By Tracy Galusha
St. Mary Parish, Sutton
He just needed a ride to the airport.
But for Father Michael Zimmer, opportunities tend to land at his doorstep – or, in this case, a doorstep in Dardilly, France.
There, in the hometown of St. John Marie Vianney, Father Zimmer first met Geoffroy and Ségolène de Tilière. They offered their home, a French dinner, and of course, a ride to catch his flight. For their generosity, he had something to offer in exchange.
After learning the French couple founded FIDEOJOY, the first Catholic youth exchange and au pair network in Europe, the American priest could clearly see it expanding overseas. So, it did.
A short time later, Geoffroy and Ségolène landed in Nebraska to visit Father Zimmer and his flock at St. Mary Parish in Sutton and St. Helena in Grafton, just in time for Fat Tuesday Trivia Night.
During their stay, they toured Catholic high schools in the Lincoln Diocese and met with and received a blessing from Bishop James Conley for FIDEOJOY, which aims to connect Catholic families and young adults in the universal spirit of the Church.
“We have been touched by being so close with people we just met because of sharing the same faith in Christ within our Catholic Church,” Ségolène said. “[You have] such a dynamic and lively diocese!”
Families willing to participate in FIDEOJOY have a strong will to welcome and share their family life with a foreign teenager, as well as give insight into their country and culture. Most importantly, they share the love of Christ by participating in Sunday Mass and Christian activities.
“Catholic education is key to growing good, faithful teenagers and young adults who will be disciples of Christ in their daily lives and missionaries in the Church and in our world,” Ségolène said.
Fifteen-year-old Aimée Duchatelet of Paris, France, became the first teen to stay in the Diocese of Lincoln through FIDEOJOY. Hosted at the home of John and Julie Haag, members of St. Mary Parish in Sutton, Aimée was immersed in their family and parish life.
Attending Totus Tuus summer catechesis, assisting at Kindermusik and participating in Sutton Dugout Days were just a few highlights of her four-week stay in the United States.
FIDEOJOY offers a variety of options to fit the needs of individuals and families. Length of stays can range from two weeks in the summer, to a full school year.
One aspect being developed is a scholarship program to help with travel costs.
“Essentially, if a French family is going to send their child to America, but the American family is not going to send one of their children in the exchange program, the French family would contribute to the scholarship fund in order to encourage and help families with this great opportunity,” Father Zimmer explained.
Hosting a French au pair or “nanny” during the summer is an available option. Young adults in the Lincoln Diocese who have experience working with children can also serve as an au pair in a French family. The possibilities are truly endless.
“We give thanks to God for He is good!” Ségolène said.
Learn more at https://www.stmaryssutton.org/fideojoy
The organization's official website is https://www.fideojoy.com/en/en
Geoffroy and Ségolène de Tilière explain the FIDEOJOY program to Bishop James Conley with Father Michael Zimmer at the Chancery in Lincoln. SNR photos | Natalie Bender
