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Institute for Pastoral Initiatives News

A Faith Journey from Mexico

"Mi trabajo es fabricar muebles de madera." (My job is to make wood furniture.)

Jaime Gutierrez Arreortua enjoys his job as a carpenter in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. He also enjoys logging in to the university’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, en Español.

“I used to take face-to face classes, but I’d have to travel and leave my family,” Jaime said. “The university’s online classes in Spanish allowed me to arrange my own schedule and learn from anywhere.”

Jaime started his online faith journey with classes in Spanish in 2013, completing Introduction to the Bible, a five-week course. He has since completed seven more courses with the VLCFF.

“It is sometimes challenging, as there is repeated internet failure, especially when storms knock out power,” he said. “I grew up in a Catholic family, and there are a majority of Catholics in the state of Oaxaca (see map below), so these courses are valuable.” 

Jaime first learned about the VLCFF online through a parish twinning relationship with St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles, Ohio, and program coordinator Jane Pierron.

“The VLCFF allows participants to receive the knowledge that they need to pass on the faith with confidence,” Pierron said. “Students also interact with others from around the world to let them know they are not alone, and this is what the bishops of Puerto Escondido have expressed as important to them.”

Now, Jaime will pass on the faith using his newfound knowledge. 

“The courses help me understand the rites of the Church and the Bible,” he said. “I am much more educated now for my role in the diocese.”

Jaime shared his story because he says this online education through the University of Dayton’s VLCFF has meant so much to him, personally and spiritually.

“I am so grateful for the VLCFF support,” he said. “I see problems in our communities, and I want to look for solutions and unite people through prayer.”

For more information on Spanish courses or scholarship funding opportunities, contact Liliana Montoya.  See the Spanish course list for the next cycle of learning, starting Oct. 24. For English courses, click here.

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