By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Participants in SEPI's Immersion in Spanish Language and Culture program pose in a courtyard of the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami.
MIAMI | People who hail from India, the Philippines, South Carolina and even Miami took part this year in the Immersion in Spanish Language and Culture program offered annually by SEPI, the educational branch of the U.S. Bishops Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic Ministry.
“This course has a pastoral component that makes it unique, since it was conceived specifically for that purpose,” said Lydia Hoyo, who coordinates promotion, communication and development at SEPI, the Southeast Pastoral Institute. “For three weeks, priests, religious, deacons and lay people commit themselves to living a total immersion in order to serve Hispanics in their various dioceses and through their various ministries.”
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Participants in SEPI's Immersion in Spanish Language and Culture program celebrate Mass with Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, center, rector at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami.
An important component of the program is that participants learn to celebrate the Eucharist in Spanish; participate in the readings of the day; and even prepare their homilies with the support of SEPI’s professors and volunteers.
The person in charge of the program is Juan Jose Rodriguez, coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Southeast Regional Office. He directs the intensive three-week course with help from Hoyo and the rest of the SEPI team and volunteers.
Participants in the course listen to presentations on cultural topics, including: “Popular Religiosity” by Rogelio Zelada; another by Father Juan Sosa on “What is culture?”; “History and culture of Mexican-Americans” by Minnie Garcia; “Nicaragua, important dates” by Renaldi Gutierrez; “Puerto Ricans, their story and culture” and “Cuba since 1952” by Rodriguez.
They also take part in a “Musical afternoon” with Hoyo, a musical voyage through Latin America and the Caribbean that also features an exhibit of crafts, folkloric dresses and relevant information about the rich and diverse Hispanic culture.
Mornings are dedicated to Spanish grammar, using a “psycho-generative system” that was designed especially for this program. In the afternoon, participants break into small groups for lessons on vocabulary and conversation. They also become familiar with the most important documents related to the process of Hispanic ministry in the U.S.
“The visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, where they celebrated Mass with Father Juan Rumin Dominguez, rector of the shrine, was certainly one of the most special moments for our students,” said Hoyo.
She added that these and many other components of the program make it a very useful tool for participants.
“They come to serve and learn and they leave a legacy of dedication and good will that touches us deeply,” Hoyo said. “We build bridges of fraternity among our cultures and we all grow through inculturation, enriching ourselves through our diversity, while rediscovering each day the beautiful reality that we all are one in Him.”
