Uruguay

Uruguay is a country in South America.


My sabbatical program in Uruguay is to study Spanish.  I will be in the capital city of Montevideo, enrolled at Academia Uruguay.  While I certainly don't expect to become fluent in six weeks, I hope to achieve some basic ability to carry on a simple conversation, and to celebrate mass in Spanish. There is a great pastoral need for priests who can minister in Spanish in our Archdiocese.

I will be living at the rectory of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. Philip and St. James in the Ciudad Vieja of Montevideo, located just a few blocks from the school.
It is also close to the Rambla de Montevideo, a 20 kilometer walk along the sea.  That should provide some good space for training for Part 3 of my sabbatical, El Camino de Santiago in Spain.

Besides going to school, studying Spanish, and physical training, I plan to con-celebrate mass daily in Spanish, and learn something about the Church in Latin America:  Archdiocese of Montevideo

Some folks have asked me, "Why Uruguay?"  Many people go to Mexico or Guatemala to study Spanish.  I guess it's because of a variety of factors that all converged and pointed to Uruguay.  First, I had a connection with a priest from Uruguay that I met some years ago.  Then I connected with Estela Manancero, the Director of Latino Ministry in our Archdiocese, who is from Uruguay.  She has been a tremendous help to me in finding a place to live.  Also, I have to say I was encouraged by reports that Uruguay is the only country in Latin America that has achieved quasi-universal access to safe drinking water. Nonetheless, I plan to drink only what is bottled; the wine is also reputed to be of high quality!

Please remember me in your prayers during my time in Uruguay.  You are in mine as well.


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