WEBVTT 00:00:01.680 --> 00:00:02.980 Welcome to this webinar. 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:05.600 As I said, my name is Maria Brackett. 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:11.220 I'm the director of the spiritual direction certificate and a spiritual director myself. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:20.215 We try to have a webinar every month on the first Thursday of every month at 08:00. 00:00:21.395 --> 00:00:26.935 And, usually, it's a overview of the program just for whoever's interested and can jump on. 00:00:27.795 --> 00:00:33.970 And sometimes I'm able to get a faculty member or an alumni to come on to and speak about the program. 00:00:35.390 --> 00:00:37.250 Tonight is gonna be an overview. 00:00:37.710 --> 00:00:41.970 I'm gonna the it's gonna last about forty five minutes in total. 00:00:42.855 --> 00:00:51.355 I'm gonna just go through the program, and then I'm going to, just take any questions that you might have about different aspects of the program. 00:00:52.375 --> 00:00:53.595 So let's get started. 00:00:58.710 --> 00:01:04.490 So what we're gonna just be looking at, give you a sense of the different aspects. 00:01:06.725 --> 00:01:15.545 So Divine Mercy University is accredited, by a lot of different organizations according to its different types of program. 00:01:15.925 --> 00:01:24.680 The newest, I guess, accreditation or approval, we could say, was given by the Newman guide, recommended by the Newman guide. 00:01:25.220 --> 00:01:31.140 They just started working with graduate schools, and we were one of the first graduate schools that went through the process. 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:33.000 So that's kind of our newest one. 00:01:33.475 --> 00:01:44.775 All our programs, you know, we're accredited by the higher, education for Virginia and then for the psychological programs through those different organizations. 00:01:46.290 --> 00:01:47.750 Fully accredited university. 00:01:48.770 --> 00:01:52.130 The spiritual direction, this is a lot of information right here. 00:01:52.770 --> 00:01:54.370 I'm just gonna highlight it. 00:01:54.370 --> 00:01:56.310 This is also on the website. 00:01:57.330 --> 00:02:11.885 The spiritual direction certificate prepares students to be spiritual directors, really Christ centered understanding of spiritual direction with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ and the tradition of the church's Catholic church's tried experience. 00:02:13.370 --> 00:02:24.510 The spiritual direction certificate or as we call it the SDC DC is gives knowledge, skills, and supervision for future spiritual directors. 00:02:24.970 --> 00:02:33.755 It includes six online classes, two four day residencies, practicum requirement, and supervision. 00:02:35.895 --> 00:02:49.920 And the pillars of the certificate are the integration of theological and human sciences as they relate to spiritual development, learning the art and skill of interpersonal relationships, and the fruitful experience of supervision. 00:02:52.700 --> 00:02:56.985 These are the also on all of this information is on the website. 00:02:56.985 --> 00:03:39.380 But, anyway, the these are the goals of the program, to prepare you to be a spiritual director with a strong identity of what that means, to be able to enter into the life of another person with compassion and respect, to develop a Christ centered and person centered approach to spiritual direction, to employ basic social and behavior skills and a habit of solid theological think reasoning to promote deep spiritual flourishing or as I like to say to people, helping others to flourish in their relationship with the lord and to embody a vision of the flourishing person that inspires them. 00:03:39.600 --> 00:03:46.420 For you also as people that are training to be spiritual directors to live a flourishing life. 00:03:46.575 --> 00:03:54.675 So it's also to inspire directors by your life and your decisions so that they can grow in their own faith, hope, and love. 00:03:57.535 --> 00:04:13.860 I always like to talk a little bit about what is spiritual direction right at the outset from of this web webinar because I think it's important if you're looking into a spiritual direction program to feel comfortable in kind of their definition of spiritual direction. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:20.455 There are a lot of different definitions of spiritual direction out there, not all Catholic ones nor Christian ones. 00:04:20.755 --> 00:04:24.135 There's other faith traditions that have a similar concept. 00:04:25.475 --> 00:04:29.735 This is really taken from the Catholic Christian understanding of spiritual direction. 00:04:30.915 --> 00:04:52.875 So spiritual direction we see as accompaniment, assisting a person on their path to the Lord, the act of being there for them and service both to them and to the Lord in the presence of the Lord in their lives, deep listening to the one being directed to help them discover the Lord and his narrative in their lives. 00:04:54.855 --> 00:05:04.610 It's also a pilgrimage to God, a clear goal, to help the directee, as we call them, the one receiving spiritual direction to grow closer to God. 00:05:04.990 --> 00:05:06.690 It's not designed as therapy. 00:05:07.630 --> 00:05:13.170 It doesn't have a problem solving element to it, but as a walk in with someone in their walk with the Lord. 00:05:14.385 --> 00:05:24.405 And it's also a type of formation because as you help someone to learn how to follow Jesus, you're forming them in their mission of being called and sent. 00:05:28.130 --> 00:05:39.110 Spiritual direction has become increasingly popular among Catholics of all of all vocations, especially after Vatican two where the emphasis on the universal call to holiness. 00:05:39.735 --> 00:05:51.275 And this is a quote from Pope Benedict from 2011 where he just says that everyone who is serious about following Jesus should have a spiritual director. 00:05:52.530 --> 00:05:58.150 And he said, you know, it's for anyone who wants to live responsibly their baptism. 00:05:58.370 --> 00:06:00.070 That is their new life in Christ. 00:06:00.610 --> 00:06:06.710 The catechism of the Catholic church speaks of spiritual directors in the following way in number two six nine zero. 00:06:07.095 --> 00:06:15.835 The Holy Spirit gives to certain of the faithful the gifts of wisdom, faith, and discernment for the sake of this common good, which is prayer. 00:06:17.255 --> 00:06:20.875 And they and they those parenthesis are there, spiritual direction. 00:06:21.310 --> 00:06:25.330 Men and women so endowed are true servants of the living tradition of prayer. 00:06:25.630 --> 00:06:42.475 I love to think of spiritual directors in that way as servants, true servants of the living tradition of prayer, helping others to grow in their relationship with the lord through that that especially through their life of prayer, their contact or connection with the lord. 00:06:44.455 --> 00:06:46.955 So let's just look at a snapshot of the program. 00:06:47.015 --> 00:06:49.755 It's a flexible online hybrid program. 00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:53.720 So by this, we mean that there are six online courses. 00:06:54.820 --> 00:06:58.840 There are two residencies in the third course and the sixth course. 00:06:58.900 --> 00:07:03.240 And the third course and the fifth course, there is a residency as part of the course. 00:07:04.955 --> 00:07:17.570 There are sixty practicum hours as a requirement for graduation, and that is forty eight hours of seeing people in spiritual direction and, twelve hours of supervision. 00:07:18.430 --> 00:07:25.010 You find the people locally that you need to see in spiritual direction, and, we give you the supervision. 00:07:25.150 --> 00:07:27.970 You have that as part of your fifth and sixth course. 00:07:29.015 --> 00:07:33.355 You don't start these practicum hours until the fifth course. 00:07:34.855 --> 00:07:36.455 So you don't have to worry. 00:07:36.455 --> 00:07:39.355 We kinda walk you through some ways of trying to find people. 00:07:39.655 --> 00:07:51.530 You're also given a program adviser, when you enter your third course that is a spiritual director or is familiar with spiritual direction and can help you to kinda troubleshoot that. 00:07:51.990 --> 00:07:55.770 And then we also require at least five day spiritual exercises. 00:07:56.675 --> 00:08:02.375 If you've had that experience within the last two years before you enter the program, that counts. 00:08:02.835 --> 00:08:05.335 But if not, you should have it during the program. 00:08:05.795 --> 00:08:15.890 The practical hours and the spiritual exercises need to be done by the time you you are applying to complete your certificate, which is after the sixth course. 00:08:17.790 --> 00:08:22.290 The administrative team of the program was myself there and then Linda Francis. 00:08:24.495 --> 00:08:27.135 We Linda works remotely from Boston. 00:08:27.135 --> 00:08:29.955 I work out of the university here in Sterling, Virginia. 00:08:32.255 --> 00:08:33.795 These are some of our faculty. 00:08:34.095 --> 00:08:36.495 We've got a good amount of faculty. 00:08:36.495 --> 00:08:42.860 Not everyone can fit here, but this kinda gives you a good understanding of the different types of people. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:48.240 We have laypeople, men and women, deacon, some priests. 00:08:50.305 --> 00:08:59.825 You know, there are depending on the subject matter of the course, that's the type of instructor that we look for for the course. 00:08:59.825 --> 00:09:10.770 So they're either seasoned spiritual directors with masters in theology, or, they are in some of the courses for the skills courses. 00:09:11.630 --> 00:09:21.565 We often use clinicians, counselors, or psychologists that know these skills very well and also know the world of spiritual direction. 00:09:21.565 --> 00:09:24.305 They're just not any counselor or any psychologist. 00:09:24.365 --> 00:09:31.745 There are people that do know, spiritual direction or and probably are in spiritual direction themselves. 00:09:33.450 --> 00:09:34.670 Actually, they all are. 00:09:36.490 --> 00:09:41.950 Again, this has a lot of words on it, this slide, but it's, these are the course descriptions. 00:09:42.090 --> 00:09:46.110 They're also on the website, so please feel free to go there. 00:09:47.745 --> 00:09:57.365 So as I said to you, the core the certificate consists of six courses, and you see here the third course and the fifth course residency. 00:09:58.385 --> 00:10:11.610 And, also, the the each course is eight weeks long, and I'll talk about the calendar a little bit later for you. 00:10:13.110 --> 00:10:21.745 So during the time that you're taking the courses in that eight weeks, you should set aside six to nine hours of work per week. 00:10:23.085 --> 00:10:25.985 And as I said, these courses are online. 00:10:26.365 --> 00:10:29.745 The these, in our website, they have the course descriptions. 00:10:29.805 --> 00:10:32.300 I know these letters are a little bit small. 00:10:32.760 --> 00:10:45.065 Basically, what you're seeing here is kind of a dance between, the spine of the whole certificate is spiritual theology or the life of grace and the growth of grace in a person. 00:10:45.685 --> 00:10:46.005 Right? 00:10:46.005 --> 00:10:48.585 And that their relationship with the lord. 00:10:49.525 --> 00:10:56.245 And then sprinkled through, as you can see, in February is a course on human development for spiritual direction. 00:10:56.245 --> 00:11:00.870 So understanding the person, how they develop, how relationships develop. 00:11:01.250 --> 00:11:03.750 And then we've got the relating skill courses. 00:11:03.890 --> 00:11:07.190 The 300 and the 500 are relating skill courses. 00:11:08.130 --> 00:11:25.875 The four hundred and six hundred are really talking about that deep listening to the spirit, discernment of what is the voice of the lord or what we say the voice of the good shepherd and the voice of the thief, and then advanced prayer and situations that might arise in spiritual direction in 600. 00:11:27.570 --> 00:11:30.930 So you as I said, you begin your practicum hours in 500. 00:11:30.930 --> 00:11:48.065 So after you've done a considerable amount of study and, already had some practice and, and then you work on them through five hundred and six hundred, and you have from the time that you begin 300, you have up to two years to finish the certificate. 00:11:52.845 --> 00:11:57.600 So, again, this gives you just kind of how it is. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:59.700 In the first year, you do three courses. 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:06.580 And so you first you do the 100, 200, 300, and the residency in that third semester. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:14.625 And in year two, you do 400, 500, and 500 has its residency as part of it and then 600. 00:12:18.765 --> 00:12:27.600 Now let's talk about how the terms work, because we actually have three times a year that you can enter the program. 00:12:27.900 --> 00:12:29.740 We run three terms a year. 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:33.440 That's why you were seeing three courses a year in that previous slide. 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:39.275 So the spring term begins in early January and ends in early March. 00:12:39.335 --> 00:12:42.555 The summer term begins in late May and ends in mid July. 00:12:43.095 --> 00:12:46.395 The fall term begins in late August and ends in mid October. 00:12:46.855 --> 00:12:49.755 So we're actually coming up on a fall term right now. 00:12:50.215 --> 00:12:54.660 It's the next, what we call start is August 20. 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:57.640 We're right now in the third week of our summer term. 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:07.160 And then you have breaks between the terms, which, so it's not like you're continually going through classes. 00:13:07.885 --> 00:13:10.205 So in the spring, you don't have any class. 00:13:10.205 --> 00:13:12.785 We don't run a classes from March to May. 00:13:13.165 --> 00:13:17.265 In the summer, from mid July to late August, we don't have classes. 00:13:17.645 --> 00:13:21.165 And from mid October to early January, we don't have classes. 00:13:21.165 --> 00:13:22.465 So those are your breaks. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:31.860 Sorry. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:36.580 So the residencies, you might wanna know about these residencies that I've mentioned. 00:13:37.195 --> 00:13:40.975 There are two four day residencies on campus here in Sterling, Virginia. 00:13:43.355 --> 00:13:48.495 So you arrive Wednesday evening, and you leave Sunday at lunchtime. 00:13:49.810 --> 00:13:59.090 Monday begins with a reception that Wednesday evening, and then it ends, on Sunday with lunch. 00:13:59.090 --> 00:14:04.550 You can either stay at the university, eat your lunch at the university, or you can grab it and go. 00:14:05.525 --> 00:14:16.105 It gives the students an opportunity to put in practice the skills and the knowledge that they're that they've been learning under this supervision of spiritual directors and therapists. 00:14:16.245 --> 00:14:26.040 So we have, like, usually about an hour and a half of class in the morning, and then you break up into small groups and you practice your skills throughout the day. 00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:30.620 And then you come together for, you know, just a wind down at the end of the day. 00:14:31.655 --> 00:14:40.615 So as I said before, they're held at specific times within the program in week seven of that third course or week two of the fifth course. 00:14:40.615 --> 00:14:48.010 So either at the beginning of the third course well, one is at the beginning of the third course and that second is at the end of the fifth course. 00:14:49.510 --> 00:14:52.090 The length of the program is two years. 00:14:54.230 --> 00:15:02.635 This is the cost of the program, 850 per course and 1,400 for residency. 00:15:03.495 --> 00:15:10.155 So all in all, if you add up those two, the totals there, it's 7,900. 00:15:10.615 --> 00:15:21.100 And then, if you do not finish your practicum hours by the time you finish that six course, you need to sign up either for practicum or practicum with supervision. 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:24.220 So one's $50 and one's a $100. 00:15:25.640 --> 00:15:29.400 You usually only need one term of that just to finish your practicum hours. 00:15:29.400 --> 00:15:33.585 We always want you to continue having supervision as you're being taught. 00:15:35.645 --> 00:15:37.425 So the application process. 00:15:37.805 --> 00:15:40.545 The application process is on the website. 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.940 It's very simple. 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:46.500 There it's a two step process. 00:15:47.760 --> 00:15:59.125 You have to fill out an application, takes you about fifteen minutes, and then you'll get a few short questions or essays sent to you. 00:15:59.585 --> 00:16:05.765 I always tell people to go through the application and just fill it out completely because that's how it just functions best. 00:16:06.705 --> 00:16:07.105 Right? 00:16:07.105 --> 00:16:20.480 And then if you fill it out completely, pay the $25 app application fee, you then can, you'll get the short questions sent to you right away. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:26.475 Sometimes if you leave you go in and leave without finishing the application, we start having glitches. 00:16:28.295 --> 00:16:35.435 And then there is a link there for your pastor or your faith leader. 00:16:36.215 --> 00:16:43.580 And so you just copy that link and send that to them so that they can fill out a recommendation for you. 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:47.240 So the classes begin. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.840 As I said, those there are three terms. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:55.955 So the fall term begins August 20, the spring term begins January 7, and the summer term begins May 20. 00:17:02.415 --> 00:17:08.755 So these are these are pretty much the same things that I was telling you before, so three easy steps. 00:17:09.270 --> 00:17:11.350 That gets you into the first tier of the program. 00:17:11.350 --> 00:17:19.370 And then when you're in the program, when you finish 200, you go through a shorter process just to apply for the next tier. 00:17:22.005 --> 00:17:25.865 We do have some tuition partnerships here at the university. 00:17:26.725 --> 00:17:34.505 So if you are belong to any of these organizations or diocese, there's also more on the website. 00:17:35.090 --> 00:17:37.670 It's under a tab called tuition partnerships. 00:17:38.930 --> 00:17:44.950 You would get 10% off of your courses, not off of the residencies, but off of your courses. 00:17:47.435 --> 00:17:49.035 And this is just my information. 00:17:49.035 --> 00:17:51.455 Take a screenshot of that if you'd like it. 00:17:52.155 --> 00:17:53.455 That's my phone number. 00:17:53.755 --> 00:17:55.515 You can call or text me there. 00:17:55.515 --> 00:17:56.575 That's my email. 00:17:57.355 --> 00:18:07.440 There's this is also a Calendly link, which really doesn't it's not really I mean, you could take a screenshot up and then manually put it in. 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:09.200 But, also, pretty much any yeah. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:15.860 Any email that I send you always comes with things this link on it, so you can always just go in there and use that. 00:18:16.855 --> 00:18:19.915 So I'd love to open it up for questions right now. 00:18:20.295 --> 00:18:27.835 I just ask that you put the questions into the q and a box, so that I can answer them. 00:18:28.135 --> 00:18:31.915 I'm gonna stop sharing so that I can see those questions. 00:18:44.030 --> 00:18:44.530 Great. 00:18:44.590 --> 00:18:45.410 Any questions? 00:18:45.550 --> 00:18:48.405 I'm not seeing any yet in the quest q and a box. 00:18:49.025 --> 00:18:50.565 Maybe I went too fast. 00:18:53.745 --> 00:18:55.585 Chris Torres, you raised your hand. 00:18:55.585 --> 00:18:58.325 Can you put it into the or maybe you did. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.180 Gustavo Ponce. 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:03.740 Is there any background or previous studies required? 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:18.505 There are not you don't it's not accredited per like, it doesn't give academic credit, so we do not require you to have credit, an academic degree to get into it. 00:19:18.565 --> 00:19:23.065 We do screen you through the admissions process, just kind of your theological knowledge. 00:19:23.925 --> 00:19:36.710 We know the the subject matter and we know the materials, so we're just gonna we just wanna be sure that you've got what it takes to be able to move through that successfully since we wanna kind of set you up for that. 00:19:42.545 --> 00:19:43.045 Bernadette. 00:19:43.665 --> 00:19:44.405 I'm sorry. 00:19:45.105 --> 00:19:48.405 It's allergy season here in Virginia, so my nose is itchy. 00:19:49.265 --> 00:19:51.445 How does supervision take place for practicum? 00:19:51.825 --> 00:19:53.605 Supervision takes place virtually. 00:19:54.650 --> 00:20:04.890 Your instructors give it to you in your fifth and sixth course, and you're gonna be you're gonna be pretty used to doing things virtually because a lot of your assignments are done that way. 00:20:04.890 --> 00:20:11.195 So, Chris, what is the expected time commitment? 00:20:11.255 --> 00:20:13.595 I guess that's what that question is. 00:20:16.055 --> 00:20:20.715 The suspected time commitment is six to nine hours a week when you're taking classes. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:24.980 And each of those classes, those courses are eight weeks long. 00:20:25.280 --> 00:20:29.380 You take three a year, so you're taking twenty four weeks of courses. 00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:34.100 But as I mentioned in that calendar, they're spread out through the whole year. 00:20:39.685 --> 00:20:41.785 I hope that answers that question, Chris. 00:20:48.005 --> 00:20:48.485 Marcia. 00:20:49.930 --> 00:20:50.330 Yes. 00:20:50.330 --> 00:20:52.250 You submitted your application for August. 00:20:52.250 --> 00:20:53.150 You were accepted. 00:20:54.410 --> 00:21:03.790 Marcia, I think I explained in your note you'll be getting orientation a link for orientation, but I put there that it does it won't happen before August 1. 00:21:04.195 --> 00:21:11.255 So, August 1 is when we send out the orientation for that next so that's that's the next step. 00:21:16.610 --> 00:21:18.550 Will you get a link to the presentation? 00:21:20.690 --> 00:21:21.010 No. 00:21:21.010 --> 00:21:37.725 But this so what I wanna tell you about all these and to kind of just point you to this, Divine Mercy University has a YouTube channel, and on that YouTube channel, there is a playlist for the spiritual direction certificate. 00:21:37.865 --> 00:21:40.605 It's called spiritual direction certificate webinars. 00:21:41.385 --> 00:21:52.730 You can go in there, and some of the past webinars that I have done, you'll find there, but you'll also find thematic webinars, and you'll also find interviews with alumni and students. 00:21:52.730 --> 00:21:55.230 And we try to just do, like, varied types. 00:21:55.450 --> 00:21:58.110 So I really recommend to you to go there. 00:21:59.425 --> 00:22:05.685 This this webinar will be put there, but probably not for at least a week or so. 00:22:06.225 --> 00:22:13.285 So just go there and look through all the different, webinars because there's just a lot of interesting stuff there. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.540 Hope that answers that question. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:31.135 Gustavo, can you explain for the the support provided when we need to find people required for practicum? 00:22:31.595 --> 00:22:41.940 Well, it's a little long answer to this because we really kind of one of the methods that we use as we go through the certificate is little by little, have you kinda do baby steps. 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:42.600 Right? 00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:58.815 So you'll see in the course descriptions that we actually actually ask you at the end of your third course when you're finished that residency to start having, like, spiritual friendships and just sitting down with people and just talking about spiritual things. 00:22:58.815 --> 00:22:59.315 Right? 00:22:59.695 --> 00:23:04.255 So some of those people grow into wanting to have spiritual direction with you. 00:23:04.255 --> 00:23:07.555 Also, usually, people hear that you're doing the course. 00:23:07.855 --> 00:23:14.190 We don't really have problems with our students finding people that wanna have spiritual direction for them. 00:23:14.330 --> 00:23:25.390 And what your program adviser does is that he or she, you can just talk to them at any point in time, and they can help you troubleshoot it and give you ideas in case you you need any coaching on that. 00:23:26.625 --> 00:23:28.645 I hope that answers your question, Gustavo. 00:23:29.505 --> 00:23:30.725 Let me know, please. 00:23:36.945 --> 00:23:38.705 Oh, you you couldn't find the link on time. 00:23:38.705 --> 00:23:39.390 Could you see? 00:23:39.390 --> 00:23:43.230 Well, yeah, at the end here, I'll run through the whole presentation again. 00:23:43.230 --> 00:23:44.770 I'll just show you the slides. 00:23:45.390 --> 00:24:01.215 Although, really, if you go on to our YouTube channel, Divine Mercy YouTube channel, and you go to, the playlist that's for the spiritual direction certificate, there's probably about three or four webinars past webinars there. 00:24:01.275 --> 00:24:11.180 This is the first one launching the fall some, for the small fall term or this academic year, so it's got a new look and feel to it and the newest prices. 00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:13.420 So this is the most updated one. 00:24:18.040 --> 00:24:18.540 Great. 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.000 Wow. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.940 Did I answer everyone's questions? 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:34.195 So we you know, from my experience of giving these webinars, I did update the content, so I'm hoping that it's useful content for you. 00:24:34.255 --> 00:24:43.270 I tried to take it from questions people had, in the past and, just the experience. 00:24:44.530 --> 00:24:46.370 I am a spiritual director myself. 00:24:46.370 --> 00:24:49.990 I've been one for about fifteen, eighteen years. 00:24:51.810 --> 00:24:54.390 Did a lot of different studies along the way. 00:24:55.170 --> 00:25:04.205 Got my master's in theology, pastoral studies, and a lot in in education and also a little bit of psychology. 00:25:04.345 --> 00:25:23.720 So, a little bit more, I've been I I was dedicated to full time ministry for thirty years, so definitely, a bit more experience, than maybe just a spiritual director out there, but that's kind of, my role as a director of the program and also part of the design team of the curriculum. 00:25:29.275 --> 00:25:31.055 Anyone else have any more questions? 00:25:33.035 --> 00:25:41.535 As I said to you, the website, which can be found on the Divine Mercy website, you just go let me just actually pull that up for you. 00:25:42.530 --> 00:25:43.490 That might be helpful. 00:25:43.490 --> 00:25:45.030 Let me just show you the website. 00:25:45.090 --> 00:25:49.430 Sometimes I think it helps you all if I can just walk you through that. 00:26:00.905 --> 00:26:07.885 So this is the website, the Divine Mercy University website, and the spiritual direction program is right under the academics. 00:26:09.145 --> 00:26:11.885 And it's right here, spiritual direction certificate. 00:26:17.610 --> 00:26:22.670 There's gonna be a little pop up asking people to donate to the program. 00:26:22.730 --> 00:26:26.750 And the measure that we get people to donate money, we give it out to the students. 00:26:27.375 --> 00:26:37.615 So if you go over here, this is where you're gonna find, like, frequently asked questions, admissions requirements, completion, course descriptions, faculty, everything there. 00:26:37.615 --> 00:26:38.115 Right? 00:26:39.310 --> 00:26:40.750 We've got some blog posts. 00:26:40.750 --> 00:26:43.970 We haven't put some blogs there probably in the last two years. 00:26:44.510 --> 00:26:49.330 Just haven't had the time to sit down and write those, but and then there's the application. 00:26:49.390 --> 00:26:55.595 We also have the program handbook, which is just a great resource if you kinda wanna know the ins and outs of the program. 00:26:55.735 --> 00:26:58.555 It's got answers a lot of different questions there. 00:26:58.615 --> 00:27:00.555 So okay. 00:27:01.655 --> 00:27:02.155 Good. 00:27:02.215 --> 00:27:07.515 Now someone said that they wanted to see again. 00:27:12.050 --> 00:27:12.450 Okay. 00:27:12.450 --> 00:27:17.510 So, Emica, everyone do you have clientele and charge like a fee? 00:27:18.050 --> 00:27:20.470 Emica, spiritual direction is a ministry. 00:27:21.090 --> 00:27:26.255 So there are some people that charge a small fee for it. 00:27:26.255 --> 00:27:27.235 Some people don't. 00:27:28.015 --> 00:27:30.595 It really depends upon the person and their situation. 00:27:31.935 --> 00:27:47.630 Sometimes religious and priest might not charge, although it's always good to give a donation to their congregation because you're they are using time and and money to, keep themselves educated and, to give you spiritual direction. 00:27:49.290 --> 00:27:53.085 So, there are some laypeople that do charge a little bit. 00:27:53.085 --> 00:28:03.265 It's not a career, so it's not something that you could really make tons of money off of, but, most people do it, I think, just to kinda give back to their faith community. 00:28:04.530 --> 00:28:06.790 Chris, is there financial aid available? 00:28:07.970 --> 00:28:09.090 There isn't, Chris. 00:28:09.090 --> 00:28:12.630 Since it's not an academic, it doesn't give academic credit. 00:28:12.930 --> 00:28:16.790 Most of, like, GI bills and things like that don't apply to this program. 00:28:17.355 --> 00:28:20.655 I'm still working on that, trying to see if we can find some way. 00:28:21.675 --> 00:28:27.695 The only financial, like, discount that we have is that 10% if you belong to one of our tuition partnerships. 00:28:31.770 --> 00:28:39.850 And if I ever get money, people ever donate money to me, I always first see if there's, you know, any request from students to finish the program. 00:28:39.850 --> 00:28:43.425 And then sometimes if someone's coming in, I can give them a little break. 00:28:43.505 --> 00:28:46.485 Right now, I don't have any money just sitting there. 00:28:49.345 --> 00:28:51.925 Would this program help interfaith groups or only Catholics? 00:28:52.465 --> 00:28:52.705 No. 00:28:52.705 --> 00:28:56.725 We definitely have I'm imagining this is what your question is. 00:28:57.350 --> 00:29:05.610 We have people from other faiths also in the program, not just Catholics, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Lutherans. 00:29:09.430 --> 00:29:09.910 Yeah. 00:29:09.910 --> 00:29:10.410 Evangelicals. 00:29:12.275 --> 00:29:16.935 The majority of people are Catholic, but definitely anyone that just wants to learn from a Christian perspective. 00:29:18.995 --> 00:29:20.115 God bless you all. 00:29:20.115 --> 00:29:21.175 Thank you.