CWP Spotlight ~ Rebecca Lyne
Meet Rebecca Lyne! Originally from Wisconsin, Rebecca has been living in France for over 20 years. Teaching in Paris-area universities and business schools, Rebecca is an independent contractor and has extended her teaching and training work into the corporate area. She also provides various historical and cultural tours of Paris. Learn more and connect with Rebecca!
Learn more about Rebecca here in our Q&A!
Learn more about Rebecca here in our Q&A!
CWP Q&A ~
What is your name?
Rebecca Lyne
Where do you work/What do you do for work?
Originally from Wisconsin, I have been living in France for over 20 years. Initially, my professional life went into the area of general business in jobs like account management, sales, marketing…
However, I had always wanted to work in education and since 2012, I have been teaching in Paris area universities and business schools. I am an independent contractor, so, I have extended my teaching and training work into the corporate area as well. In addition, I have been giving various historical and cultural tours of Paris for well over ten years now.
Your favorite part of your job?
I think it is the exchanging with very diverse people on a daily basis. I love to discuss issues that are important and interesting, and basically, that is what I do for a living. I am very lucky!
Favorite way to Evangelize at work?
This is a tough question, because I work in higher education primarily, and I’m in France. This creates a two-fold challenge.
Firstly, schools are not the most welcoming of places for people of faith these days. It can feel that way. However, I do believe in academic freedom and that the classroom should be a place for intellectual exchange and diverse ideas. At the same time, we live in a hyper-sensitive world and the mere utterance of a different idea can be “triggering” for some.
The other issue is that in France there is a concept known as “la laïcité “. This is akin to the American concept of secularism, yet, very different. In the French mindset of “la laïcité” your faith is something you are generally supposed to ‘leave at the door’. At least, that is how many people interpret it. For instance, if I worked at a government office of some kind, wearing a cross that was very visible would be prohibited in France, as would other outward religious attire of any faith tradition. Amazing when you remember that France has been called “the oldest daughter of the Church”. I don’t work for a government institution, so, thus far, wearing a cross has not been an issue officially, but some believe it is inappropriate.
So, how do I evangelize at work? First, with students, I try very hard to make a place for all opinions in the classroom. I want everyone to feel comfortable expressing their views. I think that if an instructor makes it clear that the classroom is a safe place for open discussions, then I generally find that those students who tend to be more reticent to speak their more traditional beliefs and values come forward, and they often express very Catholic ideas, perhaps without even making the connection to the origins of them. Those students who have a tendency to more easily vocalize their opinions, often more worldly ones, hear something new.
Secondly, I have been making an effort to make it known to people with whom I work that I am Catholic. This may be in casual conversations with colleagues on current events, wearing a cross, or in more formal discussions with administrators. Some issues have arisen in the recent past where I have had to make it clear that there are things I simply will not do despite popular trends.
Favorite Hobbies?
I absolutely love antiquing and visiting flea markets! I am determined to find that lost Renoir or Monet somewhere! I have also organized a leisure walking and hiking group via the Meetup network for many years and that has been great fun. Next time you are in Paris, join us! Just walking in Paris and stopping for a coffee is a great pleasure. Finally, I am trying to learn to be a better cook.
And I can’t forget to say that in Paris and environs the churches are magnificent! One of my favorite things to do is simply wander into a neighbourhood church anywhere in the city as I am out and about. Their beauty is astounding and having the chance to just go in, sit down, have a quick prayer, light a candle…, it’s a great source of renewal on hectic days.
Favorite Saint or Faith Activity
I start my day with about 15 minutes of prayer. I have also made a commitment to say the Rosary every day since January 1st of this year. Mass on Sunday, of course.
I have several favourite saints. There are so many one could cite, but I think Our Lady is number 1 for me. She has been an enormous comfort to me since the death of my mom a few years ago. I also love Saint James for his evangelization and walked a portion of his Camino some years ago. And I love and admire Saint Peter for his strength and his ability to discern and speak the truth.
Rebecca Lyne
Where do you work/What do you do for work?
Originally from Wisconsin, I have been living in France for over 20 years. Initially, my professional life went into the area of general business in jobs like account management, sales, marketing…
However, I had always wanted to work in education and since 2012, I have been teaching in Paris area universities and business schools. I am an independent contractor, so, I have extended my teaching and training work into the corporate area as well. In addition, I have been giving various historical and cultural tours of Paris for well over ten years now.
Your favorite part of your job?
I think it is the exchanging with very diverse people on a daily basis. I love to discuss issues that are important and interesting, and basically, that is what I do for a living. I am very lucky!
Favorite way to Evangelize at work?
This is a tough question, because I work in higher education primarily, and I’m in France. This creates a two-fold challenge.
Firstly, schools are not the most welcoming of places for people of faith these days. It can feel that way. However, I do believe in academic freedom and that the classroom should be a place for intellectual exchange and diverse ideas. At the same time, we live in a hyper-sensitive world and the mere utterance of a different idea can be “triggering” for some.
The other issue is that in France there is a concept known as “la laïcité “. This is akin to the American concept of secularism, yet, very different. In the French mindset of “la laïcité” your faith is something you are generally supposed to ‘leave at the door’. At least, that is how many people interpret it. For instance, if I worked at a government office of some kind, wearing a cross that was very visible would be prohibited in France, as would other outward religious attire of any faith tradition. Amazing when you remember that France has been called “the oldest daughter of the Church”. I don’t work for a government institution, so, thus far, wearing a cross has not been an issue officially, but some believe it is inappropriate.
So, how do I evangelize at work? First, with students, I try very hard to make a place for all opinions in the classroom. I want everyone to feel comfortable expressing their views. I think that if an instructor makes it clear that the classroom is a safe place for open discussions, then I generally find that those students who tend to be more reticent to speak their more traditional beliefs and values come forward, and they often express very Catholic ideas, perhaps without even making the connection to the origins of them. Those students who have a tendency to more easily vocalize their opinions, often more worldly ones, hear something new.
Secondly, I have been making an effort to make it known to people with whom I work that I am Catholic. This may be in casual conversations with colleagues on current events, wearing a cross, or in more formal discussions with administrators. Some issues have arisen in the recent past where I have had to make it clear that there are things I simply will not do despite popular trends.
Favorite Hobbies?
I absolutely love antiquing and visiting flea markets! I am determined to find that lost Renoir or Monet somewhere! I have also organized a leisure walking and hiking group via the Meetup network for many years and that has been great fun. Next time you are in Paris, join us! Just walking in Paris and stopping for a coffee is a great pleasure. Finally, I am trying to learn to be a better cook.
And I can’t forget to say that in Paris and environs the churches are magnificent! One of my favorite things to do is simply wander into a neighbourhood church anywhere in the city as I am out and about. Their beauty is astounding and having the chance to just go in, sit down, have a quick prayer, light a candle…, it’s a great source of renewal on hectic days.
Favorite Saint or Faith Activity
I start my day with about 15 minutes of prayer. I have also made a commitment to say the Rosary every day since January 1st of this year. Mass on Sunday, of course.
I have several favourite saints. There are so many one could cite, but I think Our Lady is number 1 for me. She has been an enormous comfort to me since the death of my mom a few years ago. I also love Saint James for his evangelization and walked a portion of his Camino some years ago. And I love and admire Saint Peter for his strength and his ability to discern and speak the truth.
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