WEBVTT 00:00:06.880 --> 00:00:07.380 Alright. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:16.425 So welcome everybody to the Divine Mercy University spiritual direction certificate program, webinar rather. 00:00:16.425 --> 00:00:17.705 My name is Greg Shapiro. 00:00:17.705 --> 00:00:21.085 I'm the admissions adviser for the SDC program. 00:00:21.705 --> 00:00:31.120 And, today, we're gonna be looking at the details and what to expect in the program, and we'll go through some slides just as a visual aid. 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:35.040 But with me today is Janet Scanlon. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:36.300 She is a faculty member. 00:00:36.300 --> 00:00:40.300 She's also alumni, and it's just a pleasure having her with me. 00:00:40.300 --> 00:00:46.635 So, Janet, if you could just introduce yourself for a moment and share a bit about yourself, that would be great. 00:00:46.635 --> 00:00:46.955 Great. 00:00:46.955 --> 00:00:47.595 Thanks, Greg. 00:00:47.595 --> 00:00:48.395 It's good to be here. 00:00:48.395 --> 00:00:49.135 Hi, everybody. 00:00:49.195 --> 00:00:50.415 Thanks for being here. 00:00:50.715 --> 00:00:52.075 Just a little bit about me. 00:00:52.075 --> 00:00:55.680 I am a, middle aged Marylander here. 00:00:55.680 --> 00:01:00.260 I grew up in the Midwest, but I've been in Maryland here for about thirty years raising a family. 00:01:00.400 --> 00:01:04.420 Mom of four, grandmom of five and counting. 00:01:05.360 --> 00:01:19.705 Have been in spiritual direction myself for close to eight to ten years and really felt the nudge, to start in the program and had the glorious benefit of being we call ourselves the pioneers. 00:01:19.925 --> 00:01:27.280 I think they call us the first cohort to go through the program, but, I had been, home raising kids. 00:01:27.340 --> 00:01:33.340 I had been doing a lot of ministry work and really just felt a nudge that God was asking something more. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:35.100 So I kinda stepped in into the unknown. 00:01:35.100 --> 00:01:42.005 It was a brand new program, but what a blessing it was in my life and the friendships that it's, we've made. 00:01:42.145 --> 00:01:47.845 And the spiritual growth has just been phenomenal, and, I'm here to recommend it wholeheartedly. 00:01:49.520 --> 00:01:49.920 Great. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:50.420 Excellent. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:51.460 Thank you, Janet. 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:57.140 So, again, we're gonna cover all the details as we're going through the webinar. 00:01:57.600 --> 00:02:07.925 But before we dive into all the information, I would like to just start by asking you a few questions, because you you have a lot of experience with this program. 00:02:07.925 --> 00:02:13.445 And like you said, you're the you're you're part of the first cohort back in 2019, I believe it was. 00:02:13.445 --> 00:02:13.945 Correct. 00:02:14.390 --> 00:02:16.630 So, so that's great. 00:02:16.630 --> 00:02:23.750 The first thing that I was curious about, if you could share, what drew you specifically to this program? 00:02:23.750 --> 00:02:26.150 There are other spiritual direction programs out there. 00:02:26.150 --> 00:02:30.595 But what why DMU's spiritual direction program in particular? 00:02:30.975 --> 00:02:31.135 Yeah. 00:02:31.135 --> 00:02:32.095 That's a great question. 00:02:32.095 --> 00:02:40.255 And when I started back in January 2019, there were several programs up and running that were credible, and I looked at them all. 00:02:40.655 --> 00:02:41.935 Some were closer to home. 00:02:41.935 --> 00:02:43.155 Some some were not. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:46.500 The thing that drew me to this program, several things. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:48.420 One was primarily the flexibility. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:50.340 It was online. 00:02:50.640 --> 00:02:57.460 It was, you know, in your own home at your own pace, but there was also this peer learning community. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:08.055 So I was in classes with, very holy, wonderful, talented people, men and women, lay and consecrated the religious. 00:03:08.755 --> 00:03:13.490 It was a beautiful community, and I had had no experience with online learning. 00:03:13.490 --> 00:03:19.810 So it was a little intimidating, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they really made it. 00:03:19.810 --> 00:03:31.585 One of the other things that really drew me to the program was that I knew people who had gone through just DMU, the psychology programs, and the counseling programs, and I felt very strong that that they were teaching truth. 00:03:32.045 --> 00:03:43.490 You know, I grew up, kinda came of age in that post Vatican two era where some some things in the church were a little, foggy for for in many ways, and I wanted truth. 00:03:43.490 --> 00:03:45.990 I wanted to know what I was getting was the truth. 00:03:46.450 --> 00:03:53.965 I wanted solid church teaching and and to know that the psychology even that I was learning was going to be, vetted. 00:03:54.425 --> 00:04:06.605 And the DMU community with the, background of the legionary priest and just the Regnum Christie people that were involved, I felt that that it was a a perfect match, and and I couldn't have been more pleased. 00:04:08.910 --> 00:04:09.230 Great. 00:04:09.230 --> 00:04:10.050 Very good. 00:04:10.190 --> 00:04:19.490 I I I've noticed that too that I think for a lot of people, their attraction to the program, one is the flexibility that it's online, and it's asynchronous. 00:04:19.790 --> 00:04:25.225 So they can log in to their classes, their modules at whatever time works in their schedule. 00:04:25.925 --> 00:04:57.215 But on top of that, just that that human development component really sets us apart from so many other programs, and it really does equip them for when they're working with different directees, including those that might have maybe a a background within their own trauma or mental health and how to speak to that with empathy and as as spiritual directors, not as therapists, but with that empathy that's really required for that. 00:04:57.675 --> 00:04:59.055 So Absolutely. 00:04:59.195 --> 00:05:01.115 The human part of it is so key. 00:05:01.115 --> 00:05:01.355 Right? 00:05:01.355 --> 00:05:03.135 Where all of our life is relationships. 00:05:03.690 --> 00:05:21.685 And just having the DMU, the therapist and the counselors and the, the side e's teaching and counseling and walking with us was so huge, just in in the relationships that we have with our directees, really in so many of our relationships just in life in general. 00:05:21.685 --> 00:05:22.905 So it was really invaluable. 00:05:23.845 --> 00:05:24.345 Yeah. 00:05:24.405 --> 00:05:24.905 Great. 00:05:25.045 --> 00:05:25.785 Very good. 00:05:26.725 --> 00:05:34.060 So along with that, I mean, what has been your experience as a student, because now you're faculty. 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:35.660 But what was your experience like? 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:42.800 You shared a little bit of that, but just generally, when you were in the program in the very first cohort, how has that experience been for you? 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:47.635 Well, I tell you, all of us who stepped into it back when it was brand new, we're a little bit nervous. 00:05:47.775 --> 00:05:51.635 To to say the truth, most of us had not been in school for many years. 00:05:51.775 --> 00:05:52.015 Mhmm. 00:05:52.015 --> 00:06:02.290 So putting a virtual backpack on was a little bit intimidating, but, it was nice to to be together with others who were stepping into that online program for the first time. 00:06:02.290 --> 00:06:08.390 So it was a little bit intimidating, but quickly, it became and and the word I I'll use is exhilarating. 00:06:08.770 --> 00:06:16.235 It was so amazing to go back to school and to realize that, wow, I can do this from my own home on my own schedule. 00:06:16.615 --> 00:06:27.415 And just this incredible world opened up of online learning, which was exhilarating and confidence building and really kinda reaffirming too. 00:06:27.415 --> 00:06:35.400 And I think people who are on the on the webinar right now, they're being called in some way to at least think about it, to pursue it. 00:06:35.400 --> 00:06:35.640 Right? 00:06:35.640 --> 00:06:36.380 They're discerning. 00:06:37.320 --> 00:06:38.840 And it does when you step into it. 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:45.275 It's kind of reaffirming and knowing that God has has been kind of pulling you, in this path for a while. 00:06:45.415 --> 00:06:55.195 We don't always understand all the twists and turns, but it was very confirming that he had been preparing those of us who joined and myself included that, yep, it it's time. 00:06:56.050 --> 00:07:11.190 Also, I I should say that it's a little bit humbling and humbling in a good way because it, you know, it's a lot of personal growth, a lot of self awareness, which is, you know, all growth is is painful, but you'll take a good long look at yourself and the narrative of your own life. 00:07:11.865 --> 00:07:17.165 And the growth is astounding, but it's it's a little bit humbling to kinda step into that and think, wow. 00:07:17.225 --> 00:07:18.025 Can I do this? 00:07:18.025 --> 00:07:30.380 Can I can I be back in school, you know, in my in my early sixties with people from all over who, is a little bit intimidating, but in the end, exhilarating and competence building and just really reaffirming? 00:07:31.400 --> 00:07:31.900 Yeah. 00:07:32.440 --> 00:07:33.160 That's great. 00:07:33.160 --> 00:08:08.940 I'll even use that as just to piggyback on what you just said as as a an opportunity to share with all the guests that, you know, if if there are any questions about moving forward, as you're in it, any sort of hiccups you're running into, whatever those might be, I always encourage the students that if, you know, if they're running into whatever curve balls life is throwing at them to reach out to us as, as their support, whether it's with the staff, with student success, with their faculty, their instructors, let us know what's going on. 00:08:09.935 --> 00:08:17.475 I found that for many of them, there could be maybe ways that in which we can help you in succeeding and thriving in the program. 00:08:18.575 --> 00:08:20.675 I'll even just use one quick example. 00:08:20.895 --> 00:08:30.440 I I I was working with a with an applicant back in, this past fall, and, she was ready to start. 00:08:30.440 --> 00:08:41.555 She really wanted to start for the fall, but she called me up and said, Greg, I think I need to defer because the week that I start class is also the week that I'm taking my daughter to college. 00:08:42.015 --> 00:08:48.115 And so it's going to be very difficult for me to handle that first week while also being present for my daughter. 00:08:48.655 --> 00:08:54.800 And so I asked her if she asked if she mentioned this to her instructor yet, and she said, not yet. 00:08:54.800 --> 00:08:56.160 You know, I didn't plan on it. 00:08:56.160 --> 00:08:57.620 I just figured I should defer. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:04.500 And so I I said, why not reach out to your instructor just to let her know, just in case? 00:09:04.935 --> 00:09:08.395 And so she did, and the instructor was very accommodating. 00:09:09.495 --> 00:09:15.255 She gave her the information, I believe a week earlier or two weeks earlier, whatever it was. 00:09:15.255 --> 00:09:25.330 But, they worked together to make sure that she had the content needed so that she can just work ahead so that she could be there for her daughter but still starting the program when she wanted to. 00:09:25.790 --> 00:09:27.870 So, again, I just use that as an example. 00:09:27.870 --> 00:09:41.395 It's always case by case, but whatever we can do within our capability to accommodate, the the student to to see their growth and their their thriving in the program, we're we always want to do what we can. 00:09:41.855 --> 00:09:43.295 And I'll echo that as well. 00:09:43.295 --> 00:09:55.170 When I started in the in the first class, the SDC 100, through kind of a glitch in emails and things, I didn't even know that I was accepted until about a week after the program started. 00:09:55.170 --> 00:09:57.670 So by that point, you're a little bit nervous already. 00:09:57.970 --> 00:09:58.210 Mhmm. 00:09:58.210 --> 00:10:12.570 My professor, doctor Murphy, couldn't have been more kind and more accommodating and more gracious and just so, so uplifting and just kinda helped me kind of wiggle my way, up to where everybody else was. 00:10:12.570 --> 00:10:22.830 And it was really kind of that first taste of, wow, they really do care about you here as a person, and know that it's not easy for all of us to kinda step into a a new platform and a new venue. 00:10:23.370 --> 00:10:25.390 But, yeah, they couldn't be more accommodating. 00:10:27.055 --> 00:10:27.455 Great. 00:10:27.455 --> 00:10:27.955 Good. 00:10:28.575 --> 00:10:38.835 So now that your faculty as a faculty member, as an instructor, what do you what do you enjoy most of all about teaching this subject matters with students? 00:10:39.390 --> 00:10:44.210 So I should say that my part as a in on the faculty is I'm helping with the residencies. 00:10:44.350 --> 00:10:50.530 So part of the program, as you well know, we have two four day residencies, over in Virginia. 00:10:50.830 --> 00:10:57.095 Wonderful on-site, and they're they're you finally get to meet the people that you've been in classes with. 00:10:57.495 --> 00:10:59.095 It's a lot of hands on. 00:10:59.095 --> 00:11:01.675 It's a real growth, experience. 00:11:02.935 --> 00:11:09.560 And so I've been helping with those predominantly with the the first one, the SDC 300, which is kind of that midway course. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:14.540 It's kind of the bread and butter of our course, and and just such a great course. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:20.920 But one of my favorite parts is really watching what god does in people's lives. 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:26.755 You know, you kind of step into this a little bit cautiously thinking, I really don't know if I can do this. 00:11:26.755 --> 00:11:28.675 I'm not sure if this is where the lord wants me. 00:11:28.675 --> 00:11:33.175 And boy oh boy, once you take that first step in, people get comfortable. 00:11:33.315 --> 00:11:41.040 And I see that I just see the personal growth that happens in these four day, residencies that's really amazing. 00:11:41.260 --> 00:11:43.580 You know, people are nervous to be together. 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:44.480 They're excited. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:12:04.115 They're, a little bit cautious, but the joy that happens, the the healing in people's lives that hasn't even been planned, personally, you really get to know these people and kinda get to know a little bit of their stories and, honestly, just the explosion of grace in people's lives because of the program. 00:12:05.310 --> 00:12:08.850 That's probably been my my favorite thing as a faculty member. 00:12:09.630 --> 00:12:09.950 Yeah. 00:12:09.950 --> 00:12:10.770 That's great. 00:12:10.910 --> 00:12:26.485 I it's interesting because when the students come here to campus for their residencies, the first thing I'll mention that even though it's online, there's still a camaraderie between the students even before the residencies happen. 00:12:27.345 --> 00:12:31.125 They still have that community that you would wanna see in a program. 00:12:31.800 --> 00:12:48.485 But it's it's especially interesting when you see them come together for the residencies because it's basically their first time actually getting to see each other face to face even though they've known each other through the, through the discussion boards and going through the program together. 00:12:50.085 --> 00:12:55.685 But it it always seems like they're like you said, they're basically coming into their own. 00:12:55.685 --> 00:13:01.225 They're now putting the skills of knowledge into practice in this sort of live setting. 00:13:01.605 --> 00:13:10.550 And I when I was speaking with a student, she mentioned how it it gave her so much more confidence that she's like, I can actually do this. 00:13:10.550 --> 00:13:12.890 I can actually speak it out loud with people. 00:13:13.270 --> 00:13:21.455 And she felt way more, I guess, reaffirmed in that God was calling her to this ministry because of that experience. 00:13:22.075 --> 00:13:22.555 Absolutely. 00:13:22.555 --> 00:13:24.495 The residencies are so energizing. 00:13:24.715 --> 00:13:33.110 You know, the first one, you're a little bit timid, and we had the, the benefit of the the first one that I went to was back in it was before COVID. 00:13:33.170 --> 00:13:35.330 And so we were in person, and it was lovely. 00:13:35.330 --> 00:13:46.705 You're finally meeting these people that you have been in classes with, and you really get to see them in real life, and you get you get to hug them, and you get to shake hands, and they're real life people, and it's wonderful. 00:13:46.925 --> 00:13:51.905 And our second, residency was when was after COVID, so it was virtual. 00:13:51.965 --> 00:14:01.130 And even that, the learning was still phenomenal, you know, because you you think, well, but we're not together, but it still works. 00:14:01.130 --> 00:14:09.230 So all the virtual of the of the classes and that was kind of a a hesitation of mine in in the beginning thinking, how well does this work virtually? 00:14:09.530 --> 00:14:11.630 And, you know, now the whole world is virtual. 00:14:11.690 --> 00:14:12.010 Right? 00:14:12.010 --> 00:14:14.990 But back pre COVID, it was a little bit intimidating. 00:14:15.165 --> 00:14:17.325 I really wanna be in classes with these people. 00:14:17.325 --> 00:14:20.625 But, you know, the virtual classroom, it really does work. 00:14:20.765 --> 00:14:25.405 And then when you get to meet the people in in person, it's it's just the best of both. 00:14:25.405 --> 00:14:27.840 So Excellent. 00:14:29.020 --> 00:14:42.160 And, I mean, you may have already answered this, but just your experience either as an instructor or as a student, what has been what have you found to be the most helpful thing about this program? 00:14:43.775 --> 00:14:44.275 Wow. 00:14:46.575 --> 00:14:49.155 Things I mentioned, confidence building, reaffirming. 00:14:49.535 --> 00:14:53.855 You kinda you need to sit on that fence for a while thinking, lord, is this what you're calling me to? 00:14:53.855 --> 00:15:03.860 But, boy, once you once you kinda put that car in in in out of you take it out of park, right, and put it into drive and the lord starts moving you, it it just feels right. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:05.640 And and that was reaffirming. 00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:17.705 But I tell you, probably for me, the most helpful, has been just self knowledge, self awareness, and that's a benefit to anybody at any time in their lives. 00:15:18.085 --> 00:15:18.325 Right? 00:15:18.325 --> 00:15:24.565 But you take a good long look at your life, and you look at things like, how do I listen to people? 00:15:24.565 --> 00:15:34.080 You know, I think we all think we're we go into it thinking, well, I am a good listener, but boy oh boy through the program and the skills from the the therapist and things, you really realize, wow. 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:35.740 I could be a better listener. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:39.120 And you look at things like, what are what am I attached to? 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:40.080 Am I empathetic? 00:15:41.045 --> 00:15:41.845 What are my fears? 00:15:41.845 --> 00:15:42.485 What are my triggers? 00:15:42.485 --> 00:15:42.725 Right? 00:15:42.725 --> 00:15:51.065 We all have this human side of us that we're bringing in, but it's that growth in self knowledge and self awareness that you see yourself. 00:15:51.125 --> 00:15:52.905 You you know where you're at. 00:15:53.350 --> 00:15:54.570 You you improve. 00:15:54.630 --> 00:16:06.650 You've you've given yourself some tools now to work on your personal self, and and it deepens all the relationships of your life just in knowing more so who you are, how you're made. 00:16:06.995 --> 00:16:13.955 The strengths and weaknesses that God has given you, right, are all part of our story, but I can't overemphasize those human relating skills. 00:16:13.955 --> 00:16:19.255 You know, those come in handy whether it's with your husband or your grandkids or the neighbors. 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:22.840 And we all need to be better at communicating. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.160 Right? 00:16:23.160 --> 00:16:32.380 We live in a virtual world, and and people sometimes relationships, we're not as good at is putting the time and the energy into relationships. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.040 You know? 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:34.665 Am I a good listener and things? 00:16:34.745 --> 00:16:37.145 So it's probably that self awareness and the self knowledge. 00:16:37.145 --> 00:16:39.405 It was really, just a beautiful gift. 00:16:41.145 --> 00:16:41.465 Yeah. 00:16:41.465 --> 00:16:41.785 You know? 00:16:41.785 --> 00:17:08.595 And I'll even just just, along with that, I I've you know, one thing that we tell students, especially those that are in their discernment phase, is we point out to them that the first three courses, which are very beneficial for spiritual direction, they're also designed to help people in, in coming to a conclusion in their discernment phase. 00:17:08.895 --> 00:17:12.255 And so now and then, we'll have students that start the program. 00:17:12.255 --> 00:17:18.560 And by the end of the third course, they've actually discerned out, and they've realized that god has called them to a different ministry. 00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:19.060 Mhmm. 00:17:19.280 --> 00:17:27.780 But the benefit of the the benefits and the fruits of what they've learned for those three courses are still applied within those other ministries. 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:39.575 So it's not like it's been all for naught, but rather it's actually given them more clarity, and they can take what they've learned in those three courses and apply it in this new direction that god has pointed them to. 00:17:39.875 --> 00:17:40.515 Oh, amen. 00:17:40.515 --> 00:18:00.085 I've even told people just I've met in indirection or just in in in my other work in my ministries that some of the courses are worth just taking just for the course, whether it's auditing a certain course on, SCC 200 is a lot about attachments, and we all are attached to things that some we don't even know about. 00:18:00.225 --> 00:18:03.285 But just even auditing that class tells you a whole lot about yourself. 00:18:04.065 --> 00:18:17.890 It's kinda like being in being in in spiritual direction or in in therapy kind of for throughout the whole program because it's so much growth in self knowledge and self awareness and why we do what we do. 00:18:17.890 --> 00:18:23.010 It's really kind of amazing what we can learn about ourselves even even later in life. 00:18:23.010 --> 00:18:23.250 Right? 00:18:23.250 --> 00:18:28.965 We're always kind of a mystery to ourselves, but it's just a beautiful gift to be able to say, oh, that that's how I am. 00:18:28.965 --> 00:18:32.165 That's how God made me, and and and I can always do better. 00:18:32.165 --> 00:18:33.305 So it's a real gift. 00:18:34.965 --> 00:18:35.365 Yeah. 00:18:35.365 --> 00:18:37.445 So excuse me. 00:18:37.445 --> 00:18:44.830 So along with that, I mean, you shared your favorite parts about the program and the the a lot of the fruits and benefits from it. 00:18:46.010 --> 00:18:56.345 Looking back, especially your experience as a student, what is what have you found to be perhaps the most challenging parts of the program, as you were going through it? 00:18:57.605 --> 00:18:58.805 Well, that's a good question. 00:18:58.805 --> 00:19:00.885 Because looking back, it it's always easy. 00:19:00.885 --> 00:19:02.985 You you kinda just remember the good. 00:19:03.525 --> 00:19:15.980 So so thinking about, what might have been challenging you know, honestly, in the beginning, I think for a lot of us and depending on the the age of people when they start the program, the computer stuff can be a little bit intimidating to people. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.220 Right? 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.100 Can I do this? 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:19.360 Can can I figure this out? 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:21.020 And the answer is yes. 00:19:21.020 --> 00:19:23.740 If I can do it, anybody can do it. 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:30.895 And the help that you get is wonderful, but it's a little bit intimidating, right, if you've been out of school for many years as I had. 00:19:30.955 --> 00:19:32.655 So that was a little bit intimidating. 00:19:32.875 --> 00:19:43.400 And and maybe something else kind of on the same lines as being challenging is taking that good long look at yourself and thinking, okay. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:47.860 You notice people who, I'll say, don't listen well. 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:54.615 So one of the keys of the whole program in spiritual direction in life in general, you know, having a spiritual life is, can I listen? 00:19:54.615 --> 00:19:56.135 Am I able to listen to God? 00:19:56.135 --> 00:19:58.875 Am I able to listen to God in others? 00:19:59.015 --> 00:20:00.455 What are my listening skills? 00:20:00.455 --> 00:20:00.695 Right? 00:20:00.695 --> 00:20:04.795 And, again, we need those in marriage and and parenting and all those things. 00:20:05.095 --> 00:20:12.370 But once you get some of these tools, which are great gifts, you do notice things like, oh, that spouse of mine, I wish they were a better listener. 00:20:12.750 --> 00:20:16.510 Or or you look at yourself and think, lord, am am I really listening to you? 00:20:16.510 --> 00:20:20.770 So it's it's it's a it's a good and and a bad that you see, yes. 00:20:21.005 --> 00:20:25.665 I want some skills, and I and I am learning to be a a better listener and more empathetic. 00:20:25.805 --> 00:20:30.925 But, boy, I'm I'm not I'm not perfect, and I really notice when other people kinda let me down too. 00:20:30.925 --> 00:20:34.465 So it's kind of a a a funny situation. 00:20:35.005 --> 00:20:35.505 Yeah. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.680 Yeah. 00:20:36.820 --> 00:21:04.550 And, you know, I I've, and I like to just share with each student that I speak with that just like any program, there's always going to be obstacles and getting to the very end is, you know, it's it's always a, I hate to say fight, but I'll I'll say fight for the lack for lack of a better term because you're you're really pushing forward and you're putting effort and you're committing time and and and energy into the program. 00:21:05.010 --> 00:21:09.810 But, I mean, you gain so much out of it and you gain the knowledge. 00:21:09.810 --> 00:21:15.190 You're you're, you're confident in being a spiritual director and serving others. 00:21:15.665 --> 00:21:23.605 And I think the other thing is, if God has called you to this, then who are we to say no if we wanna be obedient? 00:21:24.385 --> 00:21:30.885 For a lot of people, they they they come to this because they have heard God say, now is your time to move forward into this. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:37.980 And I'll I'll speak to one more thing that you mentioned, which was just the, technology, that hurdle. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:53.305 Now and then, I'll speak with students, and they'll say, you know, I'm 61 years old or I'm I'm 70 years old, and so I'm not going to be, the same as the other you know, the the 22 year olds that are in the program. 00:21:53.605 --> 00:22:11.780 And I I chuckle a little bit because I I'd say the majority of the students I've seen come into this or maybe and some of them are in their thirties and forties, but I'd say the majority I've seen come in are maybe 50, 60, even in their seventies, and many of them are retiring into spiritual direction. 00:22:12.765 --> 00:22:19.265 And I think the reason why I've actually put a lot of thought into it and just speaking with many of them. 00:22:19.565 --> 00:22:35.710 I think for many of them, spiritual direction is there's there's benefit to having life experience when offering spiritual direction, and that's something that God gives each person as they're continuing, you know, later on in life. 00:22:35.770 --> 00:22:43.315 And that's something they can offer to others, not just with the skills and knowledge that they're learning in the program, but just their personal experience. 00:22:43.375 --> 00:22:52.515 And I think that's something I think that's why so many people that are maybe 50 plus go into this program and why they're so attracted to it. 00:22:52.990 --> 00:22:53.470 Absolutely. 00:22:53.470 --> 00:22:54.450 And don't underestimate. 00:22:54.590 --> 00:22:57.470 I'll I'll talk to the people out there, on the webinar. 00:22:57.470 --> 00:23:02.370 Don't underestimate that the wisdom that you have in the years that you've lived. 00:23:02.590 --> 00:23:03.970 I mean, that's priceless. 00:23:04.030 --> 00:23:04.270 Right? 00:23:04.270 --> 00:23:05.870 You can't put a price tag on that. 00:23:05.870 --> 00:23:10.295 And I think that's why God does call people kind of in those middle years. 00:23:10.295 --> 00:23:13.015 You've, you know, you've had your career, your first career. 00:23:13.015 --> 00:23:14.135 You've raised some kids. 00:23:14.135 --> 00:23:21.415 You've got a lot of of of street smarts and and wisdom, and you've been paying attention to the Lord working in your life. 00:23:21.415 --> 00:23:29.510 And it's just kind of a a the next step, a continuation, but it's a really beautiful flowering of you know, you you step into it thinking, okay. 00:23:29.510 --> 00:23:37.190 Well, I have a little bit of of wisdom, and and god is calling me, but, boy, then he just kind of overwhelms you. 00:23:37.190 --> 00:23:37.430 Right? 00:23:37.430 --> 00:23:40.005 He he he won't be outdone in in generosity. 00:23:40.225 --> 00:23:46.165 And you think you're kind of giving, and the things that you get from the program are just really amazing. 00:23:47.025 --> 00:23:47.505 Yeah. 00:23:47.505 --> 00:23:47.985 Yeah. 00:23:47.985 --> 00:23:53.070 And, I mean, those of us that are receiving spiritual direction, we really value that. 00:23:53.070 --> 00:23:57.170 That's something that we appreciate from spiritual directors. 00:23:58.270 --> 00:24:09.985 Just the fact that they do have that life experience so that they can they can help help us wrap our our our heads around what god is speaking to us because they've gone through that in their lives as well. 00:24:10.205 --> 00:24:10.445 Yeah. 00:24:10.445 --> 00:24:13.165 That accompaniment, you know, that pope Francis is always talking about. 00:24:13.165 --> 00:24:14.525 It really is is key. 00:24:14.525 --> 00:24:14.845 You know? 00:24:14.845 --> 00:24:17.085 Again, the the director is really the lord. 00:24:17.085 --> 00:24:17.325 Right? 00:24:17.325 --> 00:24:18.285 The holy spirit. 00:24:18.285 --> 00:24:26.960 But it's that accompanying somebody in that beautiful place of of with their relationship with the Lord is is a gift for for us as directors to be able to say, wow. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.240 I'm gonna walk with you. 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:38.775 And and the vulnerability and the growth that happens is just kind of amazing to everybody in the room, at the sessions of how god shows up and kinda works in people's lives. 00:24:38.775 --> 00:24:41.515 So it's a real, it's a real joy. 00:24:41.895 --> 00:24:42.395 Yeah. 00:24:42.615 --> 00:24:43.115 Great. 00:24:43.735 --> 00:24:49.250 Now, Janet, you may have already answered this, but I'll I'll ask just in case if there's more to it. 00:24:49.630 --> 00:24:56.290 But what has surprised you most of all about from your experience in the program? 00:25:00.385 --> 00:25:02.385 Well, you know, some silly little things. 00:25:02.385 --> 00:25:07.285 How quickly it goes, really, honestly, and how how much you do know once you kinda get into it. 00:25:08.545 --> 00:25:15.520 But I think probably overall is is how this program touches all areas of your life. 00:25:15.520 --> 00:25:18.160 So, you know, I think when you step into it, you think, okay. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:20.660 Is is God calling you to be a spiritual director? 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.440 And great. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.980 That's certainly a part of it. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:29.815 But the classes and the knowledge and the wisdom and the experiences, really all parts of your life. 00:25:29.815 --> 00:25:30.215 Right? 00:25:30.615 --> 00:25:35.675 I had a wise priest tell me at one point that, you know, everything connects on the spiritual level. 00:25:36.215 --> 00:25:49.720 And and when we when you go through the program and the classes and the and the learning, you know, right, you're going up a learning curve, it it benefits all of your relationships in in your life. 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:52.200 You're not just a better listener. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.680 You're kind of a more a more whole person. 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:56.460 You've paid attention to the Lord. 00:25:56.645 --> 00:26:00.085 You've gotten some human skills, some some narrative. 00:26:00.085 --> 00:26:04.645 You worked on your spiritual life, and it touches all parts of your life. 00:26:04.645 --> 00:26:13.620 So it's not just your when you're wearing that spiritual director hat, it's really it it's all aspects of of your life, kind of that total person. 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:32.485 And that's kind of a beautiful thing, right, to to be that that wholeness and that harmony of all the things that we've been given in the class that you can see them working in in places in your life where you you never would have thought that that skill could translate into the talks that you're given at church on a Tuesday morning or something like that. 00:26:32.545 --> 00:26:33.265 But it does. 00:26:33.265 --> 00:26:38.085 Just the skills and the wisdom, it can all comes together and really affects all of your relationships. 00:26:39.750 --> 00:26:40.150 Yeah. 00:26:40.150 --> 00:26:42.330 I mean, that makes a lot of sense to me. 00:26:42.390 --> 00:26:49.370 And I I remember last summer when we had a cohort here for the residency. 00:26:49.590 --> 00:26:58.225 So I like to just have little chats during lunch with the students just to learn about them and get to see how they're doing in the program. 00:26:58.525 --> 00:27:06.685 And I spoke with one, and I asked her what she found so so beneficial about the program so far. 00:27:06.685 --> 00:27:07.860 She's been going through it. 00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:20.980 And one thing she mentioned, and I didn't think of this, but it made a lot of sense, was how her relationship with her own spiritual director was even deeper deeply enriched by her going through this. 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:23.685 She got to know a lot more about herself. 00:27:23.685 --> 00:27:27.545 She got to know how to better communicate with her spiritual director. 00:27:28.085 --> 00:27:37.705 She got to understand a little bit more about the questions that her spiritual director was asking her because she now had a better sense of where these questions were coming from. 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:40.760 So it it enriched that relationship. 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:44.280 It allowed her to receive direction in a richer way. 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:54.485 And and for that, I think that's also even more so preparing her to to serve so well as a spiritual director to others. 00:27:54.485 --> 00:27:59.865 So that's one of the other great things that I've seen with the students that have been going through this. 00:27:59.925 --> 00:28:04.485 And I think everybody that I know that goes through this says that exact same thing. 00:28:04.485 --> 00:28:11.970 I am so much, a better directee, because I've I've sat on that other side. 00:28:11.970 --> 00:28:13.270 I've I've paid attention. 00:28:13.410 --> 00:28:16.290 I've I've kinda walked in their shoes, and it does. 00:28:16.290 --> 00:28:21.075 It makes you appreciate the process and kind of how it works. 00:28:21.075 --> 00:28:25.255 It it it gives you some spiritual awareness that you didn't have before. 00:28:26.115 --> 00:28:29.255 It helps you to understand the the benefits of the vulnerability. 00:28:29.555 --> 00:28:29.955 Right? 00:28:29.955 --> 00:28:33.795 That that sometimes it's very hard and, you know, you kinda have to tiptoe into that. 00:28:33.795 --> 00:28:43.270 But it it makes you a little bit more honest and open to be able to say that, you know, if I can't share with my director, I'm probably not gonna be able to share these things with the Lord. 00:28:43.270 --> 00:28:54.885 And it kinda opens up that place in you to be able to be kind of a little bit more vulnerable because you see the process that God that God wants to shed light wherever it is, and it does. 00:28:54.885 --> 00:28:56.585 It makes you a a better directee. 00:28:57.685 --> 00:29:02.160 One of the other areas that I notice it in is my husband and I do a lot of work with marriage prep. 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:04.160 We have for about thirty years. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:14.260 And, you know, every probably once a month for a weekend, we'll do talks, whether it's communications or temperaments or or, giving and receiving love, and that's kind of been our ministry. 00:29:14.835 --> 00:29:29.830 But taking this class and being kinda certified as a spiritual director has really helped in the talks that we give, and it's so interesting to see the the young people coming in who you know, anybody born after 1997 are these digital natives, I think they call them. 00:29:29.830 --> 00:29:32.090 And, you know, their whole life has been technology. 00:29:32.710 --> 00:29:41.190 And it's relationships don't come, I'll say, as easily because they're they're tied to a lot of that the equipment. 00:29:41.190 --> 00:29:41.350 Right? 00:29:41.350 --> 00:29:42.890 The social media, the phones. 00:29:43.275 --> 00:29:47.775 And so relationships, there's some groundwork that needs to be laid in relationships. 00:29:48.635 --> 00:30:08.270 And my, experience in the program has helped me to kinda better, help them learn about relationships, learn about the vulnerability and the honesty and the triggering and all those human things that happen in all of our relationships, but particularly people young people and people preparing for marriage. 00:30:08.570 --> 00:30:14.755 It's just huge, and they're so grateful for the listening tools, and understanding relationships. 00:30:14.815 --> 00:30:15.055 Right? 00:30:15.055 --> 00:30:20.835 Because all of our life is is built on relationships, and that's been a very beautiful gift in my life as well. 00:30:22.430 --> 00:30:22.750 Great. 00:30:22.750 --> 00:30:23.570 Very good. 00:30:24.510 --> 00:30:30.610 You know, one one other question I have for you, and then I I'd love to just share all the details with students. 00:30:31.070 --> 00:30:35.730 But, again, thank you so much for answering these questions for me. 00:30:36.615 --> 00:30:41.895 So what advice would you give to every every guest that we have here? 00:30:41.895 --> 00:30:47.115 Anybody that's looking into this program, what advice would you give them as they're looking into this program? 00:30:48.230 --> 00:30:50.570 Well, first thing I'd say, obviously, is to pray. 00:30:50.630 --> 00:30:51.910 And I'm sure they all are. 00:30:51.910 --> 00:30:57.110 If they've gotten this far, if they're coming to a webinar, they're feeling that nudge, pray about it. 00:30:57.110 --> 00:30:57.430 Right? 00:30:57.430 --> 00:31:00.630 The Lord if if there's that desire there, the Lord's gonna answer it. 00:31:00.630 --> 00:31:02.090 He wants to answer it. 00:31:02.345 --> 00:31:02.745 So pray. 00:31:02.745 --> 00:31:07.005 But maybe my next tip would be just take the first next step. 00:31:07.305 --> 00:31:07.545 Right? 00:31:07.545 --> 00:31:12.925 There's nothing there's no harm in taking a first class or in filling out an application. 00:31:13.225 --> 00:31:17.325 But sometimes we, we can discern for a long time in life. 00:31:17.625 --> 00:31:20.990 I And, you know, we hate to get to the end of our life and and have those regrets. 00:31:20.990 --> 00:31:22.590 I, you know, woulda, coulda, shoulda. 00:31:22.590 --> 00:31:23.550 I wish I'da done this. 00:31:23.550 --> 00:31:24.930 I wish I'da tried this. 00:31:25.150 --> 00:31:27.410 And the worst that can happen, you take a class. 00:31:28.510 --> 00:31:30.910 Maybe you find that god has called you someplace different. 00:31:30.910 --> 00:31:31.410 Great. 00:31:31.625 --> 00:31:41.565 What you've learned in the class, the friendships that you've made, the connections, the doors that god has opened that you couldn't have possibly imagined wouldn't have happened if you hadn't said yes. 00:31:41.705 --> 00:31:46.745 So I'd say maybe take that take that next first step and don't spend too much time discerning. 00:31:46.745 --> 00:31:46.905 Right? 00:31:46.905 --> 00:31:52.080 Because some some of us, myself included, there there are professional fence sitters. 00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:52.320 Right? 00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:55.280 You can sit on that fence and kinda go, oh, it's not perfect. 00:31:55.280 --> 00:31:56.420 I don't really know. 00:31:56.520 --> 00:32:00.480 I I wish I could have that whole path kind of lit up for me. 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.360 And who is it? 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:06.965 I think it's John Henry Newman that talks about he just the Lord just puts the light on the next step sometimes. 00:32:07.105 --> 00:32:08.705 And maybe this is the next step. 00:32:08.705 --> 00:32:12.565 The fact that people are here listening to the webinar, they're feeling something. 00:32:12.865 --> 00:32:13.265 Great. 00:32:13.265 --> 00:32:14.705 Take that next first step. 00:32:14.705 --> 00:32:15.685 Pray about it. 00:32:16.020 --> 00:32:16.760 Maybe apply. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:21.400 Maybe you talk to somebody in the program, but maybe you just kinda start out and say, okay, lord. 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:25.240 I'm gonna move in this direction until I feel you're calling me someplace else. 00:32:25.780 --> 00:32:27.700 And, again, he's not gonna give you all the steps. 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:38.305 He's not gonna take you all the way through everything and give you that crystal ball of what life is gonna be like five years down the road as a spiritual director, but he is gonna take you step by step through the program. 00:32:38.305 --> 00:32:40.645 So I'd say, do yourself a favor. 00:32:41.540 --> 00:32:46.580 It's so much personal growth and so much self awareness that you can't go wrong. 00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:49.160 So pray maybe take the first next step. 00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:50.600 Yeah. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.160 Great. 00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:56.680 And I'll I'll even share for all the the guests here that, and we'll go through all the details. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:33:01.915 But for those of you that did wanna take that next step of applying, we can waive the fee for you. 00:33:02.055 --> 00:33:08.155 We'll make sure it's a free application, and and I'll I'll share with you how we can do that. 00:33:08.535 --> 00:33:13.160 So, with that, why don't we just go through all the details of the program? 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:20.520 That way you know exactly for all the guests, you'll know exactly what to expect and how the program works. 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:29.045 And, Janet, if if you have any any thoughts, any insight into the details as I'm going through it, please feel free to weigh in on that. 00:33:29.045 --> 00:33:30.105 That would be helpful. 00:33:31.285 --> 00:33:43.750 And also for all the guests, as question as questions are coming to you as I'm going through the information, drop those questions in the q and a or in the chat, and Janet and I are here to answer those questions for you. 00:33:44.850 --> 00:33:57.485 So, you know, we talked about the the mission of the school, what makes this program so unique, and, just preparing students for the capability to serve as spiritual directions. 00:33:58.105 --> 00:34:07.885 But looking at the activity as a student, so we had mentioned that it's, there are six courses in the program, and they're done online. 00:34:08.330 --> 00:34:10.090 So there's flexibility there. 00:34:10.090 --> 00:34:11.710 And they're also done asynchronously. 00:34:13.050 --> 00:34:18.270 For many students, I ask, you know, are you familiar with the term synchronous versus asynchronous? 00:34:18.650 --> 00:34:26.215 Many of them, this is their first time learning about this phrase, but I think it's probably been more common since so many things are now done online. 00:34:26.835 --> 00:34:33.475 Synchronous would be an example of that is where you have a group of students that are logging into Zoom for their class. 00:34:33.475 --> 00:34:42.000 So we typically imagine them all on screen with their instructor and their meeting at a specific time for a certain amount of time, together. 00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:44.700 In this program, it's a little bit differently. 00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.760 It's done asynchronously. 00:34:47.020 --> 00:34:52.535 So this means as a student, you can log into your class at any time that works within your schedule. 00:34:53.315 --> 00:35:04.615 And, there might be some moments where you have, groups where you're you're meeting at certain times that you all coordinate with, but, officially, the the formatting is done asynchronously. 00:35:05.475 --> 00:35:08.990 So that means you can log in to your classes at whatever time works for you. 00:35:08.990 --> 00:35:11.570 You'll still have your assignments, your modules. 00:35:12.910 --> 00:35:20.610 You'll still have deadlines for your assignments, but it's up to you as far as when you wanna sit down and attack, that work. 00:35:22.265 --> 00:35:30.125 So the other thing is that while all the six courses are done online, there are also a couple of face to face components. 00:35:30.505 --> 00:35:37.730 One would be the, two four day residencies, and we'll go into the logistics of that in a moment. 00:35:38.110 --> 00:35:40.930 The other would be the sixty practicum hours. 00:35:41.390 --> 00:35:52.325 And this is actually very, I think, beneficial part because this is where it's boots on the ground where you get to now serve as a spiritual director as you're completing the program. 00:35:53.585 --> 00:36:01.045 And in the program, we're preparing students on how to make those connections, how to find directees to work with so you're not left stranded. 00:36:01.585 --> 00:36:08.940 But this is a great way for you to now begin this process, start your ministry as a spiritual director and working with people. 00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:12.620 And you'll also have your instructors that will serve as supervisors. 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:16.860 So you can, you'll you'll talk with them about your successes. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:23.385 You'll go through how the spiritual direction is going, what you're going what sort of things are coming up in that. 00:36:23.525 --> 00:36:25.705 Of course, leaving names out because of confidentiality. 00:36:26.725 --> 00:36:30.345 But, this way, they can help navigate you through this process. 00:36:30.485 --> 00:36:38.080 And if there are any hiccups taking place during the during the, practicum, they can help navigate you through that as well. 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:46.480 So the next thing would be, these are the six courses I just wanted to share with you very briefly. 00:36:47.285 --> 00:36:52.425 And, these are sequential, so you're going in order, and you're taking one course at a time. 00:36:52.805 --> 00:36:54.665 Each course lasts for eight weeks. 00:36:55.445 --> 00:37:02.265 And I'll just point out for a moment, and you can look at the on the website, we have the course descriptions as well. 00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:11.420 But I'll point out for a moment, SDC 300, the third course, and SDC 500, the, the fifth course. 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:19.185 Janet mentioned that her role is primarily working with residencies for 300. 00:37:20.125 --> 00:37:27.345 But this is where the the first residency happens, and that happens during week seven of those eight weeks in that course. 00:37:28.445 --> 00:37:36.380 And, I just I I I think looking at the time frame, that's about nine or ten months from when you start the program. 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:40.540 So there's a lot of time between when you begin and when your first residency falls. 00:37:40.540 --> 00:37:49.835 So that gives you time to let your families know, let your employer know, let your superior know, whoever it is, so that you can prepare for those four days on campus. 00:37:51.495 --> 00:37:55.035 In the fifth course, that's where the second residency falls as well. 00:37:55.415 --> 00:38:00.635 But that also that that residency serves as a launch into your practicum hours. 00:38:01.090 --> 00:38:03.430 So your practicum begins during the fifth course. 00:38:03.490 --> 00:38:09.510 So, again, you'll we'll make sure that you have plenty of time to prepare for that process as well. 00:38:13.225 --> 00:38:19.245 Now we talked a lot about the residencies, but I'll I'll just share for a moment about how this works. 00:38:20.025 --> 00:38:22.765 So, again, they happen during the third and fifth course. 00:38:23.065 --> 00:38:24.265 They happen on campus. 00:38:24.265 --> 00:38:25.545 We're in Sterling, Virginia. 00:38:26.510 --> 00:38:33.950 If you're not familiar with the area, I live in DC, and it takes me about thirty five minutes to get from home to campus. 00:38:33.950 --> 00:38:35.330 So that's around the distance. 00:38:36.110 --> 00:38:38.610 But we're about a five minute drive from Dulles Airport. 00:38:39.070 --> 00:38:47.855 Just to give you an idea, when I'm on campus and I need to go to the post office, I'll just go to Dulles because it's the nearest one, and it it's the most convenient. 00:38:48.315 --> 00:38:50.075 So it's right around the corner. 00:38:50.075 --> 00:38:53.615 So for those of you that would be flying in, you'd be coming in from Dulles. 00:38:54.050 --> 00:39:00.790 There'd be a a, shuttle that would pick up, pick you up and take you to, your hotel. 00:39:00.850 --> 00:39:04.470 And students are lodged at a Marriott hotel just around the corner. 00:39:04.850 --> 00:39:08.790 It's, it's walking distance, so we keep everything in very close proximity. 00:39:11.035 --> 00:39:20.655 You know, one other thing I'll mention, by the way, is now and then I'll get questions from students, and they'll ask this is them speaking. 00:39:20.715 --> 00:39:31.670 What if I can't make the residency because I have a wedding or I have a surgery that's planned or, you know, some other, event that's planned that's going to happen during these residencies. 00:39:32.610 --> 00:39:36.470 If something like that happens, I always tell them that's fine. 00:39:36.690 --> 00:39:37.250 You know? 00:39:37.250 --> 00:39:38.630 Life still goes on. 00:39:38.850 --> 00:39:47.725 And if it's something like that and, you know, making sure that you you're at your son or daughter's wedding or whatever, you know, surgeries are very important. 00:39:48.345 --> 00:39:50.985 If it's something like that, take a leave of absence. 00:39:50.985 --> 00:39:54.205 You can always pause the program if you absolutely need to. 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:56.160 It just means that you're pausing it. 00:39:56.160 --> 00:39:57.060 You're not withdrawing. 00:39:57.600 --> 00:40:02.900 But then when you're ready to jump back in, you would get reinstated, and you'd pick up from where you left off. 00:40:03.040 --> 00:40:13.395 And there are residencies happening at every, every term, So it's not like you'll have to wait until a full year from when you were initially going to do it. 00:40:13.855 --> 00:40:15.875 You just pick up from where you left off. 00:40:18.175 --> 00:40:19.955 Anything you wanted to add, Janet? 00:40:22.700 --> 00:40:23.020 Yeah. 00:40:23.020 --> 00:40:25.500 The flexibility, as you mentioned, is so key. 00:40:25.500 --> 00:40:27.680 I know many people who would start the program. 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.620 Something happened. 00:40:28.620 --> 00:40:32.720 A child had something happened, as you mentioned, a wedding or an illness. 00:40:33.180 --> 00:40:42.715 And and the flexibility in being able to stop, pause, as you say, and start back up, I know many people who have had to take advantage of that, and it's fine. 00:40:42.715 --> 00:40:47.115 You end up then having friends in in two different cohorts when you restart again. 00:40:47.115 --> 00:40:51.775 So it's a it's a win win, but it's a great gift to be able to pause when you need to. 00:40:52.990 --> 00:40:53.490 Yeah. 00:40:53.790 --> 00:40:54.270 Great. 00:40:54.270 --> 00:40:54.990 Very good. 00:40:54.990 --> 00:40:56.370 Appreciate you sharing that. 00:40:58.270 --> 00:40:59.630 So the time commitment. 00:40:59.630 --> 00:41:13.705 I know this is a big part for many of you, making sure that you can actually commit to it while you still have your responsibilities and your, you know, being there for your family or being there within your ministry or whatever it may be. 00:41:14.005 --> 00:41:21.305 So just looking at that a little bit deeper, we had mentioned that you're only taking one course per eight week term. 00:41:22.570 --> 00:41:33.550 Along with that, usually, this isn't set in stone, but the the courses are designed to take somewhere between six to nine hours per week more or less. 00:41:34.330 --> 00:41:44.695 So I would suggest if you're looking into this, see if that's something that you can do and maybe being on the more conservative side, if you could spare nine hours per week. 00:41:45.395 --> 00:41:50.215 If there's a lot going on, see where you can, make that time. 00:41:50.435 --> 00:41:54.860 Another thing is just having your family, having your community, whatever it is. 00:41:54.860 --> 00:41:58.160 See if there's any sort of, support with that. 00:41:58.380 --> 00:42:16.155 I always tell students that if they're concerned about, you know, the the responsibilities they have, but if they just needed a little bit of help in order to make sure those things were covered while still being able to go through the program, ask that community that you're surrounded by just so that you can make this possible. 00:42:17.975 --> 00:42:23.195 Another thing worth mentioning is that there are breaks between every course that you're taking. 00:42:23.620 --> 00:42:30.020 So once you complete an eight week course, you go into a break that lasts between six to ten weeks. 00:42:30.020 --> 00:42:35.460 It depends on where we are in the academic calendar as far as, how many weeks it will be. 00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:40.395 But these breaks have been very beneficial for students on for a number of reasons. 00:42:41.335 --> 00:42:50.395 One is that it gives students the ability to take a step back and reflect on the content that they're learning and just better absorb that information. 00:42:51.510 --> 00:43:09.795 Another thing is that the major holidays happen during the breaks, so you're not having to juggle Thanksgiving week or Christmas week or holy week with assignments, but rather you can just put your focus into those joyful occasions and those moments where we need to, reflect on God more. 00:43:10.495 --> 00:43:16.595 And the last thing is that it it's a pay as you go program, and we'll look at the cost in a moment. 00:43:16.975 --> 00:43:20.835 But the way that payment works is students are paying course by course. 00:43:21.600 --> 00:43:28.960 And so having these breaks gives students a chance to come up for air to breathe more and replenish their funds as they're going through it. 00:43:28.960 --> 00:43:31.300 So it makes it even more affordable for them. 00:43:31.600 --> 00:43:38.735 And so for the whole program with the breaks and the courses together, it ends up taking about two years to complete. 00:43:44.795 --> 00:43:53.210 So looking at the cost, and I'll also preface, there could be room to reduce this cost that you're looking at per course. 00:43:54.150 --> 00:43:58.970 And if you wanted to talk about that with me one on one, I'd be happy to go through the details. 00:43:59.110 --> 00:44:04.445 But as a baseline, the cost per course is 778. 00:44:04.585 --> 00:44:06.825 Again, you're paying that one at a time. 00:44:06.825 --> 00:44:12.900 You're not having to pay one well, you're not paying for the two years and one lump sum, but you're paying as you go. 00:44:13.760 --> 00:44:16.180 So it's $7.78 per course. 00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:21.140 And then per residency, it's 1,000, and that'll cover your lodging. 00:44:21.280 --> 00:44:23.040 It'll cover your meals. 00:44:23.040 --> 00:44:24.340 It'll cover your materials. 00:44:25.055 --> 00:44:27.875 So the only thing that you're responsible for would be your travel. 00:44:29.775 --> 00:44:43.320 Oh, you know, another thing I'll mention, the way that the funding goes just to to carry on with that is, students are are invoiced about, I think it's about a week or two before each class begins. 00:44:43.700 --> 00:44:56.040 And then you have thirty days to pay that balance, but that gives you time to if you wanted to pay it in increments within those thirty days or if you wanted to just pay it all upfront within those thirty days, either one would be fine. 00:45:00.635 --> 00:45:05.755 Now as far as applications go, and we have a start date coming up. 00:45:05.755 --> 00:45:07.695 We have three start dates per year. 00:45:07.915 --> 00:45:12.810 Right now, we're looking at the summer term, and that's going to start on May 24. 00:45:13.750 --> 00:45:15.190 And I'll share very briefly. 00:45:15.190 --> 00:45:18.870 This is the perfect time to apply for it for a number of reasons. 00:45:18.870 --> 00:45:32.215 And one of them being that the sooner you apply, that that would give you more room to enter into the program being accepted earlier, but more so that'll give you more time to do your orientation. 00:45:32.915 --> 00:45:43.880 And I found that students that complete their orientation in advance, they're able to thrive way more in their first class because they've been able to take their time with it. 00:45:43.880 --> 00:45:46.680 They don't have to sit down for the three hours at a time. 00:45:46.680 --> 00:45:50.860 They can break it up into, you know, half hours during the day. 00:45:51.685 --> 00:46:01.225 And then, also, they're not having to juggle the the orientation and their first course right at the very beginning, but they've already gotten through that that orientation. 00:46:01.605 --> 00:46:06.105 So that's the best advice I could give someone that's looking to start. 00:46:06.350 --> 00:46:12.050 I guarantee you, you're going to feel way more comfortable if you get that start that step completed early. 00:46:12.750 --> 00:46:16.430 But when it comes to the application, it's fairly simple. 00:46:16.430 --> 00:46:21.390 There's only three steps, and the first step is the application form. 00:46:21.390 --> 00:46:24.285 And it's a short form. 00:46:24.285 --> 00:46:25.125 It's not a a standard college application. 00:46:25.125 --> 00:46:30.485 This is something you could probably get through within ten minutes, and we can waive the fee for you. 00:46:30.485 --> 00:46:33.145 There's a code at the bottom in that red box. 00:46:33.365 --> 00:46:39.720 So if you're looking to apply and if you'd like to do that, you can go to the website and apply, or you can reach out to me. 00:46:39.720 --> 00:46:42.220 I'd be happy to send you all the information. 00:46:43.080 --> 00:46:45.260 So the application would be the first step. 00:46:46.040 --> 00:46:48.860 The second step would be getting your recommendations. 00:46:49.815 --> 00:47:01.675 So one would need to come from your spiritual director that you've been working with, you rather, you have to have been working with a spiritual director for at least a year within the past three years. 00:47:02.375 --> 00:47:07.700 But if you currently have a spiritual director, then one would have to come from your spiritual director. 00:47:08.160 --> 00:47:13.620 And then another one would come from your pastor, or your superior, whichever it may be. 00:47:14.000 --> 00:47:20.420 And the third one could come from pretty much anyone that knows you well, with the exception of it being a family member. 00:47:20.480 --> 00:47:21.555 So it could be a friend. 00:47:21.555 --> 00:47:28.295 It could be someone at your parish, in your apostolic, a colleague, really anyone that knows you well. 00:47:28.995 --> 00:47:34.615 And then once we have these first two steps done, the final step would be a group interview. 00:47:35.030 --> 00:47:37.130 And this happens over Zoom. 00:47:37.590 --> 00:47:42.390 It would be you along with a few other applicants, and you're not there to compete for a seat. 00:47:42.390 --> 00:47:58.145 You're just there to, to demonstrate the two faculty members that will be facilitating it your your, your interpersonal skills and your listening skills and just a chance for them to get to know you more. 00:47:58.525 --> 00:48:00.285 And it it only goes for an hour. 00:48:00.285 --> 00:48:07.180 And then once that's done, they'll come to a conclusion on your admission status, and we would let you know the very next day. 00:48:07.800 --> 00:48:14.940 So very short application process, one that takes people typically one to two weeks to complete. 00:48:15.080 --> 00:48:15.900 Very simple. 00:48:16.120 --> 00:48:20.220 And, again, I'm also here to support you through that process should you have any questions. 00:48:23.455 --> 00:48:25.555 So that brings us to the end. 00:48:26.015 --> 00:48:27.795 This is my contact information. 00:48:28.015 --> 00:48:36.730 So, again, if you have any questions about the program, if you wanted to go through this information with me one on one, I'm here for that. 00:48:36.730 --> 00:48:39.550 I'm always happy to answer any questions that I can. 00:48:40.810 --> 00:48:49.630 And so with that, I'll I'll open up the floor to all of you that are here to learn about the program in case you have any questions for me or for Janet. 00:48:53.295 --> 00:48:54.335 I'll give you a moment. 00:48:54.335 --> 00:48:58.115 Sometimes it takes a moment to come up with those questions. 00:49:06.510 --> 00:49:18.785 And, Janet, if there's anything else that you'd like to share that we haven't covered just to, help the students in figuring out if this is the right program for them, anything you'd like to share at all would be great. 00:49:19.165 --> 00:49:25.185 One of the things that that struck me is when you were going through the program, the the breaks in between the classes. 00:49:25.565 --> 00:49:29.725 It it the pace of the classes just in general, it works. 00:49:29.725 --> 00:49:31.185 It works in your life. 00:49:31.690 --> 00:49:32.510 It's not overwhelming. 00:49:34.330 --> 00:49:36.890 The six to nine hours a week, that's about it. 00:49:36.890 --> 00:49:44.410 You know, some some weeks are are six hour weeks and other weeks, if you're reading some of the optional material, you know, or or or nine hours a week. 00:49:44.410 --> 00:49:46.855 But it it doesn't feel like homework. 00:49:46.995 --> 00:49:52.355 It feels like life and and working on your relationship with God. 00:49:52.355 --> 00:49:57.015 So it doesn't really feel as academic as as it might sound on paper. 00:49:57.620 --> 00:50:00.920 Those breaks in between the classes are so key. 00:50:01.380 --> 00:50:06.360 Lots of the we're given so much material and information, and some of it, as I mentioned, is optional. 00:50:06.580 --> 00:50:15.685 And those breaks in between the classes give you lots of times to just do some leisure reading and and learn some things for your personal growth, and it's just a real gift. 00:50:15.685 --> 00:50:23.125 And then having the holidays free from, being in school, just the whole timing of the of the program works. 00:50:23.125 --> 00:50:40.230 And and, honestly, to be done in those two years, several of the programs that I looked at, and I I still think that they are, were more like three years that had, a little bit more of an intense schedule, some demands that that I didn't think were were necessary. 00:50:40.635 --> 00:50:48.075 And this program, by far and away, makes sense in your life because it it doesn't go on for too long. 00:50:48.075 --> 00:50:52.795 You're you're immediately after those, classes, as you mentioned, in in the fifth class. 00:50:52.795 --> 00:50:54.015 You're starting your practicum. 00:50:54.155 --> 00:51:00.030 You're starting to to direct all under the guise of of supervision with your professors and things. 00:51:00.030 --> 00:51:02.370 So you're never left kind of by yourself. 00:51:02.430 --> 00:51:10.910 Even after you graduate, there's so much help and so many resources and so many connections to stay connected and to continue to get help and learn. 00:51:10.910 --> 00:51:14.185 So, yeah, just so many good things about the program. 00:51:16.005 --> 00:51:16.485 Great. 00:51:16.485 --> 00:51:17.305 Very good. 00:51:17.845 --> 00:51:18.485 Well, let's see. 00:51:18.485 --> 00:51:23.765 It looks like we have one question, and this is from Joan. 00:51:23.765 --> 00:51:29.610 Joan asked, please repeat the specifics, the requirements of spiritual direction. 00:51:29.610 --> 00:51:30.350 Thank you. 00:51:30.570 --> 00:51:30.810 Yeah. 00:51:30.810 --> 00:51:32.010 Great question, Joan. 00:51:32.010 --> 00:51:46.105 So, you know, the first thing as far as the the baseline requirement, we're looking for students that are ready to answer the call from God to become spiritual directors. 00:51:46.485 --> 00:51:53.225 And one thing is that it's important that every student that goes into this has had their own experience with their own spiritual director. 00:51:53.765 --> 00:52:02.930 And so if you have had a year of experience with a spiritual director, at least a year, then that's a great place to begin. 00:52:03.550 --> 00:52:09.310 If it's been more than three years since you've had a spiritual director, the door is not closed to you by any means. 00:52:09.310 --> 00:52:10.690 I wanna highlight that. 00:52:10.750 --> 00:52:16.085 It might mean taking a little bit more time to regain that experience if it's been a little while. 00:52:17.265 --> 00:52:22.625 If you if right now you're in the search for a spiritual director for the first time, let me know. 00:52:22.625 --> 00:52:25.665 But I I'm always happy to help students in finding one. 00:52:25.665 --> 00:52:27.205 I have resources available. 00:52:27.560 --> 00:52:29.180 I do this for a lot of people. 00:52:29.560 --> 00:52:38.220 So even if it means that you're not ready to apply right now, I'm always happy to help people even if it's just for their own benefit in their own spiritual life. 00:52:39.000 --> 00:52:45.365 But for those that have the recent experience, it's important that that that part's there. 00:52:46.065 --> 00:52:51.045 And, also, it's important that students that are going through the program continue to have spiritual direction. 00:52:51.505 --> 00:52:53.685 So that's another, prerequisite. 00:52:54.900 --> 00:52:59.300 And then as far as the application goes, one would be doing the application form. 00:52:59.300 --> 00:53:00.840 That would be the first step. 00:53:01.220 --> 00:53:03.540 And, again, it's on our website. 00:53:03.540 --> 00:53:06.120 If you want me to send it to you, I'm happy to do that. 00:53:06.180 --> 00:53:10.120 And then also the the, recommendations are needed. 00:53:10.295 --> 00:53:18.875 They're just Google forms that they would fill out, so they don't have to sit down and write letters, but rather they would fill out a short Google form, and it would get sent to your application automatically. 00:53:19.495 --> 00:53:21.595 And then the last step would be a group interview. 00:53:21.975 --> 00:53:25.450 And this is something that only happens for an hour. 00:53:25.450 --> 00:53:33.230 It's always on a Monday night, and I always make sure to schedule it with a student on an evening that works for them. 00:53:33.690 --> 00:53:35.550 So, again, very doable. 00:53:36.170 --> 00:53:43.275 Always flexible if, you know, if there's any sort of accommodations that you need to have with this, let me know. 00:53:43.275 --> 00:53:45.695 I'm happy to see what we can do for you. 00:53:46.795 --> 00:53:48.655 But that's a great question, Joan. 00:53:49.675 --> 00:53:51.035 Hopefully, that answers that. 00:53:51.035 --> 00:53:56.840 If there are any other questions, I'd be happy to answer that or or Janet's here as well. 00:53:58.820 --> 00:53:59.380 Let's see. 00:53:59.380 --> 00:54:01.240 We have about a couple more minutes. 00:54:02.660 --> 00:54:06.135 Janet, I'll ask one maybe I I can ask one for you. 00:54:06.695 --> 00:54:10.155 I've asked so many so far, but I guess one more won't hurt. 00:54:11.655 --> 00:54:21.760 For some students, one question they have is when I speak with them, they say and these are for the folks that are that are laypeople that might not have a vocation in ministry. 00:54:22.860 --> 00:54:34.615 And sometimes they're a little bit hesitant to go into this because they might feel that spiritual direction is only for those that are consecrated religious or in the diaconate or something like that. 00:54:34.835 --> 00:54:40.355 What would you say to those students that are laypeople that this is not their vocation? 00:54:40.355 --> 00:54:49.400 Maybe they're married or maybe they're, you know, working full time in a secular world, but still feel the call to become spiritual directors? 00:54:50.020 --> 00:54:51.140 That's a great question. 00:54:51.140 --> 00:54:52.980 And and, honestly, let let's face it. 00:54:52.980 --> 00:54:54.600 None of none of us are qualified. 00:54:54.660 --> 00:54:55.160 Right? 00:54:55.380 --> 00:54:58.500 But God equips the call. 00:54:58.500 --> 00:55:00.440 He doesn't call the equipped. 00:55:01.605 --> 00:55:04.565 I I think everybody in the program has felt that at one point. 00:55:04.565 --> 00:55:05.765 I'm not sure I can do this. 00:55:05.765 --> 00:55:07.065 I'm not sure I'm worthy. 00:55:07.925 --> 00:55:13.765 But the fact that he he nudges and he calls, that's where, the obedience comes in. 00:55:13.765 --> 00:55:14.165 Right? 00:55:14.165 --> 00:55:24.400 And we do have, as laypeople, a lot of life experience, a lot of relationship experience that can be so beneficial to people in spiritual direction. 00:55:24.400 --> 00:55:36.145 I have many, young women that I direct who come to me because I am a mom and a wife and somebody that works in in ministry and just a a plain old lay person. 00:55:36.145 --> 00:55:41.505 I think sometimes the priest and the religious can be a little bit intimidating to certain kind of people, which is fine. 00:55:41.505 --> 00:55:46.720 So they are going to go to a lay director, and and some people seek out lay spiritual directors. 00:55:46.720 --> 00:55:49.840 So, yeah, don't ever think that you're not qualified again. 00:55:49.840 --> 00:55:52.640 If God's calling you, he's gonna take care of that. 00:55:52.640 --> 00:55:54.180 So be bold. 00:55:54.480 --> 00:55:54.800 Yeah. 00:55:54.800 --> 00:55:56.580 I I appreciate you saying that. 00:55:56.640 --> 00:56:16.880 I always like to highlight to people that saint saint JP two, his first spiritual director, in helping him figure out that he was called to a life of ministry in in, in the priesthood came from a secular a layperson who is a spiritual director. 00:56:17.500 --> 00:56:19.840 So you never know who you're going to influence. 00:56:20.700 --> 00:56:26.880 And one of our students that I did a webinar with recently, father Devereaux, he is a priest. 00:56:27.100 --> 00:56:42.345 His spiritual director is a, is a laywoman, and he found that to be very beneficial to him, just because it it helped him grasp a new understanding of the people that he serves in the diaconate. 00:56:43.100 --> 00:56:46.400 So, anyway, I hope this has been helpful for you. 00:56:47.580 --> 00:56:56.075 Again, if if you feel like you're called to this, like Janet said, this is a great opportunity to take that first step and just applying. 00:56:56.215 --> 00:56:59.035 And, again, I'm here to answer any questions that you have. 00:57:00.455 --> 00:57:01.755 So I think that's that. 00:57:01.895 --> 00:57:03.975 Janet, thank you so much for speaking with me. 00:57:03.975 --> 00:57:09.530 I really appreciate your time and being able to share with everyone about your role in the program. 00:57:09.830 --> 00:57:10.390 Thanks, Greg. 00:57:10.390 --> 00:57:11.190 It was my pleasure. 00:57:11.190 --> 00:57:12.170 I appreciate it. 00:57:12.390 --> 00:57:12.870 Alright. 00:57:12.870 --> 00:57:13.670 Thank you. 00:57:13.670 --> 00:57:14.070 Alright. 00:57:14.070 --> 00:57:15.050 Take care, everyone. 00:57:15.110 --> 00:57:17.050 Have a great night, and god bless.