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.
So, bishop Burbage, thank you so much for joining us in such a busy time.
We're here at the National Eucharistic Congress.
Father Charles, I was walking by, and I saw Divine Mercy University saw you.
I'm saying, wait.
That's one of the treasures in my diocese.
We are so proud that Divine Mercy University is, located in Diocese of Arlington.
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.
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.
And Right.
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.
Well, your ministry, as we know, is needed now more than ever.
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.
And, you know, the Lord works through his instruments, and you're preparing those instruments.
And I'm really grateful, for that.
But, you know, I was thinking too, father Charles, is that, you know, all of us are seeking healing, spiritually, emotionally, mentally.
And what we're doing here at this Eucharist of Congress is the path of that healing.
First of all, we're reminded that we're not alone, that we walk together as God's family.
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.
So I think this for all of us.
I know already.
I am I'm already emotionally uplifted and strengthened in faith.
It has been.
And, you know, you mentioned a loneliness.
Young people, especially, but everyone is really a crisis of connection Yes.
In the world today.
And I think it's a root of a lot of these problems.
And what better connection can there be than our lord and savior in the Eucharist?
That's right.
And, I mean, that's the authentic I think it's the most authentic deepest connection that anyone that our hearts desire.
Right.
And and you see that for your adoration, you know, throughout this Eucharist of Congress at mass today.
Actually, you're literally in are brought to tears Yeah.
Because that in that that intimate union with Christ, and you feel that presence so strongly.
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.
Well, that's the other side.
I did in Christ.
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.
Right.
It's great to be a part of this.
So how's enrollment looking?
So enrollment, we're right now, we have about 600 students.
Yeah.
We're hoping that's gonna grow.
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.
Right.
This will be to form future faculty for Catholic universities all around the country and other universities.
There's a special credential they now need, and we're gonna be offering that degree in online.
Wonderful.
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.
Well, that would be wonderful because, I know visiting our schools, especially our our high schools, the young people are asking for that assistance.
And to the point that we have such great counselors and all, but we don't have enough.
Yeah.
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.
And so if you the university could be offering that new program, I think that would be a tremendous gift.
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.
You know, another issue that teachers mentioned, ways to help teachers persevere and and be retained.
You know?
School teachers, it's a tough job.
A tough job.
And, you know, sometimes they burn out.
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.
Right?
Whether you call it compassion fatigue or, burnout or with self care.
Just different things we can do to help them stay happy, healthy, and and be passionate about their their vocations.
That's right.
And, I I think that we've seen that even more so in recent years, even after the COVID Mhmm.
Where I think the people have gone through that separation and not being united, it has such an impact on young people.
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.
Sure.
And so you you're right.
We need them for the long haul, but it does begin with that self care, whether bishop, priest, teacher, doctor, nurse.
We all need those reminders.
I didn't I didn't think about bishops.
I missed Yes.
But, you know, we all the bishop Conley just wrote a a tremendous letter, about mental health in his own personal journey.
And It's very powerful.
Answer that.
It's very powerful.
No doubt.
If you haven't read it, I would I speak to you from his own heart, from his own experience.
He's bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska.
So Yeah.
So there's many great things that the bishops are promoting.
We're trying to do what we can to help that.
I had a other bishop on earlier today, and she said, you know, the bishops can lead us.
They can encourage us, but we can't sit back and wait for the bishop to do everything.
We as a church, priests, laypeople, as we need to be filling those needs.
And Divine Mercy University, I know our community, we feel that way.
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.
No.
That's right.
And that that really has to be our focus as a church.
Right.
Yeah.
And I really wanna take this opportunity.
I'm glad I passed by.
I didn't know you were gonna be here, but Okay.
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.
Thank you for being with us with your time.
Yes.
You know, it's God's work.
Yeah.
Well, it is get out of the way.
It is God's work, and, we'll be praying for each other, especially in front of the blessed sacrament throughout these sacred days.
Thank you very much.
Thanks, father.
God bless you.
Okay.