This is a story that deserves to be told because it is a beautiful story!
The church in his village was in poor condition and needed restoration work that was too costly for the municipal finances. The dynamic mayor, Gérard Steppel, came up with a brilliant idea: to reach out to everyone who shares the same first name or surname: the “Marie de France.”
With the support of the Heritage Foundation, which endorsed the initiative and launched the subscription, the idea hit the “jackpot!”
Checks poured in from all over the world: 1,300 donors participated and helped raise nearly €57,000! This was unprecedented for the Heritage Foundation of the Alpes-Maritimes, which also awarded the Commune of Marie the national prize for “Best Digital Mobilization!”
This exemplary mobilization allowed the restoration work to be completed in record time.
And it is in a fully renovated church that Monsignor Marceau, Bishop of Nice, will celebrate a solemn mass this Saturday at 11 AM, marking the inauguration of the restoration work.
