WEBVTT 00:00:09.360 --> 00:00:09.840 Hello. 00:00:09.840 --> 00:00:21.065 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. 00:00:21.445 --> 00:00:28.585 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. 00:00:29.090 --> 00:00:30.770 Thank you, sister Carla, for being here. 00:00:30.770 --> 00:00:32.530 Thank you, Michelle, for having me. 00:00:32.530 --> 00:00:37.510 So where I'd always like to start, how did you come to find Divine Mercy University? 00:00:38.690 --> 00:00:42.495 Actually, funny enough, online, I No. 00:00:42.735 --> 00:00:49.055 Was drawn to the divine mercy because our community or charism, spirituality is divine mercy. 00:00:49.055 --> 00:00:52.675 And so I thought, how funny would it be to go to divine mercy university? 00:00:53.535 --> 00:00:59.620 And then I just, you know, tucked that desire away away and, our charism continue to develop. 00:00:59.620 --> 00:01:04.900 And then our founders said, well, do you wanna go study spiritual direction? 00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:09.240 And, of course, I panicked a little bit, but then I was like, of course. 00:01:09.300 --> 00:01:26.235 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. 00:01:26.235 --> 00:01:29.800 And so I asked her pound dress, and she said, go for it. 00:01:30.100 --> 00:01:35.380 And, again, I panicked a little, but I was really excited and just dove in. 00:01:35.380 --> 00:01:39.460 Well, the fears are always alleviated after you make it all the way through and everything you learn. 00:01:39.460 --> 00:01:39.860 Right? 00:01:39.860 --> 00:01:40.360 Absolutely. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:45.095 So tell me a little bit about your order and tell me, how you became my sister. 00:01:45.095 --> 00:01:47.015 What tell me that journey a little bit. 00:01:47.015 --> 00:01:47.335 Yeah. 00:01:47.335 --> 00:01:55.655 So I started working at the Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Mercy ten years ago, and our community began five years ago. 00:01:55.655 --> 00:02:10.300 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. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:18.505 So through the program at DMU, I was able to have a solid foundation through them. 00:02:18.505 --> 00:02:26.505 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. 00:02:26.505 --> 00:02:30.160 And I I wanted to be a therapist, but also I I wasn't sure. 00:02:30.160 --> 00:02:32.020 I didn't wanted to go into more debt. 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:41.775 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. 00:02:41.775 --> 00:02:46.355 And so it wasn't like a secular therapist, although I have degree for therapists. 00:02:47.055 --> 00:02:58.200 But it was bringing a solid foundation of our faith through the science, social sciences that really just, it was just a wonderful experience. 00:02:59.140 --> 00:02:59.640 Yeah. 00:02:59.700 --> 00:03:00.420 It really was. 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:01.240 That's great. 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:10.925 So the other thing that I like to explore is, you said you kinda had some concerns, a little fear, which is natural. 00:03:11.865 --> 00:03:23.485 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? 00:03:25.130 --> 00:03:31.310 Well, once I got into it, I knew, you know, I I knew that I was gonna be all in. 00:03:31.370 --> 00:03:36.990 And so, you know, when you're right before that, there's always that tension of, like, why will it cost you? 00:03:37.290 --> 00:03:37.450 Right. 00:03:38.010 --> 00:03:41.275 And so I go work head first. 00:03:41.495 --> 00:03:42.295 And Yeah. 00:03:42.455 --> 00:03:45.995 Discipline is a good word because I definitely had to be disciplined. 00:03:46.615 --> 00:03:51.195 There's a lot of things that I like to do, but I really had to discipline my time. 00:03:51.975 --> 00:03:57.840 And in college, you know, I you kind of, you know, blew off some classes, a few here and there. 00:03:58.540 --> 00:04:06.460 So really being able to do as a an adult, it just really filled my heart. 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:18.035 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. 00:04:18.575 --> 00:04:21.695 Because in spiritual direction, you don't have you're not preaching. 00:04:21.695 --> 00:04:23.970 You don't have that teaching necessarily. 00:04:24.110 --> 00:04:24.910 You're listening. 00:04:24.910 --> 00:04:25.410 Elevating. 00:04:26.030 --> 00:04:26.510 Yeah. 00:04:26.510 --> 00:04:31.870 So it's just really, like, stepping out of the way is what I learned most mostly in the program. 00:04:31.870 --> 00:04:37.365 How valuable was it to have the opportunity to go to Sterling, Virginia for your in services? 00:04:37.505 --> 00:04:39.265 Tell me a little bit about that experience. 00:04:39.265 --> 00:04:40.165 Was that valuable? 00:04:40.625 --> 00:04:41.125 Absolutely. 00:04:41.745 --> 00:04:48.405 Because, you know, it was wonderful to be able to do the whole program from our convent, from our home. 00:04:49.265 --> 00:04:59.750 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. 00:05:01.090 --> 00:05:02.870 Were you able to cover top the graduation? 00:05:03.890 --> 00:05:04.370 No. 00:05:04.370 --> 00:05:05.090 I wasn't. 00:05:05.090 --> 00:05:13.945 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. 00:05:14.025 --> 00:05:16.185 And got to see people in your cohort Absolutely. 00:05:16.505 --> 00:05:18.585 That kind of forms a bond that Oh, yes. 00:05:18.585 --> 00:05:19.645 And our instructors. 00:05:20.630 --> 00:05:25.450 So So are there any other spiritual directors in your order, or are you it? 00:05:26.150 --> 00:05:26.870 I am it. 00:05:27.430 --> 00:05:35.795 One of our sisters began the program, but with our ministry work, and we're a smaller community, the demands just were Too high. 00:05:36.235 --> 00:05:39.455 And so she she really has it in her heart to revisit. 00:05:39.595 --> 00:05:46.415 And, I thank God to strangely enough that it was during COVID and things were a little slower. 00:05:46.475 --> 00:05:46.795 Right. 00:05:46.795 --> 00:05:49.820 So I was able to focus and give it that attention. 00:05:49.880 --> 00:05:52.600 And so Got to adapt for sure. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:53.100 Yeah. 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:58.280 So, you know, spiritual direction is such a a need. 00:05:58.280 --> 00:06:01.420 I know I went to a diaconate conference and there's such a shortage. 00:06:01.880 --> 00:06:10.855 And so I know that are you doing other things in the parish or just through your, our community? 00:06:10.995 --> 00:06:11.495 Community. 00:06:11.875 --> 00:06:15.235 Well, us sisters, we help run this we run the shrine. 00:06:15.235 --> 00:06:17.255 It's a Dubai Worthy Shrine in Michigan. 00:06:17.635 --> 00:06:19.495 So I'm, like, the general manager. 00:06:20.070 --> 00:06:22.170 So, yeah, we're doing a few things there. 00:06:22.550 --> 00:06:23.190 I bet. 00:06:23.190 --> 00:06:23.670 I bet. 00:06:23.670 --> 00:06:28.010 You know, from fundraising to, ministering and praying with people. 00:06:28.550 --> 00:06:31.030 So just a couple more questions. 00:06:31.030 --> 00:06:53.610 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. 00:06:54.470 --> 00:06:54.710 Yeah. 00:06:54.710 --> 00:06:55.830 I say do it. 00:06:55.830 --> 00:06:56.550 Try it. 00:06:56.870 --> 00:06:59.895 Thankfully, the program is merciful. 00:07:00.675 --> 00:07:07.895 I know many of people that who that has began the program and taken a couple of classes and took a pause. 00:07:08.995 --> 00:07:17.830 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. 00:07:18.690 --> 00:07:26.225 And like I said, it it helped me with my confidence of just knowing that I don't have to come in prepared. 00:07:26.225 --> 00:07:28.065 And, actually, you're not supposed to. 00:07:28.065 --> 00:07:28.305 Right. 00:07:28.305 --> 00:07:29.105 Flush from the heart. 00:07:29.105 --> 00:07:41.860 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. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:49.215 And every session I go to is I come with empty hands and just the Lord will fill fill it and fill this up. 00:07:49.295 --> 00:07:54.255 So do you feel like you've felt and seen some great results with those with with whom you've worked? 00:07:54.255 --> 00:07:55.475 Or Absolutely. 00:07:55.855 --> 00:08:04.090 And, you know, with our ministry work, even using our spiritual direction skill, listening skills, feedback. 00:08:04.230 --> 00:08:11.670 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. 00:08:11.670 --> 00:08:19.085 So those skills and the graces received directly from Divine Mercy University and their training. 00:08:19.085 --> 00:08:21.105 And so That's beautiful. 00:08:21.245 --> 00:08:22.145 So I'm grateful. 00:08:22.285 --> 00:08:22.785 Mhmm. 00:08:23.005 --> 00:08:30.305 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? 00:08:30.845 --> 00:08:31.345 No. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:34.300 I don't think so. 00:08:34.760 --> 00:08:38.700 Like I said, I highly recommend exploring their other programs. 00:08:39.400 --> 00:08:43.500 The spiritual direction program is the one I went through, obviously, but there are more. 00:08:44.040 --> 00:08:58.745 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. 00:08:59.780 --> 00:09:04.520 We can't thank you enough for your gift of time and for being one of our very treasured alumni. 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:05.220 Thank you. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.660 And we're always there for you. 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:07.620 Thank you so much. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:08.280 You bet. 00:09:08.377 --> 00:09:08.590 My pleasure. 00:09:08.590 --> 00:09:09.897 God bless you. 00:09:09.897 --> 00:09:10.637 Thank you.