For years, Father Juraj Terek (LCI ’96) dreamed of LCI becoming a gateway for Eastern Catholic priests preparing to serve in missionary dioceses in the USA. Now it is a reality: beginning in September 2017, LCI became the official language and culture training center for the Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey. Four priests and their wives and children came to Gaming, leaving behind their homes, parishes, family and friends in their native Ukraine.
The English language is quite challenging, especially for someone who has never learned a foreign language and who hasn’t been a student in over 15 years. Add in culture-shock, or the mild-to-extreme unease when in an unfamiliar setting, and the difficulty is compounded.
Our four priests have indeed begun learning to speak in English, and for the most part have adjusted to our American way of doing things. Their hard work, good sense of humor, and pastoral hearts responding to the needs of the Church have been a blessing to the whole Kartause community.
On a recent visit to the Kartause, Bishop Kurt expressed his gratitude to LCI and commented on the impressive pronunciation of the priests, who now celebrate the Divine Liturgy in English!