Well, good morning.
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.
Her name is Natalie Gontus, and she is from San Jose, California.
So I'm gonna ask Natalie a few questions about her journey to share, on our DMU website.
Thanks again.
I really appreciate you doing this.
Thanks.
So the first question I always like to ask is how did you come to know and find out about Divine Mercy University?
From a legionary of Christ priest, he's a friend of us, and he always knew that I'm a good listener.
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?
And I just said that way, why not?
Exactly.
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.
So that's a good reason.
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?
I'm always was, like, a good listener.
And, you know, God it's in God's timing.
So I was in a journey, like, I was going deeper into my relationship with God.
So I don't I felt something.
I felt something.
I didn't know really where this journey was, but it's a life transforming journey.
Did you grow with all the papers that you had to write and all the information?
Did you find that that was a real growth experience for you in spiritual direction?
I went into it not doing anything.
And it's been, like, one year, I started receiving spiritual direction.
So I I'm new to this whole but when you believe that God wants you now at this place and you feel it.
Like, I felt, yes.
Why not?
I didn't know where I I am going, but he knew I was ready.
You said twice you're a good listener, and you listened to the right person, didn't you?
God.
And the horn is spinning.
I love it.
Endless.
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?
It's a powerful journey.
So first, I feel the first one was, like, to listen to the healing that I went through.
It was, like, in a healing journey for myself.
Who am I?
To be able to listen more to others.
So, first, it was a healing journey for me, and believing more in the Holy Spirit presence, like, to listen to the Holy Spirit.
So it was powerful journey for me.
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.
It's like Fantastic.
Unbelievable.
So now you just graduated.
Mhmm.
Are you practicing yet and doing spiritual directions?
Like, I told my priest I told the father in my trial, with the sessions that, like, God is sending them to me.
It's not like it's not like in a fixed Michelle with the homeless, with elderly people that they live a lot.
Like, it's not I'm I'm looking for them.
It's they're coming to me.
They're coming to you.
And the way I used to listen growing up, I'm listening, using the skills.
It's coming.
So it's Yep.
It worked.
So one of the things I'll tell you, and it's good for anybody to know who's looking at spiritual direction.
I'm gonna be putting you on, in a directory.
Mhmm.
So if somebody's looking for somebody to do spiritual directing in San Jose, they can pick up the either email you.
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.
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.
And some people are doing spiritual direction, zoo.
Some are doing it in person.
Some are doing it in groups and in parishes.
So you can practice it any way you want.
Just one sec.
I can certainly see you have a passion for it.
That's great.
Yes.
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?
Has there just been a an epiphany, a a moment?
Is to see how God speaks to us every day through everything through everybody.
Like, he speaks to us.
The Holy Spirit is real.
Like, it's amazing.
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.
Because if you didn't come up and tell us, we wouldn't know.
Yes.
That's the God is real.
He speaks to us.
He prepares us.
If we're open to him, he guides us.
That's fantastic.
And you are you, dual language?
You speak English?
So you're able to speak Arabic too?
Arabic as well.
So that's great because sometimes everybody needs, you know, somebody who speaks more than one language if they need some assistance.
Are there any other questions I should have asked you that I didn't that you'd like to share?
Oh, I just want to thank God for this program.
Thank God for this university.
Like, I desire every person to take it just for themselves, not maybe not to work on it because it's changed your life.
It's it gives you freedom.
It it gives you that trust in the Lord and everything else.
Wow.
And I thank you for your gift of time on this short notice in talking with us here today.
Enjoy the rest of the Eucharist at congress, and I will be in touch with you to get you in that directory.
Great.
Thank you.
I will do that.
And thank you.