Local churches offer services in Spanish to help bring together faith communitis separated by language

An unfamiliar language can isolate immigrants in the United States, but several churches in Cape Girardeau are working to break down the language barrier.

At least seven places of worship in the area offer opportunities to worship in Spanish.

The Rev. David Hulshof of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church began studying Spanish in response to the growing Hispanic population. He spent six weeks at a language school in Mexico and took Spanish classes in San Antonio. Since December 2006, he has celebrated Mass in Spanish on Sunday afternoons.

St. Vincent de Paul parish has 60 to 70 Hispanic families. Half of the group speaks English, Hulshof said. The majority of the Spanish-speaking parishioners are Mexican, but various countries, including Peru, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Argentina, are represented in the parish.

There is a tradition in the U.S. of immigrants practicing their faith in their native languages, Hulshof said. German and French immigrants often had ministers with them.

The Rev. Saviour Nundwe celebrates Mass in Spanish on Sunday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau.

"It's an opportunity to express one's faith in the language of the heart," Hulshof said.

He said the parishioners who do not speak English are learning "slowly but surely," and he disagrees with those who argue that immigrants should not be provided services in their native languages.

"Some people simply say, 'Well just let them learn English, and then you don't have to do this.' But you know, let's engage them from a faith level," Hulshof said. "Let's be respectful of trying to help them in this faith journey."

Delia Trejo attends the Spanish Mass at St. Vincent de Paul with her husband and their three daughters. She came to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico, 23 years ago and speaks English fluently.

"Even though I speak the language, I like to have [the Mass] in Spanish because it's part of my roots. It's something that I feel in my blood," she said.

Altar servers Emilia Robison, right, and Manuel Aguilar prepare for the Spanish Mass on Sunday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

Associate pastor the Rev. Saviour Nundwe celebrated Mass in Spanish on Sunday, and he said it is an opportunity for Hispanic and non-Hispanic parishioners to connect. The cantors at the Mass included Hispanic parishioners and non-Hispanic parishioners who are learning Spanish. After delivering the homily in Spanish, Nundwe provided a summary in English for the non-Hispanic parishioners in attendance.

Other churches in Cape Girardeau reach out to the Hispanic community without offering a separate service.

"You know, I want the church to be together," said the Rev. William Burke, pastor of First Church of the Nazarene. "So we have simultaneous translation taking place."

Abby Aguirre, who was born in Los Angeles to parents from Mexico, has been translating at the church since 2002. Aguirre, a licensed minister, sits in a booth in the sanctuary and listens to Burke lead the service. She translates into a microphone, and Spanish-speaking members of the congregation listen through headphones.

Barbara Albert is one of about 25 Hispanic people who attend First Church of the Nazarene. She said the non-Hispanic members of the congregation have welcomed her. They make efforts to speak Spanish or they speak English slowly so it is easier to understand, she said.

"We are all equals in this church," Albert said in an interview in Spanish.

First Church of the Nazarene offers other forms of support. Aguirre has taught English classes to members of the congregation and translates at schools and hospitals.

St. Vincent de Paul and other Cape Girardeau churches with Hispanic members provide similar services.

Although these churches serve their members, Hulshof said he thinks the relationship is mutually beneficial. He said there are lessons to be learned from the Hispanic community and cited the dedication of Hispanic parishioners to their families as one example.

"Ministry works both ways," Hulshof said. "Their talents are coming to us as well."

Southeast Missourian intern Aleshia Warner contributed to this story.

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Christ Church of the Heartland

720 Bertling St.

Cape Girardeau, MO

Service in Spanish, 9 a.m. Sunday

Comunidad Hispana Bautista

2935 Lynwood Hills Dr.

Cape Girardeau, MO

Services in Spanish at Lynwood Baptist Church, 7 p.m. Wednesday and 10:45 a.m. Sunday

First Church of the Nazarene of Cape Girardeau

2601 Independence St.

Cape Girardeau, MO

Service in English with simultaneous Spanish translation, 10:45 a.m. Sunday

Iglesia de la Misericordia

833 Broadway, Suite 101 and 110

Cape Girardeau, MO

Service in Spanish, 7 p.m. Saturday

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

1913 Ritter Dr.

Cape Girardeau, MO

Mass in Spanish, 3 p.m. Sunday

The Spanish Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

3075 County Road 620

Cape Girardeau, MO

Services in Spanish at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Sunday