texas remembers
American Friends of the Fondation Saint-Irénée (AFFSI)
A bridge of faith, history, and philanthropy across the Atlantic
Honoring a Historic Legacy.
Building a Shared Future.
For nearly two centuries, the city of Lyon played a decisive role in shaping Catholic life across the United States – and particularly in Texas.
Through the Texas Remembers initiative, this historic relationship is now being renewed and formalized with the creation of the American Friends of the Fondation Saint-Irénée (AFFSI), a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
AFFSI establishes a permanent philanthropic bridge between Texas and Lyon, honoring a shared past while supporting meaningful mission-driven work today.
The living Bridge
In the 19th century, Lyon was one of the world’s most important centers for Catholic missionary formation and financing. From this vibrant city : Clergy were trained, supported, and formally sent to frontier regions overseas.
Essential funding flowed toward emerging communities in the United States.
Missionaries helped establish dioceses, parishes, schools, and hospitals across Texas. Over the century from 1822 to 1922, Lyon-based missionary organizations contributed the equivalent of approximately $7 million to sustain the growth of the Church in the U.S.-support that historians have compared to a 19th-century « Marshall Plan » for the American Church.
A Legacy rooted in texas
One emblematic figure of this history is Jean-Marie Odin, trained at the Seminary
of Saint-Irénée in Lyon.
Sent to Texas, he became the first Bishop of Galveston and played a foundational role
in building :
Dioceses
Parishes
Schools
Charitable and social
institutions across
the state
His legacy extended into healthcare : bishops formed in Lyon invited congregations such as the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, whise missions eventually grew into major institutions-including CHRISTUS Health.
This is the living bridge that Texas Remembers seek to honor, sustain, and renew.
at a glance :
Our partner in lyon :
The Fondation Saint-Irénée
The Fondation Saint-Irénée is the principal philanthropic foundation of the Archdiocese of Lyon – and the sole international partner in Texas Remembers.
For the first time, this historic relationship is being formalized through a permanent U.S. philanthropic structure.
A Recognized and Trusted Foundation
Founded in 2010, the Fondation Saint-Irénée holds the French state’s highest public-benefit designation : Fondation Reconnue d’Utilité Publique.
This status reflects exceptional standards in governance, transparency, and public accountability.
Three Pillars of Work
These pillars carry forward the institutional spirit that journeyed from Lyon to Texas nearly two centuries ago
education
le vrai
unity
le bien
culture & heritage
le beau
The U.S. Structure : American friends of the fondation
saint-irénée (AFFSI)
To steward this partnership responsibly and transparently, Texas Remembers is establishing the American Friends of the Fondation Saint-Irénée, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity.
This proven model allows American donors to support international partners through a clear, compliant, and trusted pathway.
AFFSI provides :
-Full U.S. charitable tax deductibility
-Governance and fiduciary oversight under U.S. nonprofit standards
-English-language communication, stewardship, and reporting
-Alignment with American and Texan philanthropic priorities
-AFFSI is the U.S. philanthropic bridge to the Fondation Saint-Irénée in Lyon
Join us in building the bridge !
Texas Remembers is now in its founding phase.
We are in conversation with individuals, families, and institutions interested in helping establish a permanent philanthropic link between Texas and Lyon-one that honors a shared story and supports impactful work for decades to come
Founding partners will help shape the early vision, priorities, and long-term stewardship of this new American Friends organization.