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Theology
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Testimonials From Our Priest Alumni

From Br. Daniel Glass, during his missionary assignment with the Salesians in Congo, Africa:

“I was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Spanish as a Second Language Program at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST) because it gave personal attention to helping me become a more practical speaker. While the Spanish class program at Seton Hall does a remarkable job teaching the language, having personalized and direct help with practical language use, in a one-on-one setting, helped me progress from Spanish learned in a classroom to Spanish used in settings that I would encounter in daily life. I was able to focus more on personalized vocabulary that would help in ministry and practice with songs, readings and conversations that would benefit me in my life as a Salesian.”

From Fr. Moris Montoya, currently serving as Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Elizabeth, New Jersey:

“I am thankful for everything the program offered me and I am pleased that it is still there for seminarians whose first language is not English. This program was very beneficial from when I began seminary formation in 2013 and until my last year in seminary. It was useful to improve skills and knowledge of the English language. When I reflect on my first years in seminary formation, I remember being afraid to speak in English, oftentimes unable to participate in classroom and other conversations. I was frustrated in the classroom trying to take notes, and I was unable to write correctly. I would try to write a word in English, but then I would write it in Spanish because I could not spell it correctly in English. Attending tutoring sessions helped me to improve in the English language; it was key to be more confident on how to speak, write, and listen, etcetera. I am very grateful for this program. Thank you again to every person who made this possible in my life, and who continue to make it possible for others to have this opportunity at the seminary. God bless you.”

From Fr. John Paul Ginty, currently Parochial Vicar, Director of Religious Education, Local Safe Environment Coordinator, Coordinator for R.C.I.A at Holy Family Parish, Nutley, New Jersey:

“As a native English speaker, the Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) program at ICSST was invaluable. The two instructors who guided me focused on building foundational language skills needed in my future mission as a priest: improving conversational Spanish, and also acquiring the reading and pronunciation skills necessary to say the Mass using Spanish language liturgical books. I remain very grateful to the ICSST SSL program staff and volunteers.”

From Fr. Roy Quesea, currently Vice-Chancellor and Priest Secretary to the Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen (New Jersey):

“Having an ESL tutor was a big help for me personally when I was still studying at ICSST. I became confident both in my writing and in my speaking. But I did not only consider the program helpful in achieving academic excellence, because most importantly, it helped me and still helps me in dealing with and understanding other people wherever I go. I want to thank all the tutors, and in my case, Dr. John Coakley, who are generous of their time and expertise in helping the seminarians, like me, whose English is not our first language." 

From Fr. Diego Navarro, currently serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Catharine’s Church in Glen Rock, New Jersey:

“I am extremely thankful for the ESL program…it was so great to have individual tutors help me in specialized skills such as pronunciation, proclamation, grammar and writing. In fact, most semesters, I requested more than one tutor and this worked so well for me! The tutors were flexible with their time and schedules. I had Mary Jane, Nancy, Jim Barton, Dennis and Sr. Geraldine. Sister had a big impact on me because she told me I needed to change how I proclaimed. I sounded like I was talking to a third grade audience and I had to bring that up to speaking to adults, to make my stories come alive. I am also thankful to the head of the program, Chandler, who was always available for help…she was always so willing and ready to make sure my lesson was covered, even if she did it herself. She was also available to me to ask a quick question or to practice speaking something I wrote.

There is also the relationship I had with my tutors which was close, as friends, not just as teachers. I was happy to have the program director and my tutors visit my parish last fall. It was my way to thank them. I am extremely thankful for the program…when I ask parishioners about my English…they say, 'don’t worry - it’s good!'”

From Fr. Gabriel Perdomo, currently serving on the Pastoral Staff of Corpus Christi Parish in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey:

“One of the best parts I found during the program days was the oral practice for Masses, getting more familiar with the Gospel and all readings, especially the names of people and places in the Bible. I would encourage anyone learning English in the program to continue to concentrate on scripture with your tutors. I used to go to the chapel with mine and they helped me with my readings. One of my tutors was also a seminarian studying at ICSST with me. He is a native-speaker of English and he helped me so much because he knew what was expected. I think you should have students act as volunteer tutors because that is valuable.

I also feel that the Speech-Language Pathology classes with the licensed speech pathologist leader, Kathryn Snogans, helped so much with pronunciation because all of the suggestions were made specifically to each student. We then worked on vowels and consonants that are hard for Spanish speakers because we don’t have them in our language. We also did work on where to put stress in words and sentences.  

One-on-one is better to build confidence and also no embarrassment. I appreciate all help from the program.”

From Fr. Cerilo Javinez, currently serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary in Dover, New Jersey:

“The ESL program at ICSST is something that I can cherish and appreciate so much at the Seminary because it helped me personally and then am able to use it in my parish ministry by being able to articulate and communicate with parishioners, especially during homily, effectively. I believe that it is unfair for the parishioners if they happen to have a priest assigned in the parish and not be understood by many all because of language differences and accents. Thank you to the ESL program at the Seminary, which assisted me tremendously in language skills that I now enjoy and benefit from to this day.”

From Fr. Fernando Diaz Romero, currently serving as Parochial Vicar/Acting Administrator at St. Joseph’s Parish in Bogota, New Jersey:

“English has been a challenge for me and even though I am not perfect now, I feel a lot more confidence with it. The ESL program helped me while I was studying at the seminary and especially now in my ministry here. My parish is composed mostly of native-English speakers. At first saying Mass was a challenge, but now I feel better. I am also gradually making more connections with the parishioners as my English communication skills grow. My confidence helps me when I preach – during my first year, I had to have my paper in front of me but now I do not! I can hear confessions and perform sacraments such as baptism, marriage and funerals. I am grateful for everything that lead me to this and the ESL program at ICSST is one of those.”

From Fr.  Andrew J. De Silva, currently serving as parochial vicar at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Clark, New Jersey:

“I am very excited to recommend the Language Tutorial Program at ICSST. I have seen its benefits among our ESL seminarians and also experienced them myself during two years as I learned Spanish. At ICSST, I was well prepared for a Spanish immersion experience in Bolivia and upon returning, was able to grow in what I learned! I was well prepared for Spanish Ministry this last year in the parish!” 

From Fr. Edmond Ilg, currently parochial vicar in Our Lady of Victories Parish, Harrington Park, New Jersey:

“I met with my Spanish tutor once per week with the goal of reading and pronunciation of Spanish for the Mass. As deacon, I proclaimed the Gospel each week, and this helped me a lot with pronunciation and flow of the wording. I was familiar with the wording of the Gospel in English, so this also helped me learn and understand vocabulary and sentence structure. I am now also able to preside at the Mass in Spanish in my parish. This did not provide me with conversational Spanish, especially with only one session per week; however, this was not my personal goal due to my time restraints, but I was very satisfied with what I could learn in the time provided.”