By Brianne Cascanette
It may have been the first place in which I encountered and truly caught a glimpse of the splendour and grandeur of God.
I had never seen such a church—an expansive space, beautifully and intricately detailed from front to back, floor to ceiling.
There was not a spot I could look where there wasn’t a glimpse of beauty.
My eyes would go from space to space, resting for a minute or two, trying to take in what was around me as a child attending Mass. Even now, many years later, I continue to see bits and pieces that feel new; glimpses into the life of Jesus and the saints that stir within me a greater desire and call to live as a disciple of Christ. As I sit in this sacred space, I can also catch a glimpse of something that calls to mind a sense of awe and brings my spirit a sense of peace.
The Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and captivating churches within Western Canada. Even on a national scale, it stands as a renowned and historic landmark cherished by the Gravelbourg community.
I have had the privilege of being present in the Co-Cathedral at various points in my life and spiritual journey—during Easter vigils, baptisms, weddings, and Sunday Masses. Each time, I am reminded of how this sacred space is a testament to lives lived in faith, service, and community.
Most recently, I found myself seated in the Co-Cathedral, preparing for the kickoff of the Preservation Fund Gala. The evening was filled with music, stories, and songs, all intertwined with the significance of this town and, specifically, this Cathedral. It is a historic landmark, and one that remains central to the identity of Gravelbourg. But caring for such a spiritual home is no small task, and it’s clear that ensuring its continued vitality requires effort from both the current and future generations.
André Moquin, Chair of the Preservation Fund, shared that the fund was established with the goal to raise, in total, one million dollars for the upkeep, care and long-term prosperity of the Co-Cathedral building. He shared,
“Since this is an endowment fund, the gift people give today will continue giving in perpetuity. The interest generated from the fund will provide capital for restoration projects on the building. The way the fund is set up, we can accumulate capital from year to year for more major capital projects. It is our hope that the interest generated from the fund will generate sufficient money to take care of all the needs. The impact on the community is huge. It ensures that this emblematic community building will be taken care of in the future”.
This undertaking by the community is really an opportunity for us to see how our generosity can be multiplied. What we offer from our own pockets, so to speak, can be used far more and in far greater ways than we can imagine. We need only have the willingness to give and the openness to see just how God can take what we give him, and multiply it far beyond our own ability.
Fr. Amédée, former parish priest of Our Lady of Auvergne, who spent nine years within the Gravelbourg area, shared about that significance of the Our Lady of Assumption Co-Cathedral, when it comes to our French-Canadian communities.
“[It] means so much to all the French Canadians in Saskatchewan. This Cathedral church was built in 1919, and the French Diocese of Gravelbourg was erected on January 31, 1930. For the French Canadians, this French Diocese was essential in the promotion of both the French Culture and the Catholic Faith in French…. the Cathedral was and still is a powerful symbol and a great reminder of the contribution of French Canadians to the spread of the Gospel in the Prairies.”
This French-Canadian community, nestled in the prairies, has shown us how to bind together as one and build a community that serves as home to many people, many generations. Those generations that came before us have shown us how to safeguard and care for this space, ensuring it remains standing tall, strong, safe, and beautifully adorned with paintings and murals for generations to come.
Preserving the physical space is vital, but it’s equally important to maintain a closeness to Christ himself. By coming together as a diocesan community to care for the Co-Cathedral, we are drawing near to one another and to Christ himself. In small, subtle ways, we are opening our hearts in generosity and committing to serve the needs of the Church.
As profoundly and simply put by Fr. Amédée, “The church is more the building; it is the people. The strength of a church depends more on the faith and the commitment of people.”
When we give, we affirm our understanding of the importance of community—of gathering together as one body in Christ. We remind ourselves and others that, through our actions, we are not just caring for the present but providing a space for future generations. While we may not always be here to support, encourage, or teach them personally, we can ensure that the community continues to grow, evolve, and welcome new families, even as it bids farewell to others with the passing of time.
As someone with ties to this community, knowing the town, and having loved ones who grew up here and who still call Gravelbourg home today, there were moments during the Gala when, looking around the Cathedral space and seeing three hundred or so people gathered under one roof, listening to the talent of many, the rise and fall of music and songs, I had to steady the flood of emotions and fight back a few tears. There is something deeply moving in seeing people unite for a common cause—seeing hearts stirred, joined together in purpose. It is one of the greatest privileges of my work and one I deeply cherish.
As André also noted, “the most meaningful part of the evening was the fact that people attended the event in large numbers not only from Gravelbourg but also from surrounding communities. It demonstrates the commitment of people to the preservation of this “Jewel on the Prairies.”
If there is something I hope to accomplish by sharing all this with you, it is to spark interest in your heart. The Preservation Fund has raised over $250,000 to date, and that number will continue to grow as people like you continue to give. As André shared in regards to the fundraising efforts so far, countless donors have “made generous donations for the Gala and many generous donations have been received since then. We still have a long way to go to reach our goal of a million dollars, but we are encouraged by the response of people and hope that others will find it within their hearts to give to this most worthy cause”.
I hope that, if you haven’t already, you will witness this space in person. Take time to book a tour, take a weekend visit, and join in a Sunday Mass alongside your brothers and sisters in the faith who call this place home. I promise you won’t regret the time you spend in this most beautiful, unique, and sacred space, which has been a place of faith and refuge for many. It is truly a privilege to have a space as beautiful, vast, and reflective of God’s love and the intricacies of human life and existence as this one.
To learn more about the Co-Cathedral Preservation Fund or to donate to the Preservation fund, click here
To book a tour at the Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral, contact Louis Stringer at (306) 650-8228.
