Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nicholas Emsing, a 4^th year College Seminarian at Bishop Simon Bruté studying for the Diocese of Gary, Indiana. I wanted to share a brief reflection on my summer assignment. At the time of this writing, I am a week from completing a “homegrown” Spanish Immersion. It is not unusual for seminarians to go to Spanish speaking countries for language immersion so that, God-willing, they will be able to minister to the Hispanic population in the United States. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were unable to go this summer. Instead, myself and a fellow seminarian were assigned to Holy Family Parish in LaPorte, Indiana for Spanish Immersion. 

During the week we attended Spanish lessons with a tutor. On weekends, we served at the Spanish masses, attended parish events, assisted at Baptisms, and had dinner with Spanish speaking families. We also got to learn the names and stories of Mexican immigrants here in the U.S. The associate pastor of the parish remarked how humbling the summer was going to be, citing an example of when a five-year-old corrected his Spanish, and he was correct. We were given the opportunity to be among some of the most holy people I have ever met. Besides the Spanish language, the people taught us, through their stories, about the importance of relying solely on God and placing your trust in Him. 

There were many times where we felt in over our heads, but despite the difficulties we endured, and I was able to see the Holy Spirit at work. One time, I was in the sacristy trying to talk to one of the readers and asked him to repeat a word five times before I understood what he meant. After I apologized for not understanding him, he responded, “It’s OK, you are here learning our language to help us, and we are very grateful for that”. Through this and many similar instances, I came to love what we were doing, and hope to have the opportunity to minister to the people of LaPorte, and the broader Hispanic community of the Diocese of Gary again. To those reading this, I ask for your prayers as I complete my final year at Bruté, and I also ask your prayers for the people I was blessed to interact with this summer. ¡Que Dios te bendiga! (God Bless You!)