the Richer Husky parking lot at your convenience.

The Dawson Trail Museum committee will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, May 13 at 1pm at the LUD Hall. You are all welcome to attend.

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Birthdays! Special Days!

Garage Sales! Classified Ads are $5 each up to 25 words, extra words are 20 cents each.

For ads or news stories contact Dan at enricher@simplyconnected.ca

or (204) 355-8798.

The EnRicher is published as a service by the Richer Community Club Inc.

Young at Heart dinner and Dance – On Saturday, May 18 from 5 – 11 pm at the Young at Heart hall monthly Dinner & Dance. Cash bar at 5 pm, supper at 6 pm followed by Dance. Cost $20. Contact to reserve ticket Irene at 204-422-5932 or Marie at 204-422-3052.

Dawson Trail Museum annual rummage sale on May 24, 25 & 26. Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. If you are willing to part with gently used items please send an email to yfontaine52@gmail.com or call 204422-9369 for more information. Items will be accepted after May 4. All proceeds

go towards the museum renovations and maintenance. Thank you for your continued support.

Tuesday, May 28: Deadline for submissions for the June issue of the EnRicher.

Richer Community Club Chase the Ace! - Every Saturday at the Richer Inn from 5:30 - 7:45 pm. Tickets only $1 each.

Jackpot is growing! Steak Special and more! Check out and like Richer Community Club Facebook page for updates.

LGA License #1392RF. Richer Recovery AA - Group meets Monday from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at LUD Hall in

Richer. Contact Paul at 204-422-7673.

Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating grades 8 and 12. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club. MGCC License # BI/BO4164.

Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or doreen@spmf.ca.

Richer Fellowship Church at 50 Southeast Drive service is Sundays at 10:30 am with Pastor Ben Funk. Everyone is welcome.

Museum continued...

events as well as occasional religious celebrations.”

Yvonne Fontaine Godard is president of the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus, which runs the Dawson Trail Museum. “The transfer of property represents the final step in a process begun in 1995. With it, the dreams of the community of Richer have been realized. Our residents want to preserve their heritage, which is a part of their francophone and Métis roots and identities. There’s a real feeling of belonging tied up to this building.

Our ancestors were baptized and married in this church and are buried in the graveyard. It’s no wonder that over the years, our volunteers have given so much of their time and energy to restore the building. When restoration began, the building really needed lots of tender loving care. Our volunteers gave us the wings we needed for the church to become a beautiful museum. We’re very grateful for their dedication.”

Built in 1913 the Église de l’Enfant-Jésus served the Catholic community in Richer until September 17, 1995. A group of

volunteers, initially named Les Amis de la prière, strove over the years to restore the historic building to its original state. The group incorporated in February 2000 as the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus. Restoration began earnest after the church was designated a historic building on September 26, 2007 by the Rural municipality of Ste. Anne. The church now serves as a museum, the Musée Dawson Trail Museum, founded in 2013.

The transfer of property contains two conditions. Should the Corporation du Site Historique EnfantJésus dissolve, the Archdiocese will buy the property back for the same sum of one dollar. As well, the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus will use the site for purposes that reflect the values of the Catholic Church.

The Archdiocese of St. Boniface has kept the cemetery but has sold the remaining property associated with the former parish. In May 2017 the lot on which stands a former convent, now a residential building, was sold. In January 2018, the remaining property was subdivided. Three lots were then sold to the RM of Ste. Anne in March 2018. Profits from the sales, totalling $ 255 757.87, have been put in trust to ensure the perpetual maintenance of the cemetery, managed by the Parish of Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes, in Ste. Anne, Manitoba.

In recognition of the tireless efforts of its roughly 40 volunteers, $25 000 were given on July 17, 2018 to the Corporation du Site Historique de l’Enfant-Jésus.

Église de l’Enfant-Jésus: A Brief History…

- The Église de l’Enfant-Jésus is a fine example of French-Canadian religious architecture. Designed by J. A. Hudon of St. Boniface, with plans revised by A. Gauthier of Lorette, the church played a significant role in the religious, educational and social life in the Richer area, especially among the Métis.

- The church was constructed by volunteers using local materials.

The church was officially blessed on December 14, 1913.

- Closed as a parish in September 1995, the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface nevertheless permits mass to be celebrated on special occasions, such as the centennial celebrations held on June 23, 2013.

- The building was designated a historic building on September 26, 2007 by the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne.

- The Église de l’Enfant-Jésus is the second church built on the site.

In 1903, Fr. Alexandre Defoy built a small chapel in what was then known as Thibaultville, in honour of Jean-Baptiste Thibault, the first missionary priest in the area. The following year, the Archbishop of St. Boniface, Louis-Philippe-Adélard Langevin, had the little EnfantJésus chapel designated as a Catholic Mission, with Fr. Defoy as the first parish priest.

- In 1905 the town, now booming with a vibrant logging industry, got its first Post Office. However, Canada Post refused to name the town Thibaultville, as there apparently were already many towns with that name. Thibaultville became Richer, in honour of a generous parishioner and former postmaster of Ste. Anne, Isaïe Richer.

- By 1910, it was apparent that the little chapel did not meet the needs of a growing parish. The new priest, Fr. Joseph-Albert Beaudry, initiated the construction of a new church, which has now been sold to the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus.

RECYCLE AND DONATE:

The Museum committee have partnered with Allan Durocher to pick up your derelict vehicle, old implements or scrap at no charge to you. He will donate 40% of the invoice value paid

by General Scrap, in your name. In return the Corporation The Enfant-Jesus Heritage Site, better known now as the Dawson Trail Museum will issue and send you an official tax receipt for the amounts $20 and greater. You may call Yvonne at 204-422-9369 to make arrangements for pick ups.

All proceeds go towards the renovations of the Museum.

Thank you!

The Dawson Trail Museum committee would like to thank everyone who participated at the Walk with the Cross and the Way of the Cross on Good Friday.

Membership Drive to Support Museum

The Dawson Trail Museum is having a membership drive to welcome everyone to take part in celebrating the future. Cost for annual membership is only $5.

Richer Fireside Youth...

Glow Bowling Event

A good time was had by all as Youth went Glow Bowling at Deluxe Bowling Lanes in Steinbach on Friday April 26. Youth smoked everyone scoring more points in the 2 games than parents and friends, leaving them in the dust. Afterwards, Dairy Queen was not prepared for the victory chant that unfortunately cleared half the restaurant!

For more info on the Fireside Youth Group please text Michelle at 371-8021, phone 424-5216 or email richerfiresideyouth@gmail. com.

Park Clean-up

Thank you to everyone who came down to the park on Saturday, April 27 to help pick garbage, change out recycling and garbages, and rake wood chips and sand for the sand box. It was especially great to see all the kids who helped out and now the park looks great for the season!

Fire Department sets up Skateboard/BMX park

On April 28 members of the Richer Fire Department spent their Sunday morning setting up the skateboard/BMX park and cleaning the rink in the Richer Dawson Trail Park. We appreciate the time the members put in to have it set up for the season.

Please use caution when using the skate/BMX park, be respectful of others and have fun.