iAprenda Español! Diocese of New Ulm to host Spanish immersion course

by Mark Kemmeter, Diocesan Coordinator of Staff

The official United States Census Report of the year 2000, indicates that the number of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the sixteen counties that make up the Diocese of New Ulm is substantial and growing. Since nearly all of the immigrants enter the country as Catholics, there is also an increasing need for the diocese to provide ministry and service in an understandable language. The challenge has been to free up pastoral leaders and parish workers to be able to attend the multi-week Spanish immersion courses that are offered in Texas or Mexico. Thanks to a grant and the ingenuity that the diocese is known for, the immersion course is coming to New Ulm.

iAprenda Español! is the name of the five-week long Spanish language and cultural immersion course that will be offered this summer for pastoral leaders and parish workers at the St. Alphonsus Retreat House in New Ulm. Sessions will be conducted Monday mornings through Wednesday afternoons beginning on July 5 and ending on August 4. The design allows for intensive language study without leaving parish ministry or family for an extended period of time.

Two levels of study will be offered. The beginner level is for those who have a minimal knowledge of the language. Program sessions will

help to develop a functional level of speaking, writing, and reading. The intermediate level is designed for those who have previously studied or spoken the language. This level will incorporate more tutorial elements and will help to advance the language skills.

The course is a joint venture of the Diocese of New Ulm and faculty at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Dr. Stewart James-Lejarcegui serves on the faculty of the Spanish department at St. Catherine and will direct the academic program. He will team with Sr. Joanne O’Connor, SSND, visiting professor of Spanish at Western Carolina University, who has impressive credentials as a veteran language teacher. Sister is spending the summer at the nearby Mankato motherhouse.

Besides the study sessions during the days, evening activities will be incorporated to allow for cultural education and pastoral experiences. Spanish language films and documentaries will be viewed. The diocesan summer migrant ministry will offer opportunities to experience catechetical sessions, sacramental preparation, home visitation, and other forms of pastoral ministry. Special sessions will be offered for priests who wish to learn how to celebrate Mass and other sacramental celebrations in Spanish.

iAprenda Español! is made possible by a grant from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Home Missions Committee. Additional funding is provided by the diocesan Continuing Education for Clergy Spanish-Language study fund.