WEBVTT 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:06.580 Alright. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:08.960 So why don't we get started? 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:13.700 Welcome everybody to the spiritual direction certificate webinar. 00:00:14.855 --> 00:00:18.315 Just to introduce myself, my name is Greg Shapiro. 00:00:18.375 --> 00:00:22.235 I'm the admissions adviser here at Divine Mercy University. 00:00:23.495 --> 00:00:32.100 Just as a background, I've been working in the university system and enrollment for the past, six and a half years now. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:36.440 But I've been with Divine Mercy University for almost two years now. 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:44.360 So my background has been working in the psychology and counseling fields and social services. 00:00:44.580 --> 00:00:49.075 But, recently, I actually made a switch over to a spiritual direction. 00:00:49.135 --> 00:00:51.135 I've really enjoyed doing that. 00:00:51.455 --> 00:01:03.440 Just speaking with people that have been enthusiastic about this sort of ministry and, their experiences within spiritual direction, and now they're calling to go into this has been just a real blessing. 00:01:03.440 --> 00:01:05.700 So I've been really happy to do that. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:11.120 So today, just as a heads up, I think I mentioned it earlier. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:13.520 There's gonna be a lot of information that we're gonna cover. 00:01:13.520 --> 00:01:16.100 I'm gonna make sure that you know all the details of the program. 00:01:16.705 --> 00:01:23.205 But as any questions are coming up, go ahead and list your questions in the chat and the q and a section. 00:01:24.225 --> 00:01:27.605 I might get to a point where I can answer that as we're going through it. 00:01:27.745 --> 00:01:28.945 If I don't, that's fine. 00:01:28.945 --> 00:01:32.780 I'll make sure that we cover everything, toward the end of it. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:36.240 So we're gonna open a q and a after we cover all of the details. 00:01:37.180 --> 00:01:39.920 So with that said, why don't we get started? 00:01:40.380 --> 00:01:54.365 So today, we're gonna be covering who we are as a university, our mission, our history, and really how this program is different from so many other spiritual direction certificate programs. 00:01:54.905 --> 00:01:57.865 Next, we're gonna talk about what is spiritual direction. 00:01:57.865 --> 00:02:03.920 A lot of you probably already have a good sense of it, but I think sometimes we use that term in different ways. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:09.140 So I wanna share with you how we're defining that program, that sort of phrase. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:25.305 And then after that, we're gonna go into the about what this program will actually entail for all of you, the ins and outs, the, the courses, the time frame, that sort of thing, and then also the tuition. 00:02:26.940 --> 00:02:28.560 So let's get started. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:34.160 The, just to share with you a little bit of the history of the university. 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:42.085 We began back in 1999 under the name of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. 00:02:42.145 --> 00:02:43.765 We were also called IPS. 00:02:44.705 --> 00:02:46.725 Some of you might be familiar with that. 00:02:46.785 --> 00:02:51.925 So we started with the PsyD in clinical psychology program. 00:02:52.510 --> 00:02:56.210 And then in 2014, we added the master's in psychology. 00:02:56.670 --> 00:03:00.110 In 2016, we added the school of counseling. 00:03:00.110 --> 00:03:06.290 And so that had us change our name to Divine Mercy University when we went to university status. 00:03:07.905 --> 00:03:12.305 But the spiritual direction certificate program is the newest of them. 00:03:12.305 --> 00:03:17.825 That one began only in 2019, so it's fairly new, but it's been going very well for us. 00:03:17.825 --> 00:03:22.405 Our cohorts have typically been made up of somewhere between twenty five and thirty students. 00:03:23.200 --> 00:03:32.260 And what these all have in common is the mission of the university, which is the Catholic Christian meta model of the human person. 00:03:32.320 --> 00:03:40.195 So this is basically the integration of psychology with two thousand years of church teaching on human dignity. 00:03:41.375 --> 00:03:50.675 So the this is, again, something that actually does separate this program from so many other spiritual direction certificate programs. 00:03:51.510 --> 00:04:17.085 There's a lot of them that are great that are out there, but what makes this one unique is not only that emphasis on the Catholic Christian understanding of human dignity, but how it's also related to or rather how psychology can be related to that, having a better understanding of the human mind and how that allows for our spiritual directors to thrive in this sort of, ministry. 00:04:18.310 --> 00:04:28.810 Next, just to share with you our our accreditation, we are institutionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 00:04:29.030 --> 00:04:31.770 This is one of the seven major accrediting bodies. 00:04:32.445 --> 00:04:39.905 So we do hold to a high standard of education, and we're also approved to operate by SHEV. 00:04:39.965 --> 00:04:43.745 That's the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. 00:04:44.970 --> 00:04:57.070 Now that top accreditation that you're seeing, which is the American Psychological Association, this is a programmatic accreditation, which you would only find in a doctoral program. 00:04:57.930 --> 00:05:02.435 So you might be asking why is this one relevant to this one if this is not a doctoral program. 00:05:03.135 --> 00:05:11.635 I like to include it in here because we still use the APA writing style in all of the programs that we offer including in this one. 00:05:12.175 --> 00:05:21.870 So this is also a way to better equip our students in spiritual direction before they go into this, ministry as they're learning their skills and knowledge. 00:05:23.770 --> 00:05:26.350 So what is spiritual direction? 00:05:26.970 --> 00:05:33.745 I speak with a lot of students, and sometimes they we we have a very, common understanding of what this is. 00:05:33.745 --> 00:05:40.805 And sometimes we look at it very differently, but, we're we're approaching spiritual direction from the Catholic tradition. 00:05:40.865 --> 00:05:44.560 And so what this means is, first, it's accompaniment. 00:05:44.780 --> 00:05:51.040 It's assisting people on their path to the Lord, so working with them as they're growing in their faith. 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:56.240 And it's the act of being there for them in service both to them and to the Lord. 00:05:56.515 --> 00:06:04.855 And then it's also deep listening to the directee, so to help them in deepening in their experience of the Lord and his narrative in their lives. 00:06:05.475 --> 00:06:20.690 So spiritual directors and for many of you who have who have gone through spiritual direction, you'll notice that many times it's you, sharing with your spiritual director where you are in your current life and in your faith life. 00:06:20.750 --> 00:06:29.545 And so it's important for that spiritual director to have that deep listening so that they can better work with you, but more so better accompany you. 00:06:30.485 --> 00:06:32.165 It's a pilgrimage toward God. 00:06:32.165 --> 00:06:35.145 It's a clear goal of growing closer to God. 00:06:36.390 --> 00:06:37.750 What it's not is therapy. 00:06:37.750 --> 00:06:43.270 It's I think sometimes people see it that way because there are sort of overlapping tones to it. 00:06:43.270 --> 00:06:47.030 You're sitting with an individual and speaking with them one on one. 00:06:47.030 --> 00:06:50.595 So it might even resemble therapy, but it's not therapy. 00:06:50.595 --> 00:06:58.115 It's it's a little bit different, and it's, instead, it's walking with them in their in their faith life. 00:06:58.355 --> 00:06:59.335 It's that accompaniment. 00:07:00.430 --> 00:07:03.730 And lastly, it's formation in mission. 00:07:04.670 --> 00:07:10.370 So it's the effort to, just like Jesus did, summon, form, and send forth. 00:07:11.070 --> 00:07:19.455 So for many of you, you at one point, for you for you you who have spiritual directors, you felt drawn. 00:07:19.515 --> 00:07:23.215 You were you felt summoned to actually seek that spiritual direction now. 00:07:23.515 --> 00:07:27.375 And as you've been going through it, you have gone through a faith formation. 00:07:28.235 --> 00:07:36.010 And at this point, you're here on this webinar because you feel like you're being sent to enter into this ministry yourselves. 00:07:36.010 --> 00:07:53.685 And so, this is something to expect that as you are active as spiritual directors, you too will work with people who have felt summoned to that sort of, just growing in their faith, formation with a spiritual director. 00:07:54.065 --> 00:07:57.890 And many of them themselves may come become spiritual directors. 00:07:58.430 --> 00:08:00.690 So there are a lot of fruits to this. 00:08:01.870 --> 00:08:05.250 Next, why is spiritual direction such an important ministry? 00:08:06.270 --> 00:08:10.370 So first, it's offering the service of deep listening to to to others. 00:08:11.865 --> 00:08:23.805 This is, I think, very important for people as they're trying to wrap their heads around their own faith and trying to grow, and and sometimes it really does take human agency to better understand what God is, directing them to. 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:32.280 And next, it's accompanying our sisters and our brothers in the faith to help strengthen in their faith, their hope, in faith, hope, and love. 00:08:32.280 --> 00:08:33.740 So the theological virtues. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:38.300 Next, it's guiding another to find the Lord in every situation. 00:08:38.735 --> 00:08:57.450 So whether it is a very traumatic situation that they've gone through and they're trying to find meaning and understanding and love from God through that difficult circumstance or even if it's a very mundane situation that they're in, but they know that there's something that God is telling them. 00:08:57.770 --> 00:09:03.470 Spiritual direction helps people in finding God in all of these sort of circumstances. 00:09:04.685 --> 00:09:08.465 And it's a way that others may discover their call to be a spiritual director. 00:09:08.925 --> 00:09:15.265 So like I had said earlier, many of you have gone through spiritual direction, and at some point, you've had that calling. 00:09:15.725 --> 00:09:22.160 Maybe someone has has wanted you to become a spiritual director, and sometimes the holy spirit speaks to you through others. 00:09:22.160 --> 00:09:23.940 And so that's one way of doing it. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:31.060 Maybe you just learned through, silence and and heard the holy spirit speak to you on that. 00:09:32.235 --> 00:09:41.055 And lastly, it's giving spiritual direction as help to others, also for the director to grow in his or her relationship with God. 00:09:41.515 --> 00:09:52.280 So one thing I'll share that was very interesting, I had the benefit of speaking with a spiritual direction student here on campus when she was here for her residency. 00:09:53.300 --> 00:10:02.785 And I asked her, how has this program, helped her out in her ministry and, just in general. 00:10:02.845 --> 00:10:11.185 And one thing that I wasn't expecting, but it makes a lot of sense, is that it's helped her out as a directee with her own spiritual director. 00:10:11.405 --> 00:10:19.560 She's better understood why her spiritual director would ask certain questions or, guide her in certain directions. 00:10:19.560 --> 00:10:28.380 And so not only has it helped her understand that, it's helped her become a better directee, and it's it's enriched her communication with her own spiritual direction. 00:10:28.925 --> 00:10:33.905 So this is just another example of how there are more fruits involved in this than we may even realize. 00:10:35.885 --> 00:10:40.945 So what to expect in the spiritual direction certificate program? 00:10:41.530 --> 00:10:46.110 So the first thing is that all of the courses that you're taking are done online. 00:10:46.810 --> 00:10:50.670 So you're doing this online, and you're also doing this asynchronously. 00:10:51.370 --> 00:10:56.190 So in other words, you are logging into your discussion boards. 00:10:56.490 --> 00:10:59.415 You are, reading your assignments. 00:10:59.635 --> 00:11:03.795 You are posting your responses in the discussion boards. 00:11:03.795 --> 00:11:08.695 You're listening to your prerecorded lectures at any time that works within your schedule. 00:11:09.555 --> 00:11:14.920 Now sometimes people think asynchronous means that you're left to your own devices, and that's not the case. 00:11:14.920 --> 00:11:16.060 You have your instructors. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:26.795 We have an extensive student support service team, so we make sure that that, assistance that's needed is there, but also that camaraderie. 00:11:27.015 --> 00:11:36.135 This is a cohort system, so you have your your, colleagues in the program, and and it's very common that they lean on each other for that assistance. 00:11:36.135 --> 00:11:40.770 So that's you'll get that just as you would in a synchronous program as well. 00:11:41.870 --> 00:11:49.490 There are six courses in this program, and there are a couple of face to face components as well. 00:11:50.605 --> 00:11:57.745 So the first face to face component would be the two residencies, which happen on campus here in Sterling, Virginia. 00:11:58.845 --> 00:12:01.345 They're each only for four days. 00:12:01.725 --> 00:12:05.265 So they're not super extensive, but they will happen twice in the program. 00:12:05.950 --> 00:12:10.210 And then you also have a sixty practicum hour session as well. 00:12:10.670 --> 00:12:14.190 Not session, but sixty practicum hours that you would be fulfilling. 00:12:14.190 --> 00:12:17.330 And that would happen a little bit closer toward the end of the program. 00:12:17.895 --> 00:12:19.815 And that would happen in your local area. 00:12:19.815 --> 00:12:21.495 So you won't have to travel for that. 00:12:21.495 --> 00:12:25.035 You can do that within your apostolate or within your parish. 00:12:26.535 --> 00:12:31.195 And and you'll have guidance from a supervisor, which would be one of your instructors. 00:12:31.735 --> 00:12:35.730 So they'll be there to help you through those sixty hours of practicum. 00:12:35.790 --> 00:12:41.390 You'll be logging those hours with them, and it'll also be an opportunity for you to share with them the successes. 00:12:41.390 --> 00:12:54.575 And if there are difficulties, which is extremely common, there might be some points where you have hiccups, and they're there to help you out and and help push through that and, and make sure that you're growing in your skills and knowledge. 00:12:56.075 --> 00:13:01.890 So here are the courses that you'll be taking as students, and they're sequential. 00:13:01.890 --> 00:13:04.230 So you'll be taking them in this order. 00:13:04.770 --> 00:13:11.830 So the first course will be ongoing conversion, deepening discipleship, and the foundations of spiritual direction. 00:13:12.555 --> 00:13:18.095 And then term two, you'll have SDC 200, which is human development for spiritual direction. 00:13:18.715 --> 00:13:23.695 And then you'll have SDC 300, which is relating skills for spiritual direction. 00:13:24.075 --> 00:13:31.510 And, in this course, this is where your first residency will be built in, and that will take place during week seven. 00:13:32.610 --> 00:13:38.630 And then you have, for your fourth course, discernment in spiritual growth theory and practice. 00:13:39.695 --> 00:13:46.995 And then your fifth course will be advanced spiritual direction, skills, and practicum, putting out into the deep. 00:13:47.615 --> 00:13:52.920 So for this fifth course, this is where residency number two will be built in. 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:55.820 And that will take place during week two. 00:13:56.280 --> 00:14:00.460 And then your last course will be advanced prayer and situations. 00:14:01.880 --> 00:14:07.420 So, again, they all go in this order, and you'll be taking one course at a time. 00:14:08.505 --> 00:14:15.645 Now the residencies, and and we have a few pictures from our, from two recent residencies that we've had. 00:14:16.665 --> 00:14:18.345 So they happen here on campus. 00:14:18.345 --> 00:14:25.630 So this is where you and all of your classmates will gather together with your instructors and with clinical psychologists. 00:14:26.570 --> 00:14:31.230 And this is where you'll be able to put into practice the skills and knowledge that you've been learning. 00:14:32.410 --> 00:14:37.070 So you'll be able to go through these simulated scenarios. 00:14:37.370 --> 00:14:46.375 You'll you'll, be able to practice a little bit deeper into what you've been learning, and it's really enriching for our students. 00:14:46.435 --> 00:14:52.295 Every time I speak with them, they share about how this has been sort of the highlight of the program for them. 00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:56.480 So these will happen, again, twice in the program. 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:59.040 The first one will happen during your third course. 00:14:59.040 --> 00:15:00.960 The second one will happen during your fifth course. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:06.080 So they're spread apart, and they happen in Sterling, Virginia on campus. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:14.065 And what happens is for those of you that might be much further out from Virginia, so maybe you have to fly, you would be flying in through Dulles. 00:15:14.285 --> 00:15:20.460 And just to give you an idea, Dulles Airport is only a five to six minute drive from here, so it's very close. 00:15:22.380 --> 00:15:28.720 It's you won't have to be going, you know, too far from where the campus is located located. 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:33.020 And, you'll be lodged right next door, basically. 00:15:33.020 --> 00:15:33.840 There's a Hilton. 00:15:34.380 --> 00:15:36.735 I think it's a Hilton anyway that's right here. 00:15:36.735 --> 00:15:43.315 In fact, it's so close that sometimes students will just walk from their hotel room over to the campus. 00:15:44.015 --> 00:15:50.915 And, the other thing to highlight, it's we listed as two four day residencies that happen. 00:15:51.210 --> 00:15:52.510 They're technically five. 00:15:53.290 --> 00:16:00.250 Not five full days, but I like to include the Wednesday evening just because it's more of a meet and greet. 00:16:00.250 --> 00:16:05.255 It's an opportunity for the students to gather together and just meet one another. 00:16:05.955 --> 00:16:14.775 And I think that it's it's also a dinner that's offered, but it is just a great way to sort of launch into these experiences. 00:16:16.490 --> 00:16:26.670 Along with that, just to share with you the time commitment and the, as far as the length of the program, so it's term based. 00:16:27.210 --> 00:16:33.735 So each term is eight weeks, and you're taking only one course per eight week term. 00:16:34.835 --> 00:16:43.155 Now along with that, usually, and this is not set in stone, but typically, students are committing somewhere between six to nine hours per week. 00:16:43.155 --> 00:16:54.120 So that includes their reading, their, logging into discussion boards and engaging that way, listening to their lectures, sitting down to write their assignments. 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:57.880 So, again, usually, it's somewhere between six to nine hours. 00:16:58.935 --> 00:17:01.915 And then, there's also breaks between the terms. 00:17:02.455 --> 00:17:06.155 So you're not taking one term right after the other. 00:17:06.615 --> 00:17:13.200 You'll have about eight, nine, ten week breaks depending on where in the academic calendar we're looking at. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:19.940 But you will have these these, these breaks in between where you it's just an ability to offer some breathing room. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:27.375 Sometimes students will take the this opportunity to just take a step back and, and have that break. 00:17:27.375 --> 00:17:34.115 Others will use that time to reread the information that they've been going through in their previous terms. 00:17:34.975 --> 00:17:44.760 But it's also an opportunity for students to replenish their funds because it is a it is a program where students are paying, horse by horse. 00:17:44.760 --> 00:17:52.245 And so offering these breaks, does allow them to replenish their funds as they're going through it. 00:17:53.045 --> 00:17:56.585 But many times also these breaks take place during major holidays. 00:17:57.045 --> 00:18:07.465 So for instance, during the Christmas season, don't expect to be doing any you won't expect to have any sort of assignments due because this will be during a break period. 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:13.160 And in total, in including these breaks, this would take two years to complete. 00:18:14.100 --> 00:18:15.860 So let's talk about the cost. 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:19.560 And I'm also gonna share with you ways on how we can reduce the cost for you. 00:18:20.295 --> 00:18:29.195 The program is, well, it's $778 per course, and it's a thousand dollars per residency. 00:18:30.375 --> 00:18:32.875 Not a thousand dollars, that also covers lodging. 00:18:33.170 --> 00:18:36.470 It covers your materials, and it's gonna cover most of your meals. 00:18:36.770 --> 00:18:42.070 So students are only responsible for three of their dinners and also for the travel. 00:18:42.690 --> 00:18:47.830 But as far as your lodging and meals and materials, that will be covered through that thousand. 00:18:48.865 --> 00:18:53.045 Now I've mentioned that there could be a way for us to reduce the cost for you. 00:18:53.745 --> 00:19:11.350 So for instance, if you are a consecrated religious or, or a volunteer with your parish or even if you're a volunteer with a, nonreligious group, that could be a way for us to bring the cost down by 10%. 00:19:11.650 --> 00:19:16.965 So that would mean that instead of it being $7.78, it would be roughly 700 per course. 00:19:18.565 --> 00:19:20.905 And so that brings us to the end. 00:19:22.405 --> 00:19:27.865 You know, one thing I'll I'll highlight, we are currently still enrolling for the upcoming fall semester. 00:19:28.165 --> 00:19:32.630 So I know it's only around the corner, but that's gonna start on August 17. 00:19:32.930 --> 00:19:37.650 We're we still have some seats available in this upcoming cohort, so it's not too late. 00:19:37.650 --> 00:19:44.290 If you're really feeling drawn to start class sooner than later, we can still do that. 00:19:44.290 --> 00:19:53.295 And, the class would run up until about mid August, and then you'll have a nice break between August and early January before the spring semester. 00:19:53.995 --> 00:20:05.040 So if you're interested in applying, if you look at the bottom red box, usually, the application is $25, but we can waive the fee for you. 00:20:05.040 --> 00:20:13.395 If you use the code s d c r E g f r e e, this will be a this will make it a free application for you. 00:20:13.715 --> 00:20:25.255 So, again, if you're interested in doing that, write down this this, code or screenshot it or whatever, and, that would be a great time to, begin the process and, again, waive the fee. 00:20:25.955 --> 00:20:31.080 So with that, I'm gonna now open up the floor to all of you. 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:35.900 I know that we have covered a lot of information, but we'd be happy to answer any questions. 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:40.455 So it looks like we have one question from Benjamin. 00:20:40.755 --> 00:20:43.575 Can you explain more about the recorded classes? 00:20:43.635 --> 00:20:45.415 What is the quality of the recordings? 00:20:45.955 --> 00:20:53.335 Is the majority of the content in the classes, or is it found in the readings and discussion boards? 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:56.700 So I I don't know what the quality of the recordings would be. 00:20:57.640 --> 00:21:06.540 I guess it could be depending on the student and, what services they're using or, how their Internet connections are. 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:20.935 But, we make sure that these are at least decent quality that I can at least speak to, because I haven't heard any sort of concerns about difficulties in understanding or clarity of the recordings. 00:21:22.130 --> 00:21:23.570 And here we read that second part. 00:21:23.570 --> 00:21:28.950 Is the majority of the content in the classes, or is it found in the readings and the discussion boards? 00:21:29.730 --> 00:21:31.990 So, it's going to be a mixture. 00:21:32.290 --> 00:21:35.330 So there are technically three textbooks that you'll have. 00:21:35.330 --> 00:21:40.045 One of those textbooks is actually the Bible, so that will be a huge part of your content. 00:21:40.045 --> 00:21:45.645 But then there are also, just a couple of other core, textbooks that you'll be reading from. 00:21:45.645 --> 00:21:47.585 And you won't be reading the entire textbooks. 00:21:47.965 --> 00:21:51.585 You'll actually just be reading certain excerpts that they'll assign to you. 00:21:52.260 --> 00:22:06.165 So if, if I have a chance to speak with you one on one, Benjamin, and and you'd like to speak more, I'd be happy to send you an email with the list of, the other two textbooks that you'd have to read. 00:22:06.885 --> 00:22:18.265 And expect to be having a full discussion, on these subjects in the discussion boards, but that will also be to the discretion of your immediate, instructors. 00:22:19.685 --> 00:22:21.065 So that's a great question. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:23.940 Let's see. 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.400 Are there any other questions? 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:29.720 One thing I'll I'll also mention, which is a common question from people. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:35.140 And, and, again, if if any other questions are coming up, feel free to drop them in right now. 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:41.785 But one question I do typically get from people is, is it required that you're a Catholic to be in this program? 00:22:42.245 --> 00:22:43.525 And the answer to that is no. 00:22:43.525 --> 00:22:44.585 It's not a requirement. 00:22:45.605 --> 00:22:55.700 While we do approach spiritual direction from the Catholic tradition, and, you know, that is very common and and our instructors are Catholic. 00:22:55.940 --> 00:23:03.380 We also have a lot of folks that enter into this program and they are non Catholic Christians, and that's totally fine. 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:09.085 And for many of them, they really value spiritual direction, and they're a real asset to the university. 00:23:09.865 --> 00:23:12.285 So, again, it's not a requirement that you are. 00:23:14.105 --> 00:23:14.585 Alright. 00:23:14.585 --> 00:23:22.770 So Benjamin asked, do you have a schedule of the courses and the breaks to see if it would be compatible with other things. 00:23:22.770 --> 00:23:23.170 Yes. 00:23:23.170 --> 00:23:23.670 Absolutely. 00:23:23.730 --> 00:23:25.270 So I do have a schedule available. 00:23:26.290 --> 00:23:34.210 So, again, I I Benjamin, I would love to get in touch with you and anyone else that's curious just to talk about what that schedule will look like. 00:23:34.210 --> 00:23:40.075 I'd be happy to send that to you via email, and also where those breaks will line up. 00:23:40.075 --> 00:23:51.150 So that way because many of you might be planning maybe travel or maybe you have major events are gonna take place, weddings or whatever they may be, during certain parts of the year. 00:23:51.150 --> 00:23:53.810 And so I know that's a huge very important part. 00:23:55.310 --> 00:24:02.370 So I'd love to show you where those will fall so that you can better plan for the future and see if this is a good option. 00:24:03.055 --> 00:24:14.595 Another thing I'll highlight in in in line with that question, Benjamin, is that, there's also an opportunity for students to take a leave of absence if they need to. 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:23.580 So if for whatever reason you need to take a step back from the program, if it's because of a wedding or an emergency happens, you can do that. 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:25.200 So you can take a leave of absence. 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:36.975 And then when you're ready to jump back into the program and go back into where you left off, you can do that, and, there's certainly an option for that. 00:24:37.435 --> 00:24:38.875 So that's a great question. 00:24:38.875 --> 00:24:41.375 And are there any other questions for me? 00:24:43.040 --> 00:24:43.360 Okay. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.400 And then one more question. 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:51.220 Is this more focused on personal spiritual direction, or does it touch on leading spiritual exercises? 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.520 That's a really good question. 00:24:53.520 --> 00:24:59.155 So it's going to be more in the direction of working with individuals one on one. 00:24:59.535 --> 00:25:08.610 But I will say that I have, seen within the spiritual exercises that many times spiritual directors will have involvement with that. 00:25:08.850 --> 00:25:14.770 In fact, the spiritual directions will be, I'm sorry, the spiritual exercises will be part of the program. 00:25:14.770 --> 00:25:25.295 There will be a a point, I think toward the middle or end where students will, will participate in the spiritual exercises. 00:25:25.435 --> 00:25:27.295 So some sort of retreat. 00:25:27.755 --> 00:25:29.915 And that would be done, again, locally to you. 00:25:29.915 --> 00:25:38.760 You won't have to travel for that, but you will need to take action in finding the ones that are in your local area. 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:41.080 Right. 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:44.520 And it looks like that reaches the end of our questions. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:59.645 So, again, I'm just gonna highlight that if you are really feeling ready to begin the program and and, you're looking to start sooner than later, now would be a great time to begin the application process. 00:26:01.465 --> 00:26:06.260 Again, this is the the code right here if you wanted to write it down so we can waive the fee for you. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:12.240 And, I'll certainly be in touch with you just to cover the information a little bit more deeply. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:15.975 And as questions come up, I'd be happy to answer that. 00:26:16.775 --> 00:26:21.815 So with that said, I just want to thank you all for joining me this evening. 00:26:21.815 --> 00:26:27.915 I'm really glad that you're all able to come in and and just learn more about the spiritual direction certificate program. 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:32.420 So, again, if any questions come up, feel free to reach out to me. 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:34.980 Thank you all, and God bless.