WEBVTT 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:22.825 So let's just follow-up Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy University, and the blessing to be joined this afternoon by bishop Michael Burbage, who is the bishop of Arlington, Virginia, which is the home of Divine Mercy University. 00:00:22.825 --> 00:00:26.425 So, bishop Burbage, thank you so much for joining us in such a busy time. 00:00:26.425 --> 00:00:29.085 We're here at the National Eucharistic Congress. 00:00:29.410 --> 00:00:33.890 Father Charles, I was walking by, and I saw Divine Mercy University saw you. 00:00:33.890 --> 00:00:34.850 I'm saying, wait. 00:00:34.850 --> 00:00:36.790 That's one of the treasures in my diocese. 00:00:37.410 --> 00:00:42.370 We are so proud that Divine Mercy University is, located in Diocese of Arlington. 00:00:42.370 --> 00:01:04.810 I know your service goes way beyond that, but I always say it's a you the Divine Mercy University is a treasure within our diocese because of your great ministry and and the people that you're training, to help be instruments of the lord's healing, especially those dealing with mental health issues, which we know is a significant, problem Well, if done in our lives. 00:01:04.870 --> 00:01:13.670 We try to build it from the inside out, and the Department of Arlington has been so important in in in in making this this apostolic grow and this university grow. 00:01:13.670 --> 00:01:14.030 And Right. 00:01:14.150 --> 00:01:22.755 Over the years, some of the great people and priests and support of the bishops, bishop Laverne and yourself, has just been a great, blessing to us. 00:01:22.755 --> 00:01:26.275 Well, your ministry, as we know, is needed now more than ever. 00:01:26.435 --> 00:01:40.510 You're well aware of the, number of young people and even beyond who are asking for help, with the stress and anxiety, the loneliness, the mental health issues with which they're dealing. 00:01:40.570 --> 00:01:45.150 And, you know, the Lord works through his instruments, and you're preparing those instruments. 00:01:45.290 --> 00:01:47.235 And I'm really grateful, for that. 00:01:47.235 --> 00:01:55.575 But, you know, I was thinking too, father Charles, is that, you know, all of us are seeking healing, spiritually, emotionally, mentally. 00:01:56.115 --> 00:02:01.670 And what we're doing here at this Eucharist of Congress is the path of that healing. 00:02:01.810 --> 00:02:07.570 First of all, we're reminded that we're not alone, that we walk together as God's family. 00:02:07.570 --> 00:02:23.245 You walk through these, corridors, these hallways, there's a union where we're we're we're walking together accompanying each other, and we're drawn to the source of our strength and consolation healing in the in the Eucharist, and we're leading each other there. 00:02:23.245 --> 00:02:25.165 So I think this for all of us. 00:02:25.165 --> 00:02:26.065 I know already. 00:02:26.285 --> 00:02:30.150 I am I'm already emotionally uplifted and strengthened in faith. 00:02:30.550 --> 00:02:31.110 It has been. 00:02:31.110 --> 00:02:32.570 And, you know, you mentioned a loneliness. 00:02:33.430 --> 00:02:37.990 Young people, especially, but everyone is really a crisis of connection Yes. 00:02:38.070 --> 00:02:39.130 In the world today. 00:02:39.750 --> 00:02:42.170 And I think it's a root of a lot of these problems. 00:02:42.615 --> 00:02:47.035 And what better connection can there be than our lord and savior in the Eucharist? 00:02:47.095 --> 00:02:47.495 That's right. 00:02:47.495 --> 00:02:53.995 And, I mean, that's the authentic I think it's the most authentic deepest connection that anyone that our hearts desire. 00:02:54.135 --> 00:02:54.455 Right. 00:02:54.455 --> 00:03:00.880 And and you see that for your adoration, you know, throughout this Eucharist of Congress at mass today. 00:03:01.660 --> 00:03:05.420 Actually, you're literally in are brought to tears Yeah. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:10.985 Because that in that that intimate union with Christ, and you feel that presence so strongly. 00:03:12.725 --> 00:03:27.010 And so, I I think this congress is a great way, for, to lift up, each other so that we can encourage each other in faith and remind each other that we're not alone, that we're here for each other the way the Lord wants us to walk. 00:03:27.010 --> 00:03:27.970 Well, that's the other side. 00:03:27.970 --> 00:03:28.690 I did in Christ. 00:03:28.690 --> 00:03:36.210 That communion in deep is not just with Christ, but it's with all the other members of the mystical body of Christ, and that's a beautiful thing. 00:03:36.210 --> 00:03:36.710 Right. 00:03:36.965 --> 00:03:38.165 It's great to be a part of this. 00:03:38.165 --> 00:03:39.545 So how's enrollment looking? 00:03:39.685 --> 00:03:42.745 So enrollment, we're right now, we have about 600 students. 00:03:42.805 --> 00:03:43.045 Yeah. 00:03:43.045 --> 00:03:44.645 We're hoping that's gonna grow. 00:03:44.645 --> 00:03:54.510 We're looking at this year starting, a doctoral program in counselor education and supervision, which will be a doctor we have a doctor right now in clinical psych. 00:03:54.510 --> 00:03:54.830 Right. 00:03:54.830 --> 00:04:00.530 This will be to form future faculty for Catholic universities all around the country and other universities. 00:04:01.390 --> 00:04:05.565 There's a special credential they now need, and we're gonna be offering that degree in online. 00:04:05.565 --> 00:04:06.065 Wonderful. 00:04:06.445 --> 00:04:26.740 And then and the other thing we hope we can get started, and we've actually spoken with people from the, Catholic schools in Arlington, a program looking for continuing education to train teachers, counselors, and school administrators, how to deal with the mental health needs, but also young people as students grow in virtue. 00:04:27.520 --> 00:04:37.835 Well, that would be wonderful because, I know visiting our schools, especially our our high schools, the young people are asking for that assistance. 00:04:38.135 --> 00:04:43.095 And to the point that we have such great counselors and all, but we don't have enough. 00:04:43.095 --> 00:04:43.595 Yeah. 00:04:43.655 --> 00:04:49.680 And and I know that I've heard people say, I would like to be part of that ministry, but I don't have the tools. 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:55.980 And so if you the university could be offering that new program, I think that would be a tremendous gift. 00:04:55.980 --> 00:05:01.100 So we're you know, lord willing, we'll we'll be starting a little thing called a lifelong learning institute where we have that. 00:05:01.100 --> 00:05:08.535 You know, another issue that teachers mentioned, ways to help teachers persevere and and be retained. 00:05:08.535 --> 00:05:08.935 You know? 00:05:08.935 --> 00:05:11.355 School teachers, it's a tough job. 00:05:11.575 --> 00:05:12.395 A tough job. 00:05:12.455 --> 00:05:14.935 And, you know, sometimes they burn out. 00:05:14.935 --> 00:05:22.440 And and so we're also looking at how we help them, which would be something it's similar to nurses, hospital workers, even priests. 00:05:22.440 --> 00:05:22.680 Right? 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:28.380 Whether you call it compassion fatigue or, burnout or with self care. 00:05:29.080 --> 00:05:37.215 Just different things we can do to help them stay happy, healthy, and and be passionate about their their vocations. 00:05:37.435 --> 00:05:38.075 That's right. 00:05:38.075 --> 00:05:45.215 And, I I think that we've seen that even more so in recent years, even after the COVID Mhmm. 00:05:45.355 --> 00:05:52.200 Where I think the people have gone through that separation and not being united, it has such an impact on young people. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:06:02.085 And so it seems to me that even more than ever, so much is expected of our teachers from the moment they walk in that door, and it goes beyond just teaching their subject area. 00:06:02.085 --> 00:06:02.565 Sure. 00:06:02.565 --> 00:06:04.005 And so you you're right. 00:06:04.005 --> 00:06:11.445 We need them for the long haul, but it does begin with that self care, whether bishop, priest, teacher, doctor, nurse. 00:06:11.445 --> 00:06:12.885 We all need those reminders. 00:06:12.885 --> 00:06:14.490 I didn't I didn't think about bishops. 00:06:14.730 --> 00:06:15.470 I missed Yes. 00:06:15.930 --> 00:06:23.050 But, you know, we all the bishop Conley just wrote a a tremendous letter, about mental health in his own personal journey. 00:06:23.050 --> 00:06:24.410 And It's very powerful. 00:06:24.490 --> 00:06:24.810 Answer that. 00:06:24.810 --> 00:06:25.770 It's very powerful. 00:06:25.770 --> 00:06:26.250 No doubt. 00:06:26.250 --> 00:06:29.985 If you haven't read it, I would I speak to you from his own heart, from his own experience. 00:06:29.985 --> 00:06:31.285 He's bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. 00:06:31.425 --> 00:06:32.225 So Yeah. 00:06:32.225 --> 00:06:34.465 So there's many great things that the bishops are promoting. 00:06:34.465 --> 00:06:36.885 We're trying to do what we can to help that. 00:06:37.905 --> 00:06:43.350 I had a other bishop on earlier today, and she said, you know, the bishops can lead us. 00:06:43.350 --> 00:06:47.350 They can encourage us, but we can't sit back and wait for the bishop to do everything. 00:06:47.350 --> 00:06:52.490 We as a church, priests, laypeople, as we need to be filling those needs. 00:06:53.350 --> 00:06:56.150 And Divine Mercy University, I know our community, we feel that way. 00:06:56.150 --> 00:07:09.385 We're not gonna we're we're gonna we're gonna go out and and start centers and and try and work with pastors and so forth to try and solve these problems knowing that, you know, of course, the bishop's bishop just can't do all the work. 00:07:09.385 --> 00:07:09.625 No. 00:07:09.625 --> 00:07:10.025 That's right. 00:07:10.025 --> 00:07:12.390 And that that really has to be our focus as a church. 00:07:12.470 --> 00:07:12.970 Right. 00:07:13.430 --> 00:07:13.670 Yeah. 00:07:13.670 --> 00:07:15.450 And I really wanna take this opportunity. 00:07:15.510 --> 00:07:17.350 I'm glad I passed by. 00:07:17.350 --> 00:07:19.030 I didn't know you were gonna be here, but Okay. 00:07:19.270 --> 00:07:28.435 Just to commend you and everyone associated with the university for the work you're doing, and please know of my prayerful support in every way possible too. 00:07:28.435 --> 00:07:30.675 Thank you for being with us with your time. 00:07:30.675 --> 00:07:30.915 Yes. 00:07:30.915 --> 00:07:32.035 You know, it's God's work. 00:07:32.035 --> 00:07:32.535 Yeah. 00:07:32.915 --> 00:07:34.035 Well, it is get out of the way. 00:07:34.035 --> 00:07:39.540 It is God's work, and, we'll be praying for each other, especially in front of the blessed sacrament throughout these sacred days. 00:07:39.780 --> 00:07:40.660 Thank you very much. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:41.140 Thanks, father. 00:07:41.140 --> 00:07:41.620 God bless you. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.120 Okay.