Hello.
My name is Michelle Drennan with Divine Mercy University and Alumni Relations, and I have the honor today to talk to one of our spiritual direction graduates, sister Carla Reyna.
And we're gonna kinda ask her some questions about her journey in the spiritual direction program and find out a little bit about one of our alumni.
Thank you, sister Carla, for being here.
Thank you, Michelle, for having me.
So where I'd always like to start, how did you come to find Divine Mercy University?
Actually, funny enough, online, I No.
Was drawn to the divine mercy because our community or charism, spirituality is divine mercy.
And so I thought, how funny would it be to go to divine mercy university?
And then I just, you know, tucked that desire away away and, our charism continue to develop.
And then our founders said, well, do you wanna go study spiritual direction?
And, of course, I panicked a little bit, but then I was like, of course.
And so after doing some research and just really seriously looking at other programs, like, I continue to discern the spiritual direction program with Divine Mercy University, and it just it just became clear that it was the best option for me.
And so I asked her pound dress, and she said, go for it.
And, again, I panicked a little, but I was really excited and just dove in.
Well, the fears are always alleviated after you make it all the way through and everything you learn.
Right?
Absolutely.
So tell me a little bit about your order and tell me, how you became my sister.
What tell me that journey a little bit.
Yeah.
So I started working at the Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Mercy ten years ago, and our community began five years ago.
And so seeing the trans, transformation, the progression of our community, which began five years ago and the spirituality developed and deepened and our charisms which are holy hospitality and spiritual direction.
So through the program at DMU, I was able to have a solid foundation through them.
My bachelor's in is in psychology, and so, you know, I placed it into the hands of the Lord of what to do next.
And I I wanted to be a therapist, but also I I wasn't sure.
I didn't wanted to go into more debt.
And so it was just really cool and they wrote it just tickled me to see how the Lord fulfilled that desire, all for his glory.
And so it wasn't like a secular therapist, although I have degree for therapists.
But it was bringing a solid foundation of our faith through the science, social sciences that really just, it was just a wonderful experience.
Yeah.
It really was.
That's great.
So the other thing that I like to explore is, you said you kinda had some concerns, a little fear, which is natural.
Once you got into the program, did you find that you were able to discipline your time and handle everything that you had to handle and keep on track, or was that a a, a challenge?
Well, once I got into it, I knew, you know, I I knew that I was gonna be all in.
And so, you know, when you're right before that, there's always that tension of, like, why will it cost you?
Right.
And so I go work head first.
And Yeah.
Discipline is a good word because I definitely had to be disciplined.
There's a lot of things that I like to do, but I really had to discipline my time.
And in college, you know, I you kind of, you know, blew off some classes, a few here and there.
So really being able to do as a an adult, it just really filled my heart.
And, through the whole program, I I think just it helped me to be more confident in explaining the faith or, standing firm in my faith.
Because in spiritual direction, you don't have you're not preaching.
You don't have that teaching necessarily.
You're listening.
Elevating.
Yeah.
So it's just really, like, stepping out of the way is what I learned most mostly in the program.
How valuable was it to have the opportunity to go to Sterling, Virginia for your in services?
Tell me a little bit about that experience.
Was that valuable?
Absolutely.
Because, you know, it was wonderful to be able to do the whole program from our convent, from our home.
But to be able to go in person, though, two times well, one time was during COVID, so I wasn't able to, but even to be in the community on Zoom.
Were you able to cover top the graduation?
No.
I wasn't.
And and, you know, it's one of those things where that's the delight of me having the opportunity to meet some of the graduates that can't quite make it here, but at least you got to see the campus Yes.
And got to see people in your cohort Absolutely.
That kind of forms a bond that Oh, yes.
And our instructors.
So So are there any other spiritual directors in your order, or are you it?
I am it.
One of our sisters began the program, but with our ministry work, and we're a smaller community, the demands just were Too high.
And so she she really has it in her heart to revisit.
And, I thank God to strangely enough that it was during COVID and things were a little slower.
Right.
So I was able to focus and give it that attention.
And so Got to adapt for sure.
Yeah.
So, you know, spiritual direction is such a a need.
I know I went to a diaconate conference and there's such a shortage.
And so I know that are you doing other things in the parish or just through your, our community?
Community.
Well, us sisters, we help run this we run the shrine.
It's a Dubai Worthy Shrine in Michigan.
So I'm, like, the general manager.
So, yeah, we're doing a few things there.
I bet.
You know, from fundraising to, ministering and praying with people.
So just a couple more questions.
One I always like to ask is if, obviously, you've considered doing this bishop's spiritual direction, God guided you into it, is there any words of wisdom that you would give somebody who's about to either start or considering started in the spiritual direction certificate program that might not come from me, but from a student who made it all the way through.
Yeah.
I say do it.
Try it.
Thankfully, the program is merciful.
I know many of people that who that has began the program and taken a couple of classes and took a pause.
So even in one class, of course, I recommend seeing it through, but even through one class, you will learn a lot and gain a lot of wisdom.
And like I said, it it helped me with my confidence of just knowing that I don't have to come in prepared.
And, actually, you're not supposed to.
Right.
Flush from the heart.
It's the spirit of poverty then and the only vision that I left with, which, you know, brought so so much fulfillment was just, me with empty hands.
And every session I go to is I come with empty hands and just the Lord will fill fill it and fill this up.
So do you feel like you've felt and seen some great results with those with with whom you've worked?
Or Absolutely.
And, you know, with our ministry work, even using our spiritual direction skill, listening skills, feedback.
I use it all the time throughout my whole life, and it's really set me on a track, I believe, for the rest of my life.
So those skills and the graces received directly from Divine Mercy University and their training.
And so That's beautiful.
So I'm grateful.
Mhmm.
Are there any questions that I didn't ask you that I should have or any other comments that you would like to make for those watching this YouTube?
No.
I don't think so.
Like I said, I highly recommend exploring their other programs.
The spiritual direction program is the one I went through, obviously, but there are more.
So if you find your faith, at the center of your life in God, but have the desires to explore the social sciences, counseling, spiritual direction, it's a wonderful place to go and to be formed.
We can't thank you enough for your gift of time and for being one of our very treasured alumni.
Thank you.
And we're always there for you.
Thank you so much.
You bet.
My pleasure.
God bless you.
Thank you.