WEBVTT 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:07.700 Let's just start. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:10.260 Natalie, it's good to have you with us. 00:00:11.040 --> 00:00:12.020 Oh, thank you. 00:00:12.875 --> 00:00:18.975 You know, it's as I said before, it's always great to hear from the people that are involved in the program. 00:00:19.355 --> 00:00:22.575 I, myself, never took this program. 00:00:22.715 --> 00:00:23.115 Right? 00:00:23.115 --> 00:00:28.655 I've always just been kind of involved in the the directing and the the creating of it. 00:00:29.220 --> 00:00:32.360 So it's good to hear you. 00:00:32.900 --> 00:00:34.740 My name is Maria Brackett. 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:41.800 I'm the director the current director of the spiritual, direction certificate here at Divine Mercy University. 00:00:42.915 --> 00:00:49.335 I have the joy to get to know these students and kind of walk with them as they go through the program. 00:00:51.635 --> 00:00:53.715 And and it is a joy. 00:00:53.715 --> 00:00:54.695 It is a joy. 00:00:55.240 --> 00:01:02.600 Just when you think that you've met every type of person and the way that God works, with them, you find someone else, and it's always a surprise. 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:11.505 So, Neli, why don't you tell us just a little bit about yourself kind of as an intro so that people can get to know you a little bit better? 00:01:12.125 --> 00:01:12.525 Alright. 00:01:12.525 --> 00:01:13.645 Well, thank you, Maria. 00:01:13.645 --> 00:01:14.705 I'd be happy to. 00:01:15.165 --> 00:01:16.545 My name is Natalie Jackson. 00:01:17.245 --> 00:01:20.705 I live in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. 00:01:21.085 --> 00:01:28.800 Born and raised in an airport family, so lived all over The US, but settled down in this area with my husband and daughter about twelve years ago. 00:01:29.580 --> 00:01:34.480 I'm a Dame in the order of Malta, which is a lay religious order of the Catholic church. 00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:40.875 And, I'm a professional spiritual director, graduate of Divine Mercy University's program. 00:01:41.815 --> 00:01:50.715 And also as Maria was saying, I I have the privilege of continuing to work with DMU as a faculty member for our residencies. 00:01:51.415 --> 00:01:56.390 And I'll do a little bit of project work on the side in the secular realm. 00:01:57.170 --> 00:02:09.590 My husband and I are cofounders of what's called the Eramos group named after the Mount Of The Beatitudes, and we offer spiritual direction, but also, leadership, faith based leadership, coaching. 00:02:11.135 --> 00:02:12.015 Great, Natalie. 00:02:12.015 --> 00:02:18.195 And I hope that you can explain that a little bit further on, you know, just kind of, like, where the program led you to. 00:02:18.415 --> 00:02:18.895 Natalie. 00:02:18.895 --> 00:02:20.755 Let's, let's just get started. 00:02:21.135 --> 00:02:21.635 Okay. 00:02:22.495 --> 00:02:27.370 So what was your experience in the certificate, Natalie, just in general? 00:02:28.710 --> 00:02:28.950 The work. 00:02:29.110 --> 00:02:31.610 But let's start off with the general question. 00:02:31.990 --> 00:02:33.050 General's good. 00:02:34.550 --> 00:02:36.790 Board's massive blessing come to mind. 00:02:36.790 --> 00:02:42.175 It, my experiences was just blessed from the beginning to the end of the program. 00:02:44.475 --> 00:02:55.520 Within the program, I really gained the profound awareness, just like Saint John the Baptist that I must decrease so that the Lord can increase, And that was very profound for me. 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:06.400 In fact, that concept took me, into my first residency where my very first practice session with a holy priest. 00:03:07.275 --> 00:03:16.315 I had a profound experience where I really truly felt like I needed to decrease so the Lord could increase, and that's really kind of what spiritual direction is all about. 00:03:16.315 --> 00:03:26.830 So, it was very transformational for me personally, and just, like like I said, massive blessing. 00:03:28.330 --> 00:03:32.330 So how did you know were you thinking about becoming a spiritual director? 00:03:32.330 --> 00:03:38.025 What do you you know, kinda how did that come about, and then what drew you to this program in particular? 00:03:39.125 --> 00:03:39.785 Oh, sure. 00:03:40.165 --> 00:03:47.220 I had a long journey, and we we can only know, sometimes how that journey plays out when we look back. 00:03:47.220 --> 00:03:50.040 But my journey started actually over twenty years ago. 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:54.280 I was in the military, and I was deployed after nine eleven. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:59.800 I was thinking at the time about going for a master's in leadership, but I got deployed. 00:04:00.975 --> 00:04:12.275 And, one of my roles in the military was to, sit with people and kind of dig in a little bit and and help them navigate whatever they needed to navigate. 00:04:13.010 --> 00:04:22.390 So I met someone in the desert when I was deployed whose mother actually I have now come to understand with a spiritual director, and that planted the seed on my heart. 00:04:22.690 --> 00:04:24.790 So I actually came back from the desert. 00:04:24.850 --> 00:04:35.535 I changed my major to a master's in community counseling, pursued that, and then just used that in various ways over the years. 00:04:35.595 --> 00:04:46.060 But, ended up working at a Catholic church in South Carolina in professional ministry, and that was where that seed seed started germinating, I think. 00:04:46.440 --> 00:04:56.220 And as I was transitioning from that parish during, the pandemic, our our priest was talking about how the Catholic church needs good spiritual directors. 00:04:57.045 --> 00:05:01.605 And so that placed that on my heart, and I prayed about it, talked to my priest about it. 00:05:01.605 --> 00:05:03.205 Father, should I look into this? 00:05:03.205 --> 00:05:06.505 I just I love to walk and journey with people in their faith. 00:05:06.885 --> 00:05:11.545 And the Lord brought me, to a a more serious discernment of programs. 00:05:12.370 --> 00:05:15.990 So and and I started, of course, like most people do on the Internet. 00:05:16.370 --> 00:05:17.330 What are the programs? 00:05:17.330 --> 00:05:18.470 What are they all about? 00:05:18.770 --> 00:05:26.710 And, Divine Mercy really stuck out to me because it's, amazing marriage of the human sciences and theology. 00:05:27.225 --> 00:05:32.125 It just it was it was everything I thought that, it it should be. 00:05:32.345 --> 00:05:38.445 So, of course, I asked my priest, to help me in that discernment process, and he had just such high regard for the university. 00:05:39.385 --> 00:05:42.700 And so that and the more and more I looked into it, I'm like, this is the one. 00:05:42.700 --> 00:05:43.260 This is the one. 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:48.960 It just it felt right to me, and the Lord led me to that after a lot of prayer and discernment. 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:56.320 So, again, I think that, I felt the program was very solid. 00:05:57.065 --> 00:06:03.625 I felt like the faith, reason, and action of the program were, were appropriate. 00:06:03.625 --> 00:06:05.805 It brought me back to John Paul the second. 00:06:06.185 --> 00:06:13.050 He was talking about faith and reason, those two wings on the bird and how that bird's not gonna fly that action without both. 00:06:13.510 --> 00:06:21.370 And so that really just came through for me in the program and, joyfully, was able to, participate in the program. 00:06:22.245 --> 00:06:27.625 Also, I thought it was really cool that, there were clinicians that were also spiritual directors. 00:06:28.085 --> 00:06:34.345 And so, I felt like the students had an added bonus that some of their instructors were were also, clinicians. 00:06:34.565 --> 00:06:42.740 So that just, when it came to the skills and the techniques that we got to practice, that made it, just feel like a cut above the rest. 00:06:44.320 --> 00:06:44.820 Yeah. 00:06:44.880 --> 00:06:46.340 That that's so true. 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:55.185 You know, since Divine Mercy University is a graduate school, primarily, it was a graduate school created for the, human sciences, mental health professionals. 00:06:55.245 --> 00:06:55.745 Right? 00:06:56.045 --> 00:07:13.030 And really, but as a Catholic graduate school has always wanted to see how to take, you know, kind of what what's core of the university is the understanding of the human person that they worked on for ever since, it began. 00:07:13.570 --> 00:07:25.165 So they've always had in mind first, to bring it to the mental health field, but then to bring it to other fields, because, basically, it's a synthesis of the Catholic Christian understanding of the human person. 00:07:25.165 --> 00:07:25.665 Right? 00:07:26.925 --> 00:07:31.245 What they call at the university, the meta model, but it's kind of just like the big picture. 00:07:31.245 --> 00:07:31.745 Right? 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:38.420 And so the spiritual objection certificate was built on that framework or within that no. 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:40.440 Within that framework, on that foundation. 00:07:41.220 --> 00:07:50.955 And, and like like you were saying, Natalie, like, because, you know, Thomas Aquinas says grace perfects nature. 00:07:50.955 --> 00:07:51.455 Right? 00:07:51.675 --> 00:07:54.575 Or grace, fulfills, you know, completes. 00:07:54.795 --> 00:07:55.295 Right? 00:07:55.595 --> 00:08:00.395 So the nature that human nature, it's important as a spiritual director to understand it. 00:08:00.395 --> 00:08:05.340 So that's what we try to do at the university is weave together an understanding of that. 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:10.140 Who is a human person and how do they flourish and how are they healthy? 00:08:10.140 --> 00:08:13.820 And then as a spiritual director, what are you trying to help them do? 00:08:13.820 --> 00:08:19.635 That's why I love this little tagline of our program, helping others flourish in their relationship with the Lord. 00:08:19.875 --> 00:08:20.375 Right? 00:08:20.515 --> 00:08:27.495 Because mental health professionals help people flourish in other relationships, and in their own emotional world. 00:08:27.635 --> 00:08:35.175 But really, the spiritual director is someone that walks along with someone, helps them to grow and really flourish in that relationship with the Lord. 00:08:35.770 --> 00:08:36.270 Yes. 00:08:37.450 --> 00:08:48.410 So, so well, we'll talk a little bit later about how you, you know, how you thought about using your training and how you've used it. 00:08:48.410 --> 00:08:48.910 Right? 00:08:50.345 --> 00:08:54.925 And maybe you already touched upon this, but what did you find most helpful about the program? 00:08:56.265 --> 00:08:57.645 What did I find most helpful? 00:08:58.905 --> 00:09:00.025 There were many things. 00:09:00.345 --> 00:09:12.430 One, one thing is I I really found it helpful that the curriculum was a blend of contemporary writing as well as the classic writing of our our our church, our saints. 00:09:12.490 --> 00:09:18.670 And so it was that blend of the two, which made it, you know, the church is ever ancient, ever new. 00:09:18.795 --> 00:09:23.855 And I felt like the program really captured that, and I found that personally very helpful. 00:09:24.955 --> 00:09:31.215 I also found it helpful, to just have incredibly accessible instructors. 00:09:32.190 --> 00:09:50.645 So our our instructors for the courses were were so passionate about spiritual direction, about our Lord, about DMU, that it really showed, you know, anytime I was going for extra support on a particular topic or or wanted to expand in some way or area. 00:09:50.945 --> 00:09:58.565 So the accessibility of instructors, really kind of, flowed over to the students as well. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:02.560 So what was very helpful to me is that really from the beginning, it was a community. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:10.960 And so I'm growing in that self awareness and all that interior work that has to happen in in a person who's pursuing spiritual direction. 00:10:12.015 --> 00:10:15.715 It made it a lot easier with that that support of the community. 00:10:15.775 --> 00:10:17.555 So I found that to be very helpful. 00:10:18.975 --> 00:10:32.700 And, also, I I found it to be very helpful that the program was very progressive in the sense that you really start you start getting to know yourself and the Lord first, and you're doing that interior work and really discovering. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:38.540 And and that makes you a more compassionate, spiritual director. 00:10:39.400 --> 00:10:43.775 As you you do that interior work, you start branching out to others. 00:10:43.915 --> 00:10:48.335 And and, so it's very it's a very holistic program. 00:10:48.955 --> 00:10:54.990 So I I thought that was helpful to start out with that, interior your work and move outward from there. 00:10:55.290 --> 00:10:55.790 Mhmm. 00:10:56.650 --> 00:10:59.870 Well, there's a lot of different topics that you touched upon there. 00:11:01.850 --> 00:11:09.855 But, yeah, it definitely speaks to just kind of how we kinda created the program, trying to really do it in a very thoughtful way. 00:11:09.855 --> 00:11:13.075 We took about a year and a half to create it. 00:11:13.215 --> 00:11:18.060 And it's funny that you talk about how accessible the teachers are because it's basically an online program. 00:11:18.380 --> 00:11:18.860 Right? 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:23.360 And you do come to the and have those two residencies here in Virginia. 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:26.140 We can speak about those a little bit later. 00:11:26.140 --> 00:11:36.085 But, the instructors are really, you know, coming to you and interacting to you on an online platform, yet you felt them present, which is great. 00:11:36.085 --> 00:11:37.305 I love hearing that. 00:11:38.165 --> 00:11:38.565 Yep. 00:11:38.565 --> 00:11:38.965 Absolutely. 00:11:38.965 --> 00:11:40.565 You I think you said it very well. 00:11:40.565 --> 00:11:43.465 Like, you wouldn't think it would be that way, but it it so was. 00:11:43.845 --> 00:11:51.190 And so, you know, we had one of my instructors was, in Spain, and I needed to speak with her about something. 00:11:51.410 --> 00:11:52.610 We set up a Zoom meeting. 00:11:52.610 --> 00:11:53.430 We talked. 00:11:54.690 --> 00:11:58.790 Anything that was needed, I was able to reach instructors really well and felt very supported. 00:11:58.930 --> 00:12:05.165 And so when we did the in person residencies, it it really was just cool to see everybody in three d. 00:12:05.165 --> 00:12:12.625 Otherwise, I already had that community feel, and that's I felt very bonded to the university because of the human interaction. 00:12:13.245 --> 00:12:20.430 So I think the university does a great job of bridging the gap between being there in person and and the virtual world. 00:12:22.010 --> 00:12:22.890 And it's so funny. 00:12:22.890 --> 00:12:27.630 So this just leads me into the question about, like, the bonding with the other people in your cohort. 00:12:28.010 --> 00:12:31.630 What was that like on an online platform and things like that? 00:12:33.535 --> 00:12:34.595 It was amazing. 00:12:35.935 --> 00:13:03.365 The the beautiful people that were in my cohort and which I've witnessed now as an on the faculty side also just watching the students, the the people that God draws to the program just they become, close very quickly because you're you're learning how to be vulnerable, and you're learning learning about the importance of vulnerability with the Lord and and building that rapport so you can be vulnerable with a spiritual director. 00:13:04.305 --> 00:13:11.685 And so, my cohort and I became like a family, and, you know, we had our first residency. 00:13:12.385 --> 00:13:22.390 If everybody's familiar with WhatsApp, we all put ourselves on the WhatsApp platform, and it became this, virtual community. 00:13:22.390 --> 00:13:24.170 We will work together physically. 00:13:24.870 --> 00:13:29.370 And, to this day, you know, I've graduated from the program last year. 00:13:30.710 --> 00:13:49.990 We are we are in touch with each other weekly, helping each other to maybe do peer supervision now that we're out working as spiritual directors or supporting each other by helping, alert each other to ongoing information opportunities, just you name it. 00:13:49.990 --> 00:14:00.870 And so, we became like a family, and and and we're journeying together in this ministry that the Lord has called us to, and we're in mutual support of each other. 00:14:00.870 --> 00:14:08.895 And it all started online practicing with each other, our triads, then, you know, meeting each other and bonding that the residencies. 00:14:09.515 --> 00:14:13.435 And then just really that journey continued on. 00:14:13.435 --> 00:14:22.580 So, honestly, that's one of my most favorite parts of the whole experience was the students and the family that formed, in our cohort. 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:24.160 Yeah. 00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:24.880 And that's great. 00:14:24.880 --> 00:14:35.705 Now as a spiritual director that you have those peers and that support that are, you know, a group, a community that's kinda spread all all all the way through The United States and maybe even Canada. 00:14:35.765 --> 00:14:36.265 Right? 00:14:36.645 --> 00:14:37.145 Right. 00:14:37.765 --> 00:14:39.605 Depending on who was in your cohort. 00:14:39.605 --> 00:14:46.760 But, yeah, it's just a it's a beautiful support, right, to have and as you go out. 00:14:46.900 --> 00:14:53.240 So what's something that you discovered through the certificate about spiritual direction that maybe you didn't know before? 00:14:55.165 --> 00:14:57.025 Well, I had a background in counseling. 00:14:58.045 --> 00:15:03.265 So I came into it kind of with a little bit of that, you know, within me. 00:15:04.525 --> 00:15:07.425 And, you know, yes, obviously, built on some of those techniques. 00:15:08.310 --> 00:15:22.010 But what I think what really so, I guess, I discovered was how much, we're invited as spiritual directors to surrender to the movements of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:23.935 --> 00:15:28.195 And so this the holy spirit is the real spiritual director. 00:15:29.535 --> 00:15:44.680 So, what I discovered is there is this very beautiful internal prayerful dance that happens with the holy spirit as as you you kind of like I was saying earlier, decrease so that he can increase. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:54.225 And so I discovered, what that was like, and I don't think you would I would have initially known what that was like going into the program. 00:15:55.005 --> 00:15:57.265 So that was really cool. 00:15:57.805 --> 00:15:59.825 Something you have to experience, I would think. 00:16:00.125 --> 00:16:00.625 Yes. 00:16:00.845 --> 00:16:01.345 Yes. 00:16:02.925 --> 00:16:06.560 Now what was the most difficult for you? 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:12.640 Whether it's something like logistically or, you know, maybe in the content or or whatever. 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:17.280 Was it you know, what could you say was the most difficult or challenging for you in the program? 00:16:20.745 --> 00:16:25.485 I know this will sound funny, but, not being able to study more. 00:16:27.785 --> 00:16:38.490 So for for me, it was so enjoyable that, you know, there are other responsibilities of life. 00:16:38.950 --> 00:16:40.150 Sometimes it's like, oh, man. 00:16:40.150 --> 00:16:41.030 I have to do that. 00:16:41.030 --> 00:16:43.110 I'd rather kinda stay here and study more. 00:16:43.110 --> 00:16:49.545 And I think that's, because, truly, I just feel blessed to have that placed on my heart by the Lord. 00:16:49.685 --> 00:16:54.645 But I think also just the the seriousness of what spiritual direction is. 00:16:54.645 --> 00:16:59.145 I mean, this is you were a servant of prayer as a spiritual director. 00:16:59.765 --> 00:17:09.960 You are getting to journey with someone, as they they try to connect with the Lord, and those topics vary from very positive to very difficult. 00:17:10.580 --> 00:17:17.860 And so, the I don't wanna say the gravity, but the importance of really learning what I'm supposed to learn. 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:25.965 It It was difficult for me to feel like I had enough time, but, but I think that's, also just a matter of faith too. 00:17:25.965 --> 00:17:29.185 So the program gives you, plenty of time. 00:17:30.845 --> 00:17:36.930 But I think that probably the hardest thing for me is I would I would have devoted even more time to my studies. 00:17:37.350 --> 00:17:37.850 Mhmm. 00:17:38.270 --> 00:17:38.590 Yeah. 00:17:38.590 --> 00:17:40.030 So let's talk a little let me see. 00:17:40.030 --> 00:17:46.670 I think I might have a slide about this, about, when we talk you know, just some things. 00:17:46.670 --> 00:17:56.285 But, the way that the course works, right, it's an online, and there's six courses to the certificate and two residencies. 00:17:57.065 --> 00:17:59.405 And the two residencies are actually part. 00:17:59.625 --> 00:18:05.490 Like, one residency is at the end of the third course, and the other residency is at the beginning of the fifth course. 00:18:05.490 --> 00:18:05.990 Right? 00:18:06.210 --> 00:18:15.430 And then you've got the 60 practicum hours, which are, you know, seeing people in spiritual direction and receiving supervision, within the courses themselves. 00:18:17.415 --> 00:18:21.815 So the timing when you talked about the timing well, there's the residency slide. 00:18:21.815 --> 00:18:29.835 Let me get but when you talked about the timing, it just reminded me, you know, basically, you're going through three courses a year. 00:18:30.375 --> 00:18:30.875 Right? 00:18:31.610 --> 00:18:38.750 So you do I don't know if people understand when you say, like, the timing that there's a good space between each course. 00:18:38.970 --> 00:18:39.290 Right? 00:18:39.290 --> 00:18:41.870 Did that did you find that that was helpful for you? 00:18:43.290 --> 00:18:49.435 It was helpful for me, actually, because then, you know, I went through the course and went through the material. 00:18:50.055 --> 00:18:54.155 But then in those breaks, I was able able to deepen in the material. 00:18:54.935 --> 00:19:05.690 And so I did find that to be very good because there's so much depth within each course, and you just wanna soak it in as much as you can. 00:19:05.990 --> 00:19:09.850 So, yes, the spacing of the courses helped with that. 00:19:12.375 --> 00:19:14.695 Again, I think my enthusiasm is in there too. 00:19:14.695 --> 00:19:16.775 But, yes, you you do bring up a good point. 00:19:16.775 --> 00:19:19.435 We did did have some time to deepen between courses. 00:19:20.375 --> 00:19:20.615 Yeah. 00:19:20.615 --> 00:19:28.940 There's usually about, eight to ten weeks between courses, except when you're talking about the summer term and then going into the fall. 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:30.560 I think there there's only four. 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:46.175 But, yeah, there was a lot of intentionality for us when we created the courses, the certificate to have that spacing, because people have you know, all of our students do what I say a full time other thing with their life. 00:19:46.635 --> 00:19:59.130 And, also but, also, because we feel like if this is a ministry that the lord is calling you to, you have to move kind of at the lord's pace into that into this. 00:19:59.130 --> 00:20:06.110 And you kind of have to let things sit and pray on them and to see where the lord is taking you. 00:20:06.330 --> 00:20:18.005 You know, I think part of being a spiritual director and actually practicing the ministry really does ask of you to have kind of a contemplative rhythm to your life. 00:20:19.185 --> 00:20:32.490 And I I like to think that this that this way of us kind of setting out the courses with that space allows for people to kind of slow down and get a more contemplative rhythm. 00:20:32.790 --> 00:20:45.385 I know as I, as a spiritual director, I'm always, you know, besides having my time of daily prayer and connecting with the Lord, you know, bringing my directees to prayer, praying for them. 00:20:45.685 --> 00:20:46.185 Mhmm. 00:20:47.045 --> 00:20:49.225 Anything you wanna add about that, Natalie? 00:20:49.780 --> 00:20:50.100 No. 00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:50.500 No. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:54.600 Just completely agreeing with you, about that rhythm. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.640 Mhmm. 00:20:56.900 --> 00:21:05.075 So let's talk a little bit about the residencies, because, you know, that's a special element in the course. 00:21:06.175 --> 00:21:18.200 And, and there's two of them, and they come, as I said before, in the end of the fir of the third course and then at the beginning of the fifth course. 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:25.980 So, basically, you're doing one a year, when you're going through the program. 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:33.655 Now these residencies, you know, you come here to Sterling, Virginia. 00:21:33.655 --> 00:21:37.435 You arrive on a Wednesday evening, and you leave Sunday lunch. 00:21:38.055 --> 00:21:39.835 They definitely are intense. 00:21:41.770 --> 00:21:50.270 That we do have a retreat on Saturday morning, which helps you to kind of just bring maybe little things that you've been feeling or experiencing to the Lord. 00:21:50.730 --> 00:21:54.190 But what were these experiences like for you, Natalie? 00:21:56.235 --> 00:22:00.015 Well, the first residency, I came in a little nervous. 00:22:01.355 --> 00:22:01.835 You know? 00:22:01.835 --> 00:22:02.335 Normal. 00:22:02.795 --> 00:22:03.295 Mhmm. 00:22:03.755 --> 00:22:05.675 It was in three d this time. 00:22:05.675 --> 00:22:06.335 You know? 00:22:06.795 --> 00:22:17.920 And what was beautiful, though, is, again, both the staff and the students just it's just a loving environment to be in. 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:20.140 So incredibly charitable environment. 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:30.235 So anyone that's nervous, you know, that starts to ease after you get into it, and you really start practicing fairly early on in your groups. 00:22:31.095 --> 00:22:36.540 And, what I experienced was a lot of support. 00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:47.760 So, when you're practicing, what are called vignettes, you have also faculty members with you as well as some students. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:50.715 And you have the opportunity to be coached. 00:22:50.955 --> 00:23:00.175 You have the opportunity to hear constructive feedback and and always consistently in a very charitable and helpful manner. 00:23:00.395 --> 00:23:06.650 So it really helps you to start growing your confidence, and that's what I that's what I experienced is I I experienced a growing confidence. 00:23:07.990 --> 00:23:10.730 You know, the Lord is helping me to see, hey. 00:23:11.030 --> 00:23:13.530 You you know, I can do this through you. 00:23:14.630 --> 00:23:18.790 So my experience was very positive as far as a learning lab, so to speak. 00:23:18.790 --> 00:23:26.195 This is the time to practice and ask your instructors questions and allow yourself to be coached. 00:23:26.335 --> 00:23:30.595 And, and so I I felt like it was a time of really unfolding. 00:23:31.215 --> 00:23:37.330 And, again, like I was saying earlier, definitely bonding with your cohort and encouraging each other. 00:23:38.190 --> 00:23:46.030 One of the things I said that I experienced was the residency was, like, God twenty four seven, and I loved it. 00:23:46.030 --> 00:23:51.905 I told my husband, like, I found my people, people that could talk about the Lord all the time. 00:23:53.405 --> 00:23:56.465 So, it was fun in that regard as well. 00:23:56.765 --> 00:24:01.585 So it was definitely an unfolding and, the time of camaraderie and support. 00:24:02.365 --> 00:24:02.865 Mhmm. 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.520 Great descriptions. 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:12.500 And as you can see here in the pictures, these are some pictures of the cohorts that have gone, and there's just you know, it's just a real mixture of people. 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.480 That's for sure. 00:24:14.020 --> 00:24:19.095 Men and women, religious, and sisters and priests and deacons. 00:24:19.095 --> 00:24:25.335 The deacons you probably can't identify as well, because they're not in their clergymen here. 00:24:25.335 --> 00:24:27.015 But, yeah. 00:24:27.015 --> 00:24:28.875 So just a beautiful time. 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:56.555 And as Natalie says, just, you know, actually getting to know your cohort and your instructors, better and the university and, and getting that opportunity for in person learning, which, you know, there's there's a lot you can do online, but this skill training just to kind of hone those details and everything and act and and do just like Natalie was saying that constructive teaching, we really feel like that needs to be in person. 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:11.300 So is there anything that surprised you about the program, Natalie, whether as you were going through it? 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:22.685 Or I was mentioning earlier one of the things I liked about the program, which was also a surprise at the beginning. 00:25:22.745 --> 00:25:29.460 So when you go into the program, you think I'm I'm going you know, I feel in that the lord may be calling me to be a spiritual director. 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:36.180 I think a lot of people come in and saying, you know, lord, I I'm you're gonna use me to help. 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:44.625 But what you really, again, start doing is you do a lot of interior work, and you you gain a great deal of self awareness. 00:25:44.625 --> 00:25:48.645 And there's a great unfolding of spiritual growth for the student. 00:25:48.945 --> 00:25:52.705 So I think I was surprised at just how much of that there was. 00:25:52.705 --> 00:26:00.440 And and then looking back, it was obviously an awesome part of it, which make makes us all better spiritual directors. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:08.120 But I would say that was a little I was surprised at how much I had to actually focus on myself because I came with an outward thought. 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:11.980 But I I totally see the value in in how that was laid out. 00:26:12.775 --> 00:26:13.015 Yeah. 00:26:13.015 --> 00:26:13.515 Definitely. 00:26:13.575 --> 00:26:18.075 There is definitely that thread of building up the self awareness and self knowledge. 00:26:18.135 --> 00:26:18.535 Right? 00:26:18.535 --> 00:26:27.195 So that you understand as a director what you might be bringing to the conversations, maybe the lenses, the triggers. 00:26:27.415 --> 00:26:28.075 You know? 00:26:28.190 --> 00:26:40.690 We're human beings too and and getting to know yourself and, and deepening that relationship with the Lord, is a is a really important part too of spiritual direction. 00:26:41.595 --> 00:27:02.950 Being able to, you know, all the time become a better instrument so that really what we're able to give is the Lord and, his mercy and his love and his, you know, the listening ear through as ourselves as human beings, but, you know, probably trying not to pass along too much of, our limitations or weaknesses. 00:27:03.010 --> 00:27:07.170 Although, sometimes the Lord works in through everything. 00:27:07.170 --> 00:27:08.950 I always say he's pretty ecological. 00:27:09.250 --> 00:27:17.065 He doesn't know he does. 00:27:18.565 --> 00:27:21.065 So, what would you say to a layperson? 00:27:21.205 --> 00:27:22.105 You're a layperson. 00:27:22.245 --> 00:27:24.080 You're married, have a family. 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:26.800 What would you say to a layperson looking into the program? 00:27:26.800 --> 00:27:31.540 I know that some people wonder, like, can I be a spiritual director if I'm a layperson? 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:42.495 Isn't this just for priests or nuns or and it's definitely beautiful priests and nuns because they have a beautiful formation and spiritual life and that they bring to it. 00:27:42.495 --> 00:27:44.415 But Yeah. 00:27:44.415 --> 00:27:45.795 What would I say to a layperson? 00:27:46.095 --> 00:27:50.995 Well, I would say if you're looking for a great program, look no further than DMU. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:28:06.020 I would say, go towards the program with a, open heart, to what you know, to the Lord and, see it as a process of discernment. 00:28:06.945 --> 00:28:14.325 So, you may go into the program, and that may or may not be the signal that you will be a spiritual director. 00:28:14.465 --> 00:28:21.020 There's kind of some ongoing discernment that happens in the program, both on the part of the student and the school. 00:28:21.020 --> 00:28:23.020 And so just have that open heart. 00:28:23.020 --> 00:28:24.800 Lord, you're calling me here. 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:30.560 Whatever you do with this is good is good. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:44.685 And I would say that, as a spiritual director, you or as a layperson considering spiritual direction, think about the holy priests that you will potentially get to support. 00:28:44.685 --> 00:28:48.225 Say the Lord has you go through the program when you are a spiritual director. 00:28:49.530 --> 00:28:50.970 Our our priests are so wonderful. 00:28:50.970 --> 00:28:57.150 I worked for a a wonderful priest for three years, and I saw the intensity of his ministry. 00:28:58.010 --> 00:29:02.650 And so many people were craving spiritual direction and wanting spiritual direction. 00:29:02.650 --> 00:29:09.295 Now pope Benedict said in 2011, he he encouraged everyone to get spiritual direction, you know, all Catholics. 00:29:09.295 --> 00:29:11.955 The church has encouraged it almost from the beginning. 00:29:12.815 --> 00:29:24.000 But the availability of spiritual direct directors from good solid programs is is not gonna match the population that could need or want spiritual direction. 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:39.655 So, for a layperson, think about how you could support your parishes that are holy priests in this ministry, how you can be an extension of that and, and open your heart to the joy that that can bring. 00:29:39.655 --> 00:29:40.215 You know? 00:29:40.215 --> 00:29:48.540 So you would get a DMU solid formation under solid expertise, caring instructors, caring community. 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.760 There's so much wrapped up in it. 00:29:50.760 --> 00:29:57.740 It's an it's truly a humbling honor to be able to serve as a spiritual director. 00:29:59.285 --> 00:29:59.785 Beautiful. 00:30:00.165 --> 00:30:03.705 Well, I see some questions are coming here, and I just wanna make sure. 00:30:04.485 --> 00:30:07.465 So, Sharon, you wanna know how long the program is. 00:30:07.685 --> 00:30:15.170 So the program is, it's six courses, and you you take usually three a year. 00:30:15.630 --> 00:30:17.790 You can take a break if you need to. 00:30:17.790 --> 00:30:22.350 Sometimes there's something that happens and someone can't study one of the terms. 00:30:22.350 --> 00:30:22.850 Right? 00:30:23.070 --> 00:30:29.805 But it takes you usually if you go through the usual space pace that we have, it will take you, two years. 00:30:30.185 --> 00:30:35.085 At a rhythm of three courses a year, those courses are eight weeks long. 00:30:36.345 --> 00:30:38.985 So we're not talking about tons of time. 00:30:38.985 --> 00:30:44.070 We're talking it altogether twenty four weeks out of a fifty two week year. 00:30:44.070 --> 00:30:44.230 Right? 00:30:46.390 --> 00:30:48.570 So that's kind of the pace. 00:30:48.630 --> 00:30:51.610 And then I think someone was also asking about the cost. 00:30:55.190 --> 00:31:04.365 Any questions that you have, just put them in the question and answer, and then I can and then I can make sure that we get them answered. 00:31:04.505 --> 00:31:09.165 So the cost I have a slide here that shows that. 00:31:09.705 --> 00:31:15.110 So each course costs $800, each of those eight week courses. 00:31:15.570 --> 00:31:19.270 And then when we do have a residency, they have a separate cost. 00:31:19.570 --> 00:31:30.045 So each residency costs 1,100, and that covers the hotel, your food, you know, materials, the teaching. 00:31:30.585 --> 00:31:42.570 You're just responsible for getting your, you know, getting to the school and going getting back home and, three dinners, but everything else is given to you there. 00:31:43.530 --> 00:31:49.870 So all in all, the course costs the certificate costs about $7,000. 00:31:51.050 --> 00:32:01.695 If you do need to take continue on in practicum because you're, finishing your your practicum hours after you finished a course, you can do that. 00:32:01.695 --> 00:32:05.395 It's it's a $100 a term to get supervision. 00:32:06.095 --> 00:32:14.380 And if you're just gonna continue in practicum and you already have a supervisor, it's it's just $50 a term to keep yourself enrolled during that time. 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:17.420 Let me see some of these other questions. 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:21.740 Are there any scholarships available? 00:32:24.545 --> 00:32:25.425 Not really. 00:32:25.425 --> 00:32:37.285 You will see on the pro on the website of the program, if you if you've gone there, we do have a pop up that asks people to contribute to what we call the SDC grant fund. 00:32:37.585 --> 00:32:44.060 And, basically, that's a fund that we've set up that if people give to it, we try to give it to students. 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:48.120 You know, as much as comes in is as much goes out. 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:54.940 Right now, we're at zero in that fund because we have given it away, and we try to, you know, use it to help people to defray costs. 00:32:56.155 --> 00:32:58.895 So that's something that is offered. 00:33:00.475 --> 00:33:02.415 But there aren't any other scholarships. 00:33:02.475 --> 00:33:07.515 And sadly, because it is a certificate program, it's not even like you that you can use. 00:33:07.515 --> 00:33:13.730 You know, if you've been in the military and you have some, a GI bill or something like that. 00:33:13.730 --> 00:33:17.010 It's a certificate, so it it doesn't it's not covered by that. 00:33:17.010 --> 00:33:33.435 So, what we do say, you know, is if there is a community that you're thinking of serving or that's asking you to get this training as a spiritual director is to, you know, see if they're willing to pay some of the course and you to pay the other part of the, you know, certificate. 00:33:34.215 --> 00:33:36.235 Some of the parishes have done that. 00:33:36.695 --> 00:33:37.995 They sponsor people. 00:33:38.055 --> 00:33:47.260 Or if you're a part of a ecclesial movement or organization that's asking training, sometimes they'll come forward and either pay for it in full or or help you out. 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:52.380 I'm gonna come back to you, Natalie, but let me just see if there these other questions. 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.660 Definitely. 00:33:57.885 --> 00:34:00.865 Discounts for those working for the church or already in military. 00:34:02.925 --> 00:34:10.890 So we did have, for those people, we're we're just actually changed, and I don't even know Natalie knows about this. 00:34:10.970 --> 00:34:26.765 We just actually changed the process of application to the program because we found that there were people who we did have a requirement, a previous requirement that you needed to be in, have a history of frequent pure spiritual direction. 00:34:27.145 --> 00:34:40.910 We found that for some people that was difficult because they have lost their spiritual director or maybe they weren't they had been in some type of spiritual, talks, but they had never, you know, gotten to that place to really solidify that relationship. 00:34:41.050 --> 00:34:46.090 So now we've just recreated the the acceptance of the program into two tiers. 00:34:46.090 --> 00:34:58.985 And so you actually can get into the first two courses without having a spiritual director at this current time, and you need to get one by the end of the first course. 00:34:58.985 --> 00:34:59.485 Right? 00:35:00.585 --> 00:35:07.790 So that just allows us to help you to find a spiritual director and just to help you and better. 00:35:07.790 --> 00:35:14.530 And it also gives an opportunity to get into the program and start learning and seeing if, you know, it is a good fit for you. 00:35:15.150 --> 00:35:18.690 So in those first two courses, there's not any type of discount. 00:35:18.910 --> 00:35:36.560 But if you stay on for the third, you know, if you get accepted as what we call a candidate for a certificate, which is with the third course, then there is a 10% discount for anyone that can show that they're in good standings with their with their parish community, their church community. 00:35:37.660 --> 00:35:38.800 So there is that. 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:46.400 And is having a degree required? 00:35:46.540 --> 00:35:46.620 No. 00:35:46.620 --> 00:35:47.100 You're not. 00:35:47.100 --> 00:35:51.735 There's not any requirement of degrees to enter into the program. 00:35:52.115 --> 00:35:54.055 We do there is an interviewing process. 00:35:54.115 --> 00:35:56.535 There is a application process. 00:35:56.915 --> 00:36:11.340 We are looking for a certain amount of theological knowledge because the program does have a considerable amount of theological content, but, it can't take the place of basic catechetical training. 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:12.680 Right? 00:36:12.680 --> 00:36:18.805 So we are looking that you come up with a certain, theological knowledge and that you have the capacity. 00:36:18.805 --> 00:36:22.985 It is not a master's program, but there is definitely an academic rigor to the program. 00:36:23.045 --> 00:36:25.225 Maybe you can speak to that a little bit, Natalie. 00:36:25.525 --> 00:36:26.745 Just kind of that. 00:36:27.910 --> 00:36:29.130 Oh, absolutely. 00:36:31.110 --> 00:36:36.490 As Maria said, academic rigor, is definitely part of the equation. 00:36:37.190 --> 00:36:40.070 There's a lot of deep and meaningful reading. 00:36:40.070 --> 00:36:42.010 Some of my readings, I had to read twice. 00:36:42.535 --> 00:36:44.075 If it was Saint John of the Cross. 00:36:45.255 --> 00:36:53.095 However, again, Maria was saying you have to have a certain degree of formation going into the program. 00:36:53.095 --> 00:36:54.455 That was definitely true. 00:36:54.455 --> 00:37:00.570 I'm not sure I I would have been able to hang with the material if I had not had the formation that I had. 00:37:01.750 --> 00:37:08.730 And the program itself has a certain like, we do have them do reflective essays, which really never are more than a thousand words. 00:37:09.030 --> 00:37:09.530 Mhmm. 00:37:10.225 --> 00:37:19.125 But, you know, there is a certain and we do you know, we have a simplified APA, style that we ask them the students to use. 00:37:19.425 --> 00:37:27.500 We try not to make it too cumbersome, but we just try to keep a certain amount of formality just to help the learning, and the communication. 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:35.480 So, there's a question about, you know, can protestants come into this program? 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.040 Of course. 00:37:36.040 --> 00:37:44.405 Anyone that wants to learn on the Catholic Christian tradition of spiritual direction, which is a very rich tradition, we do have. 00:37:44.405 --> 00:37:47.445 We have a Episcopalian minister in the program. 00:37:47.445 --> 00:37:53.810 We've had protest Protestants from all different walks of, the Protestant church, Anglicans, Lutherans. 00:37:54.830 --> 00:37:55.550 We love it. 00:37:55.550 --> 00:38:00.370 It's, we're a Catholic university, but, you know, Catholic Christian. 00:38:00.670 --> 00:38:02.110 And, no. 00:38:02.110 --> 00:38:19.275 We're all Christians, and and the vision that we have of the human person is really one that, puts together the the Catholic Christian theology, philosophy, and, understanding of the human person. 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:30.840 So I'm not gonna take any more questions just yet because I wanna just get to kind of like post program for you, Natalie. 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:40.715 So after you finish this program, we're you know, give us a little sense of where you feel like the Lord took you or, or where he's taking you. 00:38:41.095 --> 00:38:41.495 Yes. 00:38:41.495 --> 00:38:42.215 Oh, okay. 00:38:42.215 --> 00:38:42.955 Well, definitely. 00:38:45.255 --> 00:38:55.010 In going into the program and definitely traveling through the program, I knew that I wanted to be able to offer spiritual direction, as much as possible. 00:38:55.310 --> 00:38:55.970 You know? 00:38:56.750 --> 00:39:01.250 It's difficult to do it full time, I would say, but that would be a dream come true. 00:39:01.805 --> 00:39:15.830 And so, with much discernment, I was able to, on a part time basis, work as a professional spiritual director. 00:39:15.830 --> 00:39:29.445 So I see directees, monthly, and I have a, you know, a good amount of directees that I work with, through what I was mentioning you earlier, the group, so a formal framework. 00:39:30.565 --> 00:39:34.985 I support, the, local parishes. 00:39:35.285 --> 00:39:40.745 I support the Catholic conference center in, Hickory. 00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:53.100 And I, actually, am a retreat master for, using my spiritual direction skills, but also, I support retreat. 00:39:53.160 --> 00:40:05.955 So, one of the things that I do is if a retreat is happening, I actually, go and meet with the retreatants, as they're going through the retreat so they could process what the Lord might be placing on their hearts. 00:40:05.955 --> 00:40:10.295 So it's a great way to support people using the spiritual direction training. 00:40:11.120 --> 00:40:12.420 So so I see individuals. 00:40:12.560 --> 00:40:13.700 I support retreats. 00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:15.920 I I facilitate retreats now. 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:18.180 So the Lord's open wide the doors. 00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:28.585 There's some discernment, that my husband and I are in the middle of right now and how we could possibly even reach out to veterans using spiritual direction. 00:40:29.205 --> 00:40:35.685 So, it's exciting what the Lord can do, when you keep yourself wide open to what what he wants. 00:40:35.685 --> 00:40:38.020 So he's really opened a lot of doors in the last year. 00:40:38.020 --> 00:40:39.400 It's been very exciting. 00:40:41.060 --> 00:40:53.885 And even I would say, he's allowing us to also, see new dreams within the spiritual direction framework that I didn't even realize were there. 00:40:54.505 --> 00:40:54.665 Yeah. 00:40:54.665 --> 00:40:55.065 Right? 00:40:55.065 --> 00:40:55.598 It's a lot. 00:40:55.892 --> 00:40:56.478 In the whole time. 00:40:56.585 --> 00:40:57.805 In the last year. 00:40:58.345 --> 00:40:58.665 Mhmm. 00:40:58.665 --> 00:40:58.905 Yes. 00:40:58.905 --> 00:41:04.745 And then the the beauty of working at DMU with the faculty to to support our students going through the program. 00:41:04.745 --> 00:41:05.645 I Yeah. 00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:07.220 Amazing. 00:41:07.360 --> 00:41:11.600 So, I mean, you can be a part of training through future spiritual directors as well. 00:41:11.600 --> 00:41:14.240 So as you could see, there are a lot of directions you can go. 00:41:14.240 --> 00:41:14.560 Yeah. 00:41:14.560 --> 00:41:15.200 It really is. 00:41:15.200 --> 00:41:20.385 And it's kind of as unique as each each student because all of you have gone in different directions with it. 00:41:20.865 --> 00:41:22.805 We love having you come for the residencies. 00:41:23.825 --> 00:41:27.125 Well, let me just take a look and see if there's anyone more. 00:41:28.465 --> 00:41:33.790 So, John, you're asking about the the semester dates, for the residency. 00:41:34.010 --> 00:41:46.635 So the residency is always occur in, September, October, January, February, and May and July. 00:41:47.975 --> 00:41:55.095 The dates are not set yet because they have to do with the academic calendar of the university, but they will be set pretty soon. 00:41:55.095 --> 00:42:02.510 I think as soon as we get January 1, they get the next year's academic calendar up on the website, and it's pretty standard. 00:42:02.510 --> 00:42:09.550 They always happen within a certain amount of time, every year, so it's pretty standard when they'd be happening. 00:42:09.550 --> 00:42:12.370 So, so you'd be able to have those dates beforehand. 00:42:13.505 --> 00:42:18.725 Rosemary, you're asking if this is something that you do independently or most people employed by their parishes? 00:42:19.185 --> 00:42:20.405 Well, it is a ministry. 00:42:20.465 --> 00:42:20.965 Right? 00:42:21.425 --> 00:42:23.105 So some people do it for free. 00:42:23.105 --> 00:42:24.705 Some people charge money. 00:42:24.705 --> 00:42:28.760 Some people, work within the structure of their parish. 00:42:29.140 --> 00:42:38.600 We in the program teach that everyone needs to be attached to a faith community, right, and work under the authority of the leader of that faith community. 00:42:39.435 --> 00:42:45.915 So we train you, but we don't send you nor do we kind of work with you because we don't work on a local level. 00:42:45.915 --> 00:42:46.315 Right? 00:42:46.315 --> 00:42:52.730 So, you know, you need to be attached to a faith community that you're serving. 00:42:52.730 --> 00:42:52.970 Right? 00:42:52.970 --> 00:43:00.010 The gifts of the the gifts of the spirit are given for the service of the community, and there's always always an authority there. 00:43:00.010 --> 00:43:00.510 Right? 00:43:01.050 --> 00:43:03.630 Within within any type of faith tradition. 00:43:05.655 --> 00:43:07.355 Terry, you asked about the practicum. 00:43:08.455 --> 00:43:11.095 The practicum is, sixty hours. 00:43:11.095 --> 00:43:11.415 Right? 00:43:11.415 --> 00:43:16.395 So it's forty eight hours of seeing people in spiritual direction and twelve hours of supervision. 00:43:17.310 --> 00:43:21.890 Those forty eight hours of seeing people in spiritual direction, these are directees that you find. 00:43:21.950 --> 00:43:24.590 We kinda work that, you know, through that. 00:43:24.590 --> 00:43:43.865 We had take little steps as you go through the program so that when you're ready to start seeing people on the fifth course, you have some of that lined up already, and you have those relationships, you know, those people willing to start, to be directed as, from someone that's in a time of training. 00:43:43.925 --> 00:43:44.425 Right? 00:43:44.680 --> 00:43:48.920 And then the supervision is actually given to you in the fifth in the sixth course. 00:43:48.920 --> 00:43:55.820 So as you're seeing people in spiritual direction, that supervision is being given to you by your instructors. 00:43:56.200 --> 00:43:58.135 So that's how that practicum works. 00:43:58.135 --> 00:44:00.315 I hope that I have answered that question. 00:44:03.655 --> 00:44:06.235 John is asking, can couples attend? 00:44:06.375 --> 00:44:07.175 Yes, John. 00:44:07.175 --> 00:44:18.370 I think now we're I think we're on our fourth or fifth couple that is going through the program together and becoming spiritual directors together. 00:44:18.370 --> 00:44:19.250 And it's beautiful. 00:44:19.250 --> 00:44:30.635 They have a beautiful experience besides the fact that every every spouse of anyone that goes through the program is always thrilled with just how the program has helped their spouse. 00:44:31.095 --> 00:44:31.655 And right? 00:44:31.655 --> 00:44:34.475 So they are kind of our biggest cheerleaders. 00:44:35.255 --> 00:44:36.855 Let's just see if there's anything else. 00:44:36.855 --> 00:44:38.475 I think I answered all these. 00:44:41.400 --> 00:44:42.200 Oh, Natalie. 00:44:42.200 --> 00:44:44.140 You have someone that wants to talk to you? 00:44:44.280 --> 00:44:45.320 You can go into the chat. 00:44:45.320 --> 00:44:45.980 Right, Natalie? 00:44:46.040 --> 00:44:48.600 Because someone wants to be in touch with you. 00:44:48.600 --> 00:44:50.060 They sent you their email. 00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:53.420 They're at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. 00:44:58.125 --> 00:44:58.625 Kylie. 00:44:59.325 --> 00:45:00.125 Do you see that? 00:45:00.125 --> 00:45:00.865 Oh, yes. 00:45:01.805 --> 00:45:02.305 Yes. 00:45:03.645 --> 00:45:04.845 I would love to. 00:45:04.845 --> 00:45:07.185 I will I'll make a note of it for sure. 00:45:08.220 --> 00:45:16.480 That's where my my I was grew up in an air force family, so my, baptismal certificate has the military archdiocese seal on it. 00:45:17.580 --> 00:45:18.060 Yay. 00:45:18.060 --> 00:45:18.880 That's fun. 00:45:19.100 --> 00:45:19.740 Very good. 00:45:19.740 --> 00:45:22.525 I would Yeah. 00:45:22.525 --> 00:45:24.545 Liberty, North Carolina Fort Liberty. 00:45:25.325 --> 00:45:26.605 Active duty army. 00:45:26.605 --> 00:45:27.105 Awesome. 00:45:29.805 --> 00:45:30.305 Great. 00:45:30.525 --> 00:45:31.245 That's great. 00:45:31.245 --> 00:45:33.345 I'm glad that we can make that connection. 00:45:34.190 --> 00:45:38.930 So the last question I have is when do classes start? 00:45:39.630 --> 00:45:48.535 The next, the next class course starts in January. 00:45:48.535 --> 00:45:50.035 It starts January 10. 00:45:50.415 --> 00:45:58.175 And if you're if you, want to apply for that, you can go on the website, the Divine Mercy website. 00:45:58.175 --> 00:45:58.975 Look at our program. 00:45:58.975 --> 00:46:00.435 The application is there. 00:46:00.710 --> 00:46:06.230 And you can also sign up for the conversation with our admissions adviser, or you can just reach out to him. 00:46:06.230 --> 00:46:07.370 Here is his information. 00:46:07.750 --> 00:46:11.910 His name is Greg Shapiro, and here is his email address and his phone number. 00:46:11.910 --> 00:46:19.305 And that phone number also accepts calls and text messages so that you can just get in touch with them however you would like. 00:46:20.405 --> 00:46:26.665 We've got a few more weeks before Christmas, so we're doing kind of, you know, bringing the last people through this enrollment process. 00:46:28.005 --> 00:46:40.860 We do wanna have you through the enrollment process, though, about two weeks before you start classes just because, there is a small orientation course that we wanna give you, and, you know, we just want you to succeed. 00:46:40.860 --> 00:46:46.845 And sometimes, when you're running through it, it's it's very you know, it can be difficult. 00:46:47.865 --> 00:46:56.605 And it does take a little bit more time to just to get to learn if you've not learned on online. 00:46:59.480 --> 00:47:01.180 I think there's just one more question. 00:47:04.760 --> 00:47:09.640 So will you be prepared Madeline's asking you to be prepared to lead the nation's spiritual exercises by the end? 00:47:09.640 --> 00:47:10.005 No. 00:47:10.085 --> 00:47:12.245 The program trains you to be a spiritual director. 00:47:12.245 --> 00:47:14.665 It doesn't train you in the spiritual exercises. 00:47:15.445 --> 00:47:18.885 It's not difficult once you're a spiritual director, good to get that training. 00:47:18.885 --> 00:47:21.305 Really, that's probably like a two day training. 00:47:22.245 --> 00:47:24.345 But we it's not a part of the program. 00:47:27.140 --> 00:47:28.040 Well, good. 00:47:28.180 --> 00:47:31.400 Natalie, anything that you wanna say before we sign off here? 00:47:34.660 --> 00:47:37.860 Well, thank you to everybody that has attended this evening. 00:47:37.860 --> 00:47:43.965 Thank you to being attentive to maybe a movement on your heart just to to look into DMU. 00:47:44.745 --> 00:47:48.605 I'll keep you in my prayers as you discern, this program. 00:47:49.865 --> 00:47:58.220 But I I think I've expressed, as much as I can, like, this has been a massive blessing. 00:47:58.520 --> 00:48:06.200 And, DMU is a very, very special university, so thank you for checking it out. 00:48:06.200 --> 00:48:12.005 And, again, you'll be in my prayers as you discern whether this is a call from the Lord. 00:48:12.625 --> 00:48:13.125 Mhmm. 00:48:13.745 --> 00:48:28.810 So it's so funny that you say that about DMU, Natalie, because it is a special university, and it's doing some incredible things of putting counselors and psychologists, faith based, you know, that really integrate faith and reason. 00:48:29.270 --> 00:48:34.485 And they you know, the latest of human sciences, but also within the lens of faith. 00:48:35.445 --> 00:48:36.745 And it's really interesting. 00:48:36.805 --> 00:49:04.570 I haven't had a chance to comment this to you, but there's a good amount of students that that start the spiritual direction program and then finish it and then go on to the counseling program or, you know, or do the masters in psychology because it's like the Lord started something in their heart there and made them understand that, you know, this was the beginning of them wanting to do even more or to help even in another way. 00:49:04.570 --> 00:49:07.375 So it's kind of beautiful and vice versa. 00:49:07.375 --> 00:49:18.335 There's people that have done the masters in psychology or have done this counseling and have decided to also want to serve people as a spiritual director, you know, getting this training. 00:49:18.335 --> 00:49:34.965 So it is it is a beautiful place to be and to be part of trying to just, you know, be part of a university that's trying to help in, in a solid and good way based on the the true understanding of the human person from the Catholic Christian perspective. 00:49:35.265 --> 00:49:36.485 So Definitely. 00:49:37.505 --> 00:49:38.305 Thank you all. 00:49:38.305 --> 00:49:41.365 Thank you, Natalie, for taking this time to be with us and sharing. 00:49:41.585 --> 00:49:41.825 Yeah. 00:49:41.825 --> 00:49:42.545 My pleasure. 00:49:42.545 --> 00:49:43.285 Thank you. 00:49:43.745 --> 00:49:47.185 And, thank you all, all participants for showing up tonight. 00:49:47.185 --> 00:49:48.965 We hope we've answered your questions. 00:49:49.400 --> 00:49:50.540 God bless you all. 00:49:51.080 --> 00:49:51.720 God bless you. 00:49:51.720 --> 00:49:52.540 Happy Advent.