A church opens its doors to workers every Thursday

Put the church in the middle of the village so that it becomes a community living space again during the week, and a place of reception outside of liturgical moments. This is the ambition of the Thursdays Télévail implemented since October 2024 at the Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot parish in Paris (XVI), on the initiative of Gabriel and Amélie Landete, parents of two children. “All those who want to break the loneliness of telework and take advantage of it to put Christ at the heart of their day are welcome,” said Amélie, a 29 -year -old consultant.

In the premises made available by the parish priest Jacques Ollier, the telework space opens at 8 am with, every other Thursday, a one -hour conference on Christian personal development. Those who wish can also participate in mass celebrated in the church at 12:30 p.m.

Does managing teleworking are the vocation of the church? “Remember the words of Jesus:” I was alone and you visited me. “It is charity in action, which commands these young people to get out of their isolation”, replies Jacques Ollier, who does not hesitate to speak of “evangelization of working methods”.

A form of emulation

Equipped with a Wi-Fi network, a coffee machine and a microwave oven, the four rooms attract a dozen professionals from 25 to 35 years, to whom no contribution is requested. Business leaders, designers, teachers. .. All appreciate the friendly atmosphere, one bringing coffee, the other the croissants. David, heritage manager who was windy by Instagram initiative, does not hesitate to come in RER from Saint-Maur (Val-de-Marne) to “benefit from a working environment because, at home, I let myself be distracted”, he explains.

“Working in a group creates a form of emulation, a source of efficiency”, confirms Gabriel Landete, 30, head of public affairs for a federation of companies. A service all the more essential as, for some, loneliness is lived on a daily basis. Like Clotilde Lacaille, 32, 100% digital project manager at home, not having any office in her business. “In teleworking in a two-piece, we are very alone. So when I heard Amélie announcing this proposal, I told myself that I was going to grasp the pole that the church stretched to me, ”said the young woman.