Rita Dube told the Sun Journal she often talks to a carved image of the blessed Virgin Mary above the stage at the Franco-American Heritage Center.
Today, as Dube retires from her job as executive director of the Center — and on her 70th birthday — we hope Mary whispers a well-deserved “thank you” to the person most closely associated with saving the landmark church from the wrecking ball.
Last year, after millions of dollars in renovations, the center hosted 110 events, ranging from weddings to concerts and a Mardi Gras. In 2012 it hosted a first, a gubernatorial debate.
A small group of dedicated people enlisted Dube’s help in 2000 after the Maine Catholic Diocese found it could no longer afford to maintain the church built by Franco-American immigrants.
Dube worked for two years without pay to get the church-saving organization off the ground.
Dube contacted donors, wrote grant applications and built a long list of contacts.
Soon, contractors were at work converting the sanctuary into a performing-arts space complete with rising seating and a stage.
Today, contractors are still at work on the church’s inspiring stonework, and that work will now continue under the leadership of the new executive director, Louis Morin.
Meanwhile, the community owes a debt of gratitude to Rita Dube for saving a monument to our history while providing us with a valuable performing arts venue.
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