Sacred Heart Family Hosts Exchange Student

Sacred Heart Parish has a new member from Brazil! Parishioner Gary Francque is hosting a Catholic Rotary International Exchange Student in his home and he attends Mass at Sacred Heart.

Rotary International is a worldwide service organization that includes about 1.5 million Rotarians in 38,000 Rotary Clubs in 200 countries. Rotary conducts many programs throughout the world including fighting disease, providing food and fresh water, improving sanitation, supporting the environment, raising literacy levels, and promoting world peace through cultural understanding.

Under the world peace umbrella is Rotary’s flagship youth program Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE). Rotary provides study abroad opportunities for 8,000 to 10,000 high school students each year. The Moline Rotary Club participated in RYE for over 40 years, sponsoring a Moline High School (MHS) student to another country, and hosting a student at MHS from another country. Students spend an entire school year in their host country, attending school, learning the language, and immersing themselves in the culture.

Gary Francque has been a RYE program coordinator since he retired 14 years ago, recruiting MHS students to study abroad, and finding local host families to host foreign students in their homes.

Gary is now hosting 17-year-old Joao Miguel from Brazil in his home. Joao grew up in Catholic Salesian schools in Sorocaba, Brazil. Salesian education combines the elements of church, school, and home in a supportive and caring environment, in accordance with St. John Bosco’s educational philosophy of reason, religion, and loving kindness.

Joao is loving his experience in America, in our community, and at Moline High School where he has pursued many academic and sports opportunities and has developed wonderful friendships with fellow students. Joao ran Cross Country in the Fall and participated in the MHS swim team during winter, earning the Team Spirit Award.

Joao continues to focus on academics and further developing relationships with American friends. Upon completing this school year, Joao embarks on a 14-day tour of the west coast designed for Rotary Exchange Students. Joao concludes his exchange year in America by attending the Central States Rotary Youth Exchange Summer Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he joins about 300 fellow Rotary Exchange Students, parents and Rotarians for a final program commencement event.

Welcome to Sacred Heart Parish Joao!