WEBVTT 00:00:06.720 --> 00:00:08.960 Thank you very much, father Charles. 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:12.075 It's a a real blessing to be with all of you. 00:00:12.555 --> 00:00:20.235 And thank you to all the faculty as well, who have, bestowed this, honor upon me. 00:00:20.235 --> 00:00:21.615 I'm very, very grateful. 00:00:22.395 --> 00:00:32.990 I'm also grateful to my religious community, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, who sent me to study psychology, out of obedience and was a great blessing. 00:00:36.345 --> 00:00:38.125 Congratulations to all the graduates. 00:00:38.185 --> 00:00:40.205 It's, hard virtually. 00:00:40.345 --> 00:00:48.445 There's no, cheering and, encouragement in person, but it is very exciting and it's a really wonderful accomplishment. 00:00:49.570 --> 00:00:51.510 Graduating for me was bittersweet. 00:00:51.730 --> 00:01:03.750 I was very happy to be done with school and training, but, I also was sad to leave the university and, my friends and classmates and the faculty and staff. 00:01:07.095 --> 00:01:18.635 Divine Mercy University, IPS, well, it became Divine Mercy just a few years ago, is truly my alma mater, my nurturing mother. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:36.445 Not only did I get a great education in psychology and in professionalism, it was the integration of domestic anthropology, of the philosophy of Catholic philosophy and theology that drew me to the program. 00:01:36.745 --> 00:01:41.085 I initially spent some time at a secular university doing some studies. 00:01:41.705 --> 00:01:47.645 And, while it was decent, it just wasn't what I was looking for. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:57.220 We have a real advantage knowing human nature of understanding the human person and their ends. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:07.965 It helps us it has helped me especially to conceptualize my clients and then to target treatment to know how best to help them. 00:02:09.705 --> 00:02:21.820 And this is something that, as we know, is being very lost today is any kind of understanding of of human nature, of that we are made and created for certain purposes and ends. 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:29.340 So you have a great gift in this aspect also of your education and something I continually fall back on. 00:02:31.515 --> 00:02:49.370 It my also in the nurturing aspect, it was a really nurturing and wonderful environment, back in Crystal City with all the the administration, the, of course, the faculty and the staff were very positive and supportive. 00:02:51.270 --> 00:02:55.750 I think fondly of all of of everyone back there back, at that time. 00:02:55.750 --> 00:02:58.965 And, of course, I would love to come back to the campus someday and visit. 00:03:00.605 --> 00:03:05.225 And also all the friends and colleagues that I have to this day. 00:03:05.285 --> 00:03:20.790 I keep in touch with some of my classmates or people who were in school at the same time as me, and we also have a great network, to be able to collaborate both professionally and then also personally sometimes just to encourage each other. 00:03:22.930 --> 00:03:27.830 I believe strongly in the mission of IPS, of Divine Mercy University. 00:03:28.765 --> 00:03:34.625 I've recommended it to many people who I know are interested in studying counseling or psychology. 00:03:36.925 --> 00:03:49.760 The program is offering something that forms good psychologists who then go out and fill great areas of need in our world, and we know those needs are significant. 00:03:51.660 --> 00:03:59.125 I know you will never lack for a job, especially if you advertise yourself as a Christian or Catholic counselor. 00:04:00.465 --> 00:04:06.325 A lot of people are looking for someone who will understand them in their in their faith and their beliefs. 00:04:08.465 --> 00:04:22.060 So I would like to say, I'm again, for all the people who influenced me and supported me, all the professors and my classmates and beyond. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:31.145 And I would like to say for you, I wish you all the best in your careers as you go forward and your areas of service. 00:04:33.605 --> 00:04:49.560 To go out not afraid of the to be truthful and integral in who you are as a Christian, as a Catholic, and to have great courage in doing it because our world, as as mister Auth pointed out, is very hungry. 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:51.800 They don't even know what they're looking for. 00:04:52.580 --> 00:05:07.175 And you have a great education and formation now that will that has just made you more equipped to serve, whether it's directly in service to the church or otherwise. 00:05:08.750 --> 00:05:09.950 I wish you all the best. 00:05:09.950 --> 00:05:15.470 And again, I I thank father Charles and the faculty and the board for having me. 00:05:15.470 --> 00:05:21.630 And, I do hope to get back to The States at some point and maybe, make a trip to the campus. 00:05:21.630 --> 00:05:25.185 It would be I have two sisters there now, so I have to to check up on them. 00:05:25.185 --> 00:05:28.465 But they're they're loving it there, so I'm very I'm very happy. 00:05:28.465 --> 00:05:33.525 So God bless you all, and thank you, and goodbye from Rome.