WEBVTT 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.800 Well, good morning. 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:22.315 I have the wonderful opportunity while we're here at the amazing event, the Eucharistic Congress, and ran into an individual who just graduated from our spiritual direction program. 00:00:22.375 --> 00:00:27.115 Her name is Natalie Gontus, and she is from San Jose, California. 00:00:27.255 --> 00:00:33.180 So I'm gonna ask Natalie a few questions about her journey to share, on our DMU website. 00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:34.440 Thanks again. 00:00:34.440 --> 00:00:35.980 I really appreciate you doing this. 00:00:36.120 --> 00:00:36.600 Thanks. 00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:43.100 So the first question I always like to ask is how did you come to know and find out about Divine Mercy University? 00:00:45.405 --> 00:00:52.465 From a legionary of Christ priest, he's a friend of us, and he always knew that I'm a good listener. 00:00:53.165 --> 00:00:59.920 He just he said, why don't you do He so he he was doing it, and he asked, why don't you do it? 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:03.360 And I just said that way, why not? 00:01:03.660 --> 00:01:04.160 Exactly. 00:01:04.380 --> 00:01:13.045 And there's such a shortage of spiritual directors, and so we probably put that, idea in your head because they we need more people doing spiritual direction. 00:01:13.045 --> 00:01:14.345 So that's a good reason. 00:01:14.885 --> 00:01:22.745 So when you started looking into the program, what were the major attractions that you saw that would work for you in the spiritual direction certificate? 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:25.340 I'm always was, like, a good listener. 00:01:26.360 --> 00:01:29.100 And, you know, God it's in God's timing. 00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:34.540 So I was in a journey, like, I was going deeper into my relationship with God. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:36.200 So I don't I felt something. 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:37.160 I felt something. 00:01:37.160 --> 00:01:44.875 I didn't know really where this journey was, but it's a life transforming journey. 00:01:45.815 --> 00:01:49.355 Did you grow with all the papers that you had to write and all the information? 00:01:49.415 --> 00:01:53.195 Did you find that that was a real growth experience for you in spiritual direction? 00:01:53.940 --> 00:01:56.360 I went into it not doing anything. 00:01:57.380 --> 00:02:01.140 And it's been, like, one year, I started receiving spiritual direction. 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:09.895 So I I'm new to this whole but when you believe that God wants you now at this place and you feel it. 00:02:09.895 --> 00:02:10.855 Like, I felt, yes. 00:02:10.855 --> 00:02:11.335 Why not? 00:02:11.335 --> 00:02:15.655 I didn't know where I I am going, but he knew I was ready. 00:02:15.655 --> 00:02:19.175 You said twice you're a good listener, and you listened to the right person, didn't you? 00:02:19.175 --> 00:02:19.675 God. 00:02:20.455 --> 00:02:21.915 And the horn is spinning. 00:02:21.975 --> 00:02:22.535 I love it. 00:02:22.535 --> 00:02:22.935 I love it. 00:02:22.935 --> 00:02:23.435 Endless. 00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:35.760 So since you really didn't know about this type of education, once you got into it, what were the three things that really helped you succeed in spiritual directions? 00:02:38.795 --> 00:02:40.155 It's a powerful journey. 00:02:40.155 --> 00:02:47.595 So first, I feel the first one was, like, to listen to the healing that I went through. 00:02:47.595 --> 00:02:50.415 It was, like, in a healing journey for myself. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:52.800 Who am I? 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:57.100 To be able to listen more to others. 00:02:57.100 --> 00:03:05.600 So, first, it was a healing journey for me, and believing more in the Holy Spirit presence, like, to listen to the Holy Spirit. 00:03:06.055 --> 00:03:08.795 So it was powerful journey for me. 00:03:09.335 --> 00:03:21.030 And then learning the skills, it's amazing how the Holy Spirit works through me to listen to the others, to go deeper, for them to go deeper and to see God in their lives. 00:03:21.030 --> 00:03:22.730 It's like Fantastic. 00:03:22.870 --> 00:03:23.370 Unbelievable. 00:03:23.910 --> 00:03:25.290 So now you just graduated. 00:03:25.830 --> 00:03:26.230 Mhmm. 00:03:26.230 --> 00:03:28.890 Are you practicing yet and doing spiritual directions? 00:03:30.630 --> 00:03:39.685 Like, I told my priest I told the father in my trial, with the sessions that, like, God is sending them to me. 00:03:39.905 --> 00:03:47.400 It's not like it's not like in a fixed Michelle with the homeless, with elderly people that they live a lot. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:49.800 Like, it's not I'm I'm looking for them. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:50.920 It's they're coming to me. 00:03:50.920 --> 00:03:51.640 They're coming to you. 00:03:51.640 --> 00:03:55.500 And the way I used to listen growing up, I'm listening, using the skills. 00:03:56.200 --> 00:03:56.940 It's coming. 00:03:57.480 --> 00:03:58.520 So it's Yep. 00:03:58.520 --> 00:03:59.260 It worked. 00:03:59.475 --> 00:04:03.715 So one of the things I'll tell you, and it's good for anybody to know who's looking at spiritual direction. 00:04:03.715 --> 00:04:05.975 I'm gonna be putting you on, in a directory. 00:04:06.275 --> 00:04:06.595 Mhmm. 00:04:06.595 --> 00:04:12.435 So if somebody's looking for somebody to do spiritual directing in San Jose, they can pick up the either email you. 00:04:12.435 --> 00:04:19.710 And sometimes if you're specializing in things like you just talked about, that you enjoy working with the elderly or homebound or whatever, we can put that in the notes. 00:04:19.710 --> 00:04:24.990 So I'll be sending you a note an email, and we'll put you in our directory, and you'll find even more people calling in. 00:04:24.990 --> 00:04:28.130 And some people are doing spiritual direction, zoo. 00:04:28.215 --> 00:04:29.415 Some are doing it in person. 00:04:29.415 --> 00:04:32.155 Some are doing it in groups and in parishes. 00:04:32.215 --> 00:04:34.055 So you can practice it any way you want. 00:04:34.055 --> 00:04:34.775 Just one sec. 00:04:34.775 --> 00:04:36.775 I can certainly see you have a passion for it. 00:04:36.775 --> 00:04:37.595 That's great. 00:04:37.655 --> 00:04:38.155 Yes. 00:04:38.215 --> 00:04:54.880 So if you had to say that after looking at this and not knowing anything about it, what's been the biggest surprise or takeaway from you taking this degree that you never thought would happen either for yourself or for those you serve? 00:04:54.880 --> 00:04:59.035 Has there just been a an epiphany, a a moment? 00:04:59.895 --> 00:05:07.035 Is to see how God speaks to us every day through everything through everybody. 00:05:08.870 --> 00:05:10.390 Like, he speaks to us. 00:05:10.390 --> 00:05:11.830 The Holy Spirit is real. 00:05:11.830 --> 00:05:13.370 Like, it's amazing. 00:05:13.590 --> 00:05:19.030 Like, I didn't know I didn't I don't know why I put in this church where to bring it with me from Saint El Nesay. 00:05:19.030 --> 00:05:21.555 Because if you didn't come up and tell us, we wouldn't know. 00:05:21.695 --> 00:05:22.095 Yes. 00:05:22.095 --> 00:05:23.535 That's the God is real. 00:05:23.535 --> 00:05:24.335 He speaks to us. 00:05:24.335 --> 00:05:25.295 He prepares us. 00:05:25.295 --> 00:05:28.755 If we're open to him, he guides us. 00:05:28.815 --> 00:05:29.555 That's fantastic. 00:05:29.775 --> 00:05:32.015 And you are you, dual language? 00:05:32.015 --> 00:05:32.975 You speak English? 00:05:32.975 --> 00:05:34.895 So you're able to speak Arabic too? 00:05:34.895 --> 00:05:35.730 Arabic as well. 00:05:35.730 --> 00:05:41.510 So that's great because sometimes everybody needs, you know, somebody who speaks more than one language if they need some assistance. 00:05:41.890 --> 00:05:46.390 Are there any other questions I should have asked you that I didn't that you'd like to share? 00:05:47.490 --> 00:05:50.655 Oh, I just want to thank God for this program. 00:05:50.655 --> 00:05:51.955 Thank God for this university. 00:05:52.255 --> 00:05:59.375 Like, I desire every person to take it just for themselves, not maybe not to work on it because it's changed your life. 00:05:59.375 --> 00:06:01.235 It's it gives you freedom. 00:06:01.375 --> 00:06:04.655 It it gives you that trust in the Lord and everything else. 00:06:04.655 --> 00:06:05.070 Wow. 00:06:05.150 --> 00:06:09.390 And I thank you for your gift of time on this short notice in talking with us here today. 00:06:09.390 --> 00:06:14.050 Enjoy the rest of the Eucharist at congress, and I will be in touch with you to get you in that directory. 00:06:14.190 --> 00:06:14.510 Great. 00:06:14.510 --> 00:06:14.990 Thank you. 00:06:14.990 --> 00:06:15.689 I will do that. 00:06:15.849 --> 00:06:24.269 And thank you.