Adorer of the Blood of Christ Sr. Dani Brought posed from Pennsylvania for a photo with the seminarians studying in the summer Spanish immersion program at Newman University in Wichita. Sr. Dani instructs them in Catholic Social Teaching – in Spanish and sometimes in person – on Wednesdays at the ASC Motherhouse just south of Newman U. The seminarians from left are Joseph Schones, Kyle Pfeifer, Conrad Sissell, Thomas Elliott, Matthew Ralls, Colby McKee, and Dominic Jirak.

Given the demographics of many parishes in the Diocese of Wichita, a priest who speaks Spanish is almost a necessity.

That is why Bishop Carl A. Kemme and the priests who oversee seminarian formation make sure the newly-ordained priests for the diocese “entienden y hablan español” – understand and speak Spanish.

The Spanish immersion program at Newman University teaches about a semester of Spanish in two months – depending on the initial level of understanding the seminarian has.

Seven seminarians from the Diocese of Wichita, the Diocese of Salina, and a Newman University graduate studying at Sacred Heart Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, began their immersion on June 3 and will emerge on Aug. 1.

“It’s a one-room schoolhouse kind of multi-level experience,” said Sonja Bontrager, assistant professor of Spanish. “They’re not divided up according to their proficiencies. They have different backgrounds. For example, one of the lowest levels has an extensive background in French and so he has a framework to build on.”

Bontrager and Professor Cinthia López teach the men from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday in an Eck Hall classroom at Newman. Lopez, a native of Honduras, also teaches Spanish at St. Jude School and has taught at Wichita State University. Sr. Dani Brought instructs students in Catholic Social Teaching for an hour on Wednesdays via Zoom when she’s not in town. Jennifer Sissell, a middle school Spanish teacher, teaches reading for an hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The men are reading and studying a story about a young fictional Guatemalan man and his reasons for emigrating.

Bontrager added that the seminarians study and discuss daily Gospel readings to learn vocabulary useful as they prepare for ordination.

The Adorers of the Blood of Christ host seminarians for their Zoom classes with Sr. Dani at their motherhouse south of Newman U., where they get to know sisters during post-class lunches.

One seminarian, Matthew Ralls, is a Newman graduate who honed his Spanish during an NU Guatemala Study and Serve program in 2012 which spiritually connected him to his current seminary studies.

Although scheduled to end at noon each day, Bontrager noted that sessions often extend into afternoons due to seminarian enthusiasm.

“I just love the seminarians and Cinthia feels the same way,” she said. “I love that it’s free from some constraints typical class settings might have... They’re so humble; so respectful.”

Discussing daily Gospel readings is among Bontrager's favorite aspects: “The Gospel readings tend to be more vibrant... It’s an exciting way to interact with Scripture's profound meaning.”

Seminarians continue studies off-campus with families hosting them on Monday evenings and Sundays.

“I’m so grateful to these families for offering their support... Their loving welcome creates an openness to learning,” Bontrager said.

Other activities include adoration prayers at local churches such as Cathedral of Immaculate Conception or Our Lady Perpetual Help Church.

Conrad Sissell reflected: "It’s in real-world scenarios… seeing how Hispanics use their language."

Thomas Elliott noted increased confidence: "Encountering people... realizing I can enter into that with them through this language."

Dominic Jirak remarked: "But greatest lesson this summer is having heart especially Hispanic people… you see joy appreciation."