Bonjour Butte: Friends, families and first-timers looking forward to Paris trip

Right now, there are some Butte residents making a concerted effort to correctly pronounce bonjour, bonsoir, merci, au revoir and a host of other French words as they ready for their trip to Paris.

On Tuesday, 114 Butte residents, the majority being members of Butte Catholic Community North, are bound for “The City of Light.”

Mothers and sons are going. Fathers and daughters are, too. Husbands and wives are Paris-bound, as are siblings and lifelong friends.

Some are seasoned travelers, some are not. For a few, it will be an inaugural trip as they have never crossed the ocean.

Paris is among the world's most popular tourist destinations. Reuters, a global news agency, recently reported 102 million foreign tourists visited the capital of France in 2025, including more than 5 million Americans.

Author Charles Dickens once described Paris as “the most extraordinary place in the world.”

The Butte travelers hope they will view Paris in the same way.

Teri McCarthy’s friend, John Yelenich, convinced her to travel with him.

“I’m nervous and excited at the same time,” said McCarthy.

Yelenich has been to Europe a few times but never to Paris, and he’s excited, too.

His “must-see gems” include Notre Dame and Normandy.

“I have heard so much about them both,” he said.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Susie and Jim Harrington had to cancel their Paris trip two years ago.

“I was so depressed,” said Susie.

Now, the couple is raring to go.

“When Father first announced this trip, I told Jim, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going’,” said Susie.

Jim, a seasoned traveler, was eager as well.

“I have never been to Paris, and I am very excited to go,” he said.

It’s a mother-daughter trip for Mary Jo Stosich and Ali Stosich.

Several months ago, Mary Jo asked her daughter if she would be interested in going on this Paris pilgrimage with her.

“Why wouldn’t we,” said Ali.

Mary Jo, who has never been to Europe, plans to take full advantage. She and Ali are spending an additional week in her ancestral homeland, Ireland.

“This is going to be fun,” said Mary Jo. “I am looking forward to it.”

The trip abroad will also be a first for mother-daughter duo Nancy Schweigert and Jenny Schweigert. Neither has ever traveled outside the U.S.

The Schweigerts said it was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

“I always wanted to go,” said Nancy, “and we have the best tour guide in Father Beretta.”

For Jenny, she’s looking forward to traveling with her mom on this pilgrimage and is eager to see Paris, particularly Notre Dame.

“I’m so glad,” she said.

Sharon O’Brien, Rosalie Burton and Carol Vega have been friends since they were 14. Now in their 80s, the three women are ready, willing and able to take the trip.

“This was on my bucket list,” said O’Brien. “We are so lucky.”

Burton has traveled throughout the U.S. but has never been to Europe.

“Going with friends is a plus,” she said.

Vega, too, is thankful to be traveling with friends.

Talk of the town: Butte to send 114 locals on first-ever Parish Pilgrimage to Paris

Anxious to see Notre Dame, she is looking forward to the pilgrimage.

“How lucky are we,” she said.

Like so many of their fellow travelers, husband and wife Jim and Kate Sheehan are eager to see Notre Dame, too.

The couple also hope to walk around and look at the architectural riches.

Kate also wants to have that “bistro experience” she has read so much about.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying some wine and cheese and just being there,” she said.