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Good morning, and welcome to Divine Mercy University's graduation mass offered in honor of the graduates and degree candidates of the 2,025 commencement exercises.

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We are honored to hold this special event at Saint John Newman Catholic Church and ask that an atmosphere fitting of the sacred space be maintained throughout the entire event.

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Please take this moment to silence any phones or other electronic devices.

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So that everyone is able to see the graduates entering, please remain seated during the academic procession.

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Thank you.

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Our opening hymn is all people who on earth do dwell found in your program, please rise.

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In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit.

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Amen.

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Peace be with you.

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And with your spirit.

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Good morning.

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My name is father Charles Sikorsky, and I'm the president of Divine Mercy University.

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And I wanna welcome everyone to the twenty twenty five commencement mass for Divine Mercy University.

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We're celebrating our twenty fifth anniversary this year, and we're blessed this morning to have with us as the main celebrant, Bishop Michael Burbage from the Diocese of Arlington, and also Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Arlington, Bishop Paul Laverde, who was a founding board member of Divine Mercy University and has been with us for all these twenty five years.

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So a real blessing to have those bishops with us.

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We also have 13 Concelebrants here, and just wanna welcome each one of you here, particularly, of course, our our graduates who today celebrate this great achievement and begin a commencement, a new stage in their lives.

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So welcome them, welcome their families.

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Also, all those who are watching virtually who couldn't be here today but would like to be, welcome to you as well.

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Our mass is an opportunity for us to pray together and put the lives of our graduates, the work they're going to do in our Lord's hands, to commend them to the Lord as they begin this new part of their journey, And also to thank them, to thank the Lord for the great gifts that they've been to us and to so many people now and in the future.

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So let's pray together as a community and and really pray to lift our graduates up and put them in our Lord's hands.

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Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

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I confess to almighty God, and to you as well as your sisters, But I heard your existence in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have dealt to do.

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Through my thoughts, through my thoughts, through my misrepresents fault.

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Therefore, I ask the sinner as your church, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for these, O Lord, our God.

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May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

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Amen.

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Killed him.

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Let us pray.

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Oh, God, who in the font of baptism have made new those who believe in you, keep safe those reborn in Christ That defeating every onslaught of error, they may faithfully preserve the grace of your blessing.

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Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

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The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace.

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She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord.

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And with the consolation of the Holy Spirit, she grew in numbers.

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As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda.

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There, he found a man named Aeneas who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed.

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Peter said to him, and as Jesus Christ heals you, get up and make your bed.

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He got up at once, and all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

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Now in Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha, which translated as Dorcas.

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She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.

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Now during those days, she fell sick and died.

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So after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs.

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Since Lydda was near Java, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with a request.

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Please come to us without delay.

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So Peter got up and went with them.

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When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs where all the widows came to him weeping and showing him the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

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Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed.

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Then he turned to her body and said, Tabitha, rise up.

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She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.

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He gave her his hand and raised her up.

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And when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive.

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This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the lord.

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The word of the Lord.

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Your words, Lord, are spirits The Lord be with you.

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And with your spirit.

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A reading from the holy gospel according to John.

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Glory to you, Lord.

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Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, this saying is hard.

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Who can accept it?

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Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, does this shock you?

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What if you were to see the son of man ascending to where he was before?

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It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.

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The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life, but there are some of you who do not believe.

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Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him.

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And he said, for this reason, I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my father.

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As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.

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Jesus then said to the 12, do you also want to leave?

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Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go?

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You have the words of eternal life.

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We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.' The gospel of the Lord.

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To graduates, you graduated a very special time as the universal church continues to celebrate our jubilee year, focus on the theological virtue of hope, as Divine Mercy University celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary and only a few days after we have been introduced to our new holy father, Pope Leo fourteenth, for whom we pray for in a special way at this mass as he begins his ministry among us.

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Dear graduates, you are here today as a result of God's grace, for sure.

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But also because of the way you have cooperated with that grace through hard work and dedication, sacrifices, and perseverance through a very rigorous program.

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And all of us here today are very proud of you and extend our sincere congratulations.

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This is truly a mass of thanksgiving.

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Thanksgiving for the gift of Divine Mercy University, a jewel, a treasure in our diocese, and a gift to the entire church.

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Thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for all of you.

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And thanksgiving, I'm sure, dear graduates, for all the special people who have helped you along the way, the administrators and faculty, your spouses and parents, family members and friends, I know you give thanks to God for all of them.

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And as you go forth today, I am very confident that the Lord will send you as instruments of his healing love and know that you go with our prayers.

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I suspect that, if not all, many of us at certain times have encountered people in desperate situations like in today's reading.

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Aeneas who was paralyzed and confined to bed for eight years And Tabitha, who had died after an illness.

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At moments like these, it is very easy for us to fall into the temptation to lose hope, to give up, to think that nothing can change or be done, or maybe even begin to think that no one cares.

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Yet, we just heard how God, through the action and intercession of Saint Peter, healed Aeneas and restored Tabitha to life.

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And because of these miracles, we are told, many turn to the Lord and came to believe in him.

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Not only were the people who witnessed these events amaze, but they also discovered hope.

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The hope united to faith that with God, all things are possible.

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At the same time, the healing that the Lord accomplishes is also a sign of his mercy or we could say his merciful love towards those in need.

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Without a doubt, Divine Mercy University has and continues to exemplify the qualities, the virtues of hope and mercy.

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It is providential that today's baccalaureate mass is being celebrated during the jubilee year in which our beloved holy father, Pope Francis, dedicated to the theme of hope.

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In the dawn of eviction for the beginning of the jubilee, Pope Francis wrote, with Jesus, joy flourishes.

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With him, life changes for the better, and hope does not disappoint.

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He went on to say that by our words and example, we can be messengers of hope.

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The hope that is ours in the lord and his power to transform and and heal us.

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Think of all the times.

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The lord has done that for you.

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Pope Francis reminded us that in Christ Jesus, physical, spiritual, and emotional healing are always possible.

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As graduates of Divine Mercy University, you will surely meet and work with individuals who feel themselves paralyzed.

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Paralyzed by the grip of addictions, mental health challenges, emotions, and behaviors that impede persons from reaching the full human flourishing that God wants for them.

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You will surely encounter people who might consider themselves dead spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.

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Dear graduates, I encourage you, please be witnesses.

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Be signs of hope for them.

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In offering psychological and spiritual counsel and guidance, you seek to promote emotional and relational health and well-being as well as diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychological and spiritual issues.

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In this work, which can be difficult at times, not seeing immediate results we desire, I invite you not to be discouraged or ever to lose hope.

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The Lord is always working through you in ways you may not see or cannot even imagine.

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Just as Jesus's words were ones of spirit and life for his disciples, as the gospel tells us, so your words, together with your example of patience and perseverance, compassion and love can be instruments through which the holy spirit will transform the marked minds and hearts, souls, and very lives of those to whom he will send you.

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Your time at Divine Mercy University has given you great insights into the Catholic vision of the human person, which is lacking.

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Lacking in our world and society.

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And where there is that void, there are so many obstacles to people truly healing.

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Integrating this Christian anthropology with the best practices in psychological theory, research and intervention allows you, dear graduates, to be professionally competent in the study of modern scientific psychology.

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It helps you also to understand the human mind and human behavior and to recognize those obstacles in our midst that keep us from living a healthy and balanced life.

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Likewise, your studies and training have introduced you to the importance of fostering a spiritual life for those you serve but also for yourself.

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How could you ever imagine carrying out this work without a deep spiritual life, relying on the Lord's divine insistence so that you can serve him and be instruments of supernatural graces.

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As you pursue your calling to alleviate suffering, know that you are not only restoring hope, but also practicing a work of mercy.

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To heal the sick and to provide counsel belong among the corporal spiritual works of mercy the church's tradition presents to us.

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Practicing these works of mercy forms the part, the heart of the mission of Divine Mercy University, which clearly states in uniting the best of psychological and spiritual theory and practice, the university seeks to remind everyone that no one, no one is beyond God's mercy and love.

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Receiving this divine gift is a source of hope for which we are always renewed by the Lord when we return to him.

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Realizing as Saint Peter said in the gospel, he has the words of eternal life.

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Dear graduates, although there will be challenges you will have to face, be convinced.

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Convinced that Jesus accompanies you and strengthens you in his mercy so that you can serve as beacons of hope for others, especially those of our brothers and sisters who may experience doubts, fears, anxieties, distress and hopelessness.

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As you and all of us try daily to reflect the compassion of Christ, I encourage you to pray.

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Pray fervently.

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Pray daily to do what Peter did in the acts of the apostles to raise up those who feel paralyzed, to lift up those who are suffering and give them hope despite any obstacles.

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Help them to know God will never give up on them.

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And his love is infinite and his mercy is divine.

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Strengthen then, graduates, by the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist we are about to receive.

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And through the prayers of Mary, Queen of Hope, may you go forward today as messengers of hope and witnesses of hope, the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord, The hope that does not disappoint.

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For in him, joy flourishes and life changes for the better.

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Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

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Dear graduates, with everyone present today, I extend to you our sincere congratulations for all that you have accomplished.

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And pray that you will be counted among the blustered.

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When this joyful day and always Amen.

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Please stand.

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Renewed in faith, joyful in hope, we present our petitions to our loving and merciful God.

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For the universal church, may the power of Christ's resurrection convert us into convinced and joyful disciples of the risen Lord.

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We pray to the Lord.

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Lord, hear our prayer.

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For our newly elected holy father, pope Leo the fourteenth, Michael Burbage, our bishop, and all the clergy, may the Paschal mystery continue to transform them into the image of Christ, empowering them to form the lay faithful into Christ's ardent disciples.

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We pray to the lord.

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Lord, hear our prayer.

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For those who suffer mentally and spiritually because of abuse, trauma, or mental illness, May they be supported by their family and friends and attain healing through God's grace and and compassionate professional care.

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We pray to the Lord.

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Lord, hear our prayer.

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For the graduates of Divine Mercy University, may the Lord accompany each one of us as we serve those in need of healing and hope.

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We pray to the Lord.

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Lord, hear our prayer.

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For the faculty, staff, students, and supporters of Divine Mercy University, may they be blessed in their mission to serve the dignity of every human person, created in God's image through the science of psychology, the wisdom of theology, and the profession of counseling.

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We pray to the Lord.

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Lord, hear our prayer.

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Heavenly father, inspired by the Holy Spirit through the intercession of Mary, our mother, and Saint Joseph, please hear these prayers we bring to you through Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever.

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Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray the offerings of your family that under your protective care, they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal through Christ our lord.

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Amen.

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The lord be with you.

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And with your spirit.

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Lift up your hearts.

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We lift them up to the Lord.

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Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

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It is right and just.

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It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, at all times to acclaim you, oh Lord.

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But in this time above all, to laud you yet more gloriously when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.

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For with the old order destroyed, a universe cast down is renewed and integrity of life is restored to us in Christ.

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Therefore, overcome with Paschal joy, every land, every people exalts in your praise and even the heavenly powers with the angelic hosts sing together the unending hymn of your glory as they acclaim.

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You are indeed holy, oh Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise.

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For through your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy.

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And you never cease to gather people to yourself.

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So that from the rising of the sun to its setting, a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.

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Therefore, oh lord, we humbly implore you by the same spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration.

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That they may become the body and blood of your son, our lord Jesus Christ at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

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For on the night he was betrayed he himself took bread and giving you thanks he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying, take this all of you and eat of it for this is my body which will be given up for you.

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In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples saying, take this all of you and drink from it.

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For this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

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Do this in memory of me.

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The mystery of faith.

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Therefore, o Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving passion of your son, his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.

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Look we pray upon the oblation of your church and recognizing the sacrificial victim by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself.

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Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your son and filled with his Holy Spirit, may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

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Through him and with him and in him, oh God, almighty father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours forever and ever.

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At the savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say, our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

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Thy kingdom come.

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Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

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And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

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Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil.

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Graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress.

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As we await the blessed hope and the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.

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Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, peace I leave you, my peace I give you.

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Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church.

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And graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will who live and reign forever and ever.

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Amen.

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The peace of the lord be with you always.

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And with your spirit.

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Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

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Peace with you, John.

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Thank you.

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Peace with you.

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Behold the lamb of God.

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Behold him who takes away the sins of the world.

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Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb.

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Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

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May the body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

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Applause.

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Let us pray.

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Keep safe, o Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness, that redeemed by the passion of your son, they may rejoice in his resurrection, who lives and reigns forever and ever.

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Amen.

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The Lord be with you.

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And with your spirit.

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Please bow down for the blessing.

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May God, who by the resurrection of his only begotten son, was pleased to confer on you the gift of redemption and of adoption, give you gladness by his blessing.

01:05:50.475 --> 01:05:50.975
Amen.

01:05:51.435 --> 01:05:59.510
May he, by whose redeeming work you have received the gift of everlasting freedom, make you heirs to an eternal inheritance.

01:05:59.890 --> 01:06:00.390
Amen.

01:06:00.610 --> 01:06:10.230
And may you, who have already risen with Christ in baptism through faith, by living in a right manner on this earth, be united with him in the homeland of heaven.

01:06:10.525 --> 01:06:11.025
Amen.

01:06:11.485 --> 01:06:16.945
And may almighty God bless you, the father, the son, and the holy spirit.

01:06:17.165 --> 01:06:17.665
Amen.

01:06:17.805 --> 01:06:18.525
Go forth.

01:06:18.525 --> 01:06:19.745
The mass is ended.

01:06:19.805 --> 01:06:21.115
Thanks be to God.

01:08:53.250 --> 01:08:54.210
Please be seated.

01:08:54.210 --> 01:08:56.710
The commencement exercises will begin shortly.

01:08:56.770 --> 01:08:57.510
Thank you.

01:09:25.310 --> 01:09:32.845
The 2,025 commencement exercises of Divine Mercy University are now in order.

01:09:35.545 --> 01:09:36.365
Good afternoon.

01:09:37.065 --> 01:09:44.760
My name is Doctor Steven Grundman, professor in the Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University.

01:09:45.620 --> 01:09:53.720
I have the great honor to serve today as marshal of Divine Mercy University's twenty fourth commencement exercises.

01:09:55.235 --> 01:10:04.855
To begin this momentous event, I have the great pleasure of introducing the third president of Divine Mercy University, father Charles Sikorsky.

01:10:05.875 --> 01:10:16.340
Since 2007, father Charles has led Divine Mercy University through significant growth and important milestones of our institutional history.

01:10:16.960 --> 01:10:26.585
We are grateful to you, Father Charles, for your faithful service and dedication to this important and necessary mission these past nineteen years.

01:10:27.445 --> 01:10:31.865
Father Charles, I invite you to come forward for opening remarks.

01:10:43.020 --> 01:10:45.980
Bishop Burbage, Bishop Laverde, Doctor.

01:10:45.980 --> 01:11:00.275
Brooks, our esteemed faculty members, and most of our dear graduates, members of their families and friends who are all present here or or who are watching virtually, welcome to the twenty fourth commencement exercises for Divine Mercy University.

01:11:01.695 --> 01:11:11.300
On behalf of the board of directors, the faculty, staff, benefactors, and many friends of Divine University, Mercer University, I welcome you all.

01:11:12.000 --> 01:11:15.860
And I congratulate our our graduates for a job well done.

01:11:17.920 --> 01:11:24.235
Every commencement celebration is the high point of the year for all of us, the most joyous time for our university community.

01:11:24.775 --> 01:11:39.550
We look forward to this celebration with enthusiasm, knowing that the mission of Divine Mercy University, which Bishop Burbage articulated so well in his homily, is carried by and through each and every one of our graduates.

01:11:41.370 --> 01:11:48.910
Our joy this year is heightened by the election of our new pope, Leo the fourteenth, and by the fact that we're celebrating our 20 anniversary.

01:11:49.995 --> 01:11:59.695
We'll be honoring later today with lifetime achievement awards, three individuals who've played indispensable roles in the founding and the development of our institution.

01:12:01.720 --> 01:12:12.220
But today, you, our graduates, join in the celebration and honors your hard work, sacrifices, your gifts, your grit, as well as the providential mission of the university.

01:12:13.905 --> 01:12:19.685
Above all, it's a new beginning in God's loving plan for each one of you and a call to a vital and urgent mission.

01:12:21.825 --> 01:12:27.745
Saint John Paul the second, this quote that I really love, gets to the heart of what you do.

01:12:27.745 --> 01:12:32.540
By its very nature, your work often brings you to the threshold of human mystery.

01:12:33.240 --> 01:12:42.940
It involves sensitivity to the tangled works and workings of the human mind and heart, and openness to the ultimate concerns that give meaning to people's lives.

01:12:43.965 --> 01:12:47.265
These are areas of utmost importance to the church.

01:12:49.805 --> 01:12:51.005
The harvest is abundant.

01:12:51.005 --> 01:12:52.385
The laborers are few.

01:12:53.085 --> 01:13:00.060
But today, our university community provides a response to our Lord's call as we celebrate a total of a 197 graduates.

01:13:00.520 --> 01:13:12.365
We have a 141 in the graduate programs who are gonna be honored today, but also another 56 in our spiritual direction course who have a have a separate graduation ceremony.

01:13:13.225 --> 01:13:15.645
Our graduates come from 15 different countries.

01:13:18.745 --> 01:13:22.845
When we begin back in 1999, we started with a group of only 12 students.

01:13:24.600 --> 01:13:27.260
And the first classes were held at the Key Bridge Marriott.

01:13:27.560 --> 01:13:29.320
The campus wasn't ready at that time.

01:13:29.320 --> 01:13:31.020
You might hear more about that later.

01:13:31.240 --> 01:13:35.980
And for some reason but for some reason, God likes to start big things with 12.

01:13:36.280 --> 01:13:36.780
Okay?

01:13:37.665 --> 01:13:44.245
And with today's graduates, our alumni work, network is going to grow close to 1,200 graduates and alumni.

01:13:46.545 --> 01:13:49.285
Each one of you is an answer to many prayers.

01:13:50.500 --> 01:13:52.420
So many the world has tremendous needs.

01:13:52.420 --> 01:13:59.960
And in his first homily as pope yesterday, Leo the fourteenth, talked about the context of the current world in which we're living.

01:14:00.020 --> 01:14:03.720
And I think it meshes so perfectly with the work you're going to be doing.

01:14:04.555 --> 01:14:08.655
So there are many places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed.

01:14:09.435 --> 01:14:14.495
A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life.

01:14:15.275 --> 01:14:25.500
The neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family, and so many other wounds that afflict our society.

01:14:26.760 --> 01:14:40.455
I'm fully confident each one of you have been fully prepared to heal those wounds, to give people meaning, mercy, consolation in so many different ways for them, their families, and for our society.

01:14:41.875 --> 01:14:54.190
There are very few career paths that provide the opportunity to have such direct impact on helping people flourish and truly evangelize the culture and evangelize society and the path that you've chosen for your career.

01:14:55.290 --> 01:14:57.870
So you truly answer to many prayers.

01:14:59.850 --> 01:15:05.465
The hard work and sacrifice that has led you here today is worthy of great praise.

01:15:05.605 --> 01:15:12.025
And it's indeed edifying to see how you've responded to God's invitation to serve your brothers and sisters in need.

01:15:12.885 --> 01:15:21.050
May our loving father, who has begun this good work and you bring it to fulfillment, may his kingdom come through you on earth as it is in heaven.

01:15:25.430 --> 01:15:27.990
We'd next like to recognize our faculty.

01:15:27.990 --> 01:15:31.270
We have faculty recognition for faculty achievements this year.

01:15:31.270 --> 01:15:34.935
And, every year is a big faculty achievement.

01:15:34.935 --> 01:15:36.535
So we really need to thank our faculty.

01:15:36.535 --> 01:15:40.055
They all worked so hard and have given up so much to be with us.

01:15:40.055 --> 01:15:46.855
And I just want to publicly thank them for for all they do, and apologize for how I make your lives difficult sometimes.

01:15:46.855 --> 01:15:49.370
But thank you so much, to our faculty.

01:15:56.790 --> 01:16:04.245
And throughout the academic year, our faculty members have tirelessly dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge, teaching excellence, and scholarly endeavors.

01:16:05.345 --> 01:16:07.685
Today, we have an achievement to acknowledge.

01:16:07.905 --> 01:16:10.785
It's with great pride that we announce the promotion of Doctor.

01:16:10.785 --> 01:16:16.545
Anthony Bond, who has attained the rank of associate professor in this ID program.

01:16:16.545 --> 01:16:18.000
So So congratulations, Doctor.

01:16:18.100 --> 01:16:18.600
Baughn.

01:16:27.860 --> 01:16:38.335
We'll now have the presentation of our our honorary degree, and I'd invite father John Hopkins, who is president emeritus of DMU and a and a board member to introduce our speaker.

01:16:48.900 --> 01:16:58.120
Arthur Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness.

01:17:00.575 --> 01:17:08.675
He's also a columnist at the Atlantic where he writes a popular weekly how to build a life column.

01:17:11.135 --> 01:17:30.215
Arthur is the number one best selling author of 13 books, including build your lie build the life you want in 2023, coauthored with Oprah Winfrey, and from strength to strength, finding success, happiness, and deep purpose in the second half of life.

01:17:31.875 --> 01:17:53.330
Brooks is one of the world's leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies, and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well well-being to others.

01:17:57.535 --> 01:18:07.955
Arthur also, of all of these things, is a husband and father who walks the walk.

01:18:09.310 --> 01:18:11.490
He is a man of faith.

01:18:13.630 --> 01:18:14.770
He is a friend.

01:18:16.670 --> 01:18:26.945
And I think I can say he is a true apostle, somebody who is truly trying to change culture for love of Christ.

01:18:29.165 --> 01:18:41.060
We are honored today to award Arthur Brooks this honoris causa degree and to invite him to say a few words as our main speaker today.

01:19:22.025 --> 01:19:23.245
Thank you, father John.

01:19:23.545 --> 01:19:24.285
Thank you.

01:19:24.665 --> 01:19:33.485
Thank you so much, president, father Sikorsky, bishop Burbich, bishop Laverde, faculty, staff, trustees, families, and especially graduates.

01:19:34.560 --> 01:19:40.500
I'm so grateful to you for inviting me here today to speak to you and and and to receive this honorary degree.

01:19:41.280 --> 01:19:44.500
This is something I've been looking forward to because this is a special community.

01:19:45.360 --> 01:20:02.425
Congratulations on your achievement, of course, But even more on the work that you're about to do, that beautiful homily by Bishop Burbich talking about the opportunity to lift up other people in need, the the privilege of being able to do so with the expertise that you've gained.

01:20:02.990 --> 01:20:07.570
It's now needed more than at any other time in my lifetime at least.

01:20:07.950 --> 01:20:13.330
I don't have to tell you about the grim statistics about mental health in America or the world.

01:20:13.710 --> 01:20:15.250
A lot of people are in pain.

01:20:15.435 --> 01:20:20.415
And that's what you will be seeking to address with your first class training at DMU.

01:20:21.195 --> 01:20:29.775
But you're also equipped with more than just competence and psychological science, also with the cross and gospel of Jesus Christ.

01:20:30.800 --> 01:20:32.100
Of course, you know this.

01:20:32.960 --> 01:20:37.700
But here's my question, really my challenge for the graduates today, but really for all of us.

01:20:38.480 --> 01:20:50.715
How do you see yourselves not just as Catholic professionals helping Catholic people, But rather, using your expertise, how can you be missionaries in a secular society?

01:20:51.415 --> 01:21:00.530
How can you use what you're excellent at and what the world admires you for and the skills that you've gained to lift people up and take them to heaven.

01:21:01.230 --> 01:21:02.370
How does that work?

01:21:03.710 --> 01:21:08.670
Well, the truth of the matter is that you're some of the best people to do exactly that.

01:21:08.670 --> 01:21:09.170
Why?

01:21:09.710 --> 01:21:15.855
The con con celebrants of the mass, they're our, as Catholics, they're our uniformed military.

01:21:17.435 --> 01:21:18.495
We're the spies.

01:21:20.315 --> 01:21:21.695
We're the secret agents.

01:21:22.315 --> 01:21:28.610
We can do a lot because nobody's paying attention when we're talking about the faith and lifting them up.

01:21:29.150 --> 01:21:36.050
So what I wanna do in just ten or twelve minutes, because they didn't give me an hour, you're they will all be pleased to know.

01:21:37.630 --> 01:21:39.710
How do I do it and how can you do it?

01:21:39.710 --> 01:21:42.275
See, my job I'm a behavioral scientist as as well.

01:21:42.275 --> 01:21:43.335
I'm not a clinician.

01:21:43.475 --> 01:21:44.295
I'm a researcher.

01:21:44.355 --> 01:21:47.895
My PhD is in in in research and behavioral science.

01:21:48.835 --> 01:21:51.975
But I teach the science of happiness at Harvard University.

01:21:52.835 --> 01:21:56.970
I teach large classes of students at the Harvard Business School.

01:21:56.970 --> 01:21:58.990
My job is not overt proselytization.

01:21:59.610 --> 01:22:03.390
If it were, I would be in the unemployment line in approximately twenty minutes.

01:22:05.450 --> 01:22:07.470
But it's still missionary work.

01:22:07.850 --> 01:22:17.265
Over the years, I've done missionary work in my ordinary secular work as a scientist by employing three principles that I'm gonna offer you today.

01:22:19.085 --> 01:22:22.465
To start your journey as a missionary, here's three ideas.

01:22:23.500 --> 01:22:24.320
Number one.

01:22:24.860 --> 01:22:26.480
This one sounds easy as not.

01:22:27.340 --> 01:22:29.280
Be public about your Catholic faith.

01:22:30.540 --> 01:22:32.640
You know, it's easy to be private Catholics.

01:22:33.100 --> 01:22:37.440
We're all with our community here, with our pals, people who understand us.

01:22:38.195 --> 01:22:43.475
But out in the world, when we're not hanging out together, it's too easy to keep it private.

01:22:43.475 --> 01:22:44.295
Isn't it?

01:22:45.155 --> 01:22:47.655
A lot of academics do this, by the way.

01:22:47.795 --> 01:22:49.875
A lot of my fellow professors around the country.

01:22:49.875 --> 01:22:52.515
I do about a 100 lectures outside of Harvard a year.

01:22:52.515 --> 01:22:53.655
A lot of them at universities.

01:22:54.010 --> 01:22:59.710
And mostly secular institutions and other professors come to me and they say, I'm Catholic too.

01:23:00.570 --> 01:23:02.510
As if it were some sort of big secret.

01:23:04.570 --> 01:23:06.670
That's not the right way to do it.

01:23:07.215 --> 01:23:16.095
Now there's a reason sometimes that being a Catholic, that having an unusual view in a secular world, especially when you're in the world of science, sometimes it's hard to do that.

01:23:16.095 --> 01:23:18.275
The reason is not because we face discrimination.

01:23:18.415 --> 01:23:19.535
That's just not right.

01:23:19.535 --> 01:23:28.190
Thank God we live in America where we are not discriminated against in any material or or serious way for our views, for our beliefs.

01:23:28.730 --> 01:23:29.950
The problem is us.

01:23:31.050 --> 01:23:33.050
You know this because you've studied this.

01:23:33.050 --> 01:23:34.990
The rest of us don't always remember.

01:23:35.675 --> 01:23:43.215
Our brains are designed to make us resist standing out against a prevailing view.

01:23:44.155 --> 01:23:49.295
The ancient console of tissue inside our brains that processes our emotions is called the limbic system.

01:23:49.350 --> 01:23:53.610
It's between two and forty million years ago and it has this little thing inside it.

01:23:53.830 --> 01:23:54.790
It's a technical thing.

01:23:54.790 --> 01:23:55.910
You don't have to remember this.

01:23:55.910 --> 01:23:57.130
There's no quiz later.

01:23:57.750 --> 01:24:04.970
It's called the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and it has one job to make you not want to be rejected socially.

01:24:05.675 --> 01:24:09.535
That was evolved so you will not get thrown out of your tribe.

01:24:10.555 --> 01:24:10.875
Why?

01:24:10.875 --> 01:24:15.535
Because 250,000 ago, you'd walk the frozen tundra and die alone.

01:24:16.635 --> 01:24:17.915
Well, not today, friends.

01:24:17.915 --> 01:24:19.615
But we still have the same brain.

01:24:19.770 --> 01:24:25.130
And so when the when the world is going this way, we wanna go this way too.

01:24:25.130 --> 01:24:29.550
And sometimes we're silent about zagging when the world is zigging.

01:24:30.810 --> 01:24:32.030
That's a big problem.

01:24:33.005 --> 01:24:34.685
We need to stand up to that.

01:24:34.685 --> 01:24:49.110
We need to use the the divine center of our brain, the prefrontal cortex, the executive center of our brain to make the decisions that we want given our beliefs, notwithstanding what we feel because of our evolutionary proclivities.

01:24:50.370 --> 01:24:52.310
We have a a divine nature.

01:24:52.610 --> 01:24:55.270
That's what it means to be a believing Christian.

01:24:55.490 --> 01:24:56.230
Use it.

01:24:56.450 --> 01:25:01.185
And the way to use it is by being public about our faith, notwithstanding our feelings.

01:25:01.265 --> 01:25:03.365
And getting used to it so that we're not afraid.

01:25:03.505 --> 01:25:10.325
And as excellent professionals that gain the admiration of others, that's the most important thing that we can do.

01:25:10.385 --> 01:25:11.205
And the result?

01:25:12.705 --> 01:25:13.685
Oh, it's funny.

01:25:14.560 --> 01:25:18.800
During the lectures that I do publicly, I get to meet a lot of different audiences.

01:25:18.800 --> 01:25:23.300
And not that long ago, I was in Georgia giving a talk to a group of surgeons.

01:25:24.400 --> 01:25:25.540
Those are tough people.

01:25:26.665 --> 01:25:27.165
Surgeons.

01:25:27.225 --> 01:25:27.465
Yeah.

01:25:27.465 --> 01:25:32.765
I mean, they're smarter than everybody, cooler than everybody, or sophisticated than everybody.

01:25:33.065 --> 01:25:37.965
And I was about to go up and give my speech about a neuroscience topic, typical to my research.

01:25:38.425 --> 01:25:44.980
But before I did, I crossed myself because I always do to offer up my words For the holy souls in purgatory.

01:25:45.840 --> 01:25:47.540
All those surgeons in purgatory.

01:25:51.680 --> 01:25:55.760
And afterward, a surgeon comes up to me and he says, I thought he was going to say, oh, I liked your speech.

01:25:55.760 --> 01:25:55.920
No.

01:25:55.920 --> 01:25:57.540
And he tears in his eyes.

01:25:57.835 --> 01:25:59.835
And he said, that was so meaningful to me.

01:25:59.835 --> 01:26:00.975
And I said, well, thank you.

01:26:01.515 --> 01:26:02.415
What did I say?

01:26:03.115 --> 01:26:04.155
He said, that wasn't it.

01:26:04.155 --> 01:26:06.735
I say you crossed yourself before you gave your talk.

01:26:07.915 --> 01:26:09.215
I wanna do that.

01:26:09.675 --> 01:26:10.895
I was raised Catholic.

01:26:11.610 --> 01:26:13.390
I've been gone for a long time.

01:26:14.570 --> 01:26:15.550
I want that.

01:26:17.530 --> 01:26:20.030
I said, man, there's a church on every corner.

01:26:20.970 --> 01:26:22.030
It's like Starbucks.

01:26:24.010 --> 01:26:25.310
But it takes you to heaven.

01:26:27.095 --> 01:26:28.935
And who knows where he is at this point?

01:26:28.935 --> 01:26:31.335
Well, why was he evangelized in that moment?

01:26:31.335 --> 01:26:36.155
He was evangelized in that moment moment not because of anything I said, but because I was public about my faith.

01:26:36.695 --> 01:26:38.075
And we can all do that.

01:26:39.110 --> 01:26:40.070
That's number one.

01:26:40.070 --> 01:26:43.270
But but it takes a little bit of practice to be public.

01:26:43.270 --> 01:26:50.490
And that leads me to my point number two, which is making our faith not just public but natural and normal.

01:26:51.495 --> 01:26:58.955
You know, many people who are trying to make a point of being publicly Catholic, unfortunately, they make it a little bit awkward.

01:26:59.495 --> 01:27:01.115
It's a little bit in your face.

01:27:01.495 --> 01:27:07.580
It's a little bit weird because they try to inject it into every single conversation and it feels sort of forced.

01:27:07.880 --> 01:27:10.600
But but here's the funny thing about the naturalness of faith.

01:27:10.600 --> 01:27:17.420
Faith is literally the most natural thing in the world for homo sapiens, for our species.

01:27:18.040 --> 01:27:21.825
Research shows that humans have a religious instinct.

01:27:23.325 --> 01:27:25.805
Many believe it is biological in nature.

01:27:25.805 --> 01:27:29.105
I happen to share that view based on the preponderance of evidence.

01:27:29.245 --> 01:27:34.305
There are literally no societies recorded in human history that are not religious.

01:27:34.820 --> 01:27:36.260
Not one.

01:27:36.260 --> 01:27:37.480
We are made to worship.

01:27:37.940 --> 01:27:38.760
That's the truth.

01:27:39.060 --> 01:27:40.280
You know what's unnatural?

01:27:41.060 --> 01:27:41.560
Secularism.

01:27:41.940 --> 01:27:42.760
That's unnatural.

01:27:43.620 --> 01:27:46.260
That's the most unnatural thing that people can turn to.

01:27:46.260 --> 01:27:53.515
And that's the reason, my friends, that people all over the world turn to non religious things to get their religion.

01:27:54.535 --> 01:27:59.915
Secularism has torqued us away from the natural to the unnatural because we have this instinct.

01:28:00.920 --> 01:28:04.780
Things like politics and social activism.

01:28:05.720 --> 01:28:11.900
They're characterized today by talk about good and evil and with esoteric language and with ritual.

01:28:12.840 --> 01:28:17.375
All we need on campus for their politics is to have incense, then we'll have it all.

01:28:19.355 --> 01:28:23.215
But fake religion doesn't get the job done, my friends.

01:28:23.755 --> 01:28:30.170
That's why politics and activism, when they become an identity, always, always, always lead to depression unnatural?

01:28:33.137 --> 01:28:41.985
And the reason is because the world has path unnatural?

01:28:41.985 --> 01:28:47.765
And the reason is because the world has pathologized the natural and normal and has normalized the pathological.

01:28:48.545 --> 01:28:51.205
That's the little trick of the dark one in our world today.

01:28:51.745 --> 01:28:53.285
We see this all around us.

01:28:54.100 --> 01:28:58.820
Your faith, oh, it's weird and funny but shocking and immoral and bad things.

01:28:58.820 --> 01:28:59.720
No big deal.

01:29:00.100 --> 01:29:00.580
Right?

01:29:00.580 --> 01:29:03.800
Cruelty, greed, licentiousness, death.

01:29:03.940 --> 01:29:04.440
Normal.

01:29:05.140 --> 01:29:07.000
But going to mass at lunch on Wednesday?

01:29:07.300 --> 01:29:08.120
Really weird.

01:29:10.345 --> 01:29:11.645
So so what's the answer?

01:29:12.505 --> 01:29:16.765
The answer is to make it as the most natural thing in your life.

01:29:17.225 --> 01:29:20.845
Here's how I do it in my classes and in my talks.

01:29:21.065 --> 01:29:29.240
I have made a commitment that I will not neglect to say at least once in every public appearance that my Catholic faith is the most important thing in my life.

01:29:29.240 --> 01:29:31.260
And I just throw it out there.

01:29:31.720 --> 01:29:34.680
Oh, and by the way, when I'm talking about faith, I'm a Catholic.

01:29:34.680 --> 01:29:37.100
It happens to be the most important thing in my life.

01:29:38.565 --> 01:29:39.065
Normal.

01:29:39.285 --> 01:29:40.265
I could have mass.

01:29:40.725 --> 01:29:44.745
I also breathe air and eat food and wear pants out in public.

01:29:46.885 --> 01:29:49.465
Although, you wouldn't really know if I'm not right now, would you?

01:29:52.740 --> 01:30:05.000
You know, it's so natural, as a matter of fact, that when people come up to me and say, oh, how brave that you're a public Catholic at a place like Harvard University down the world, as if I were, chief rabbi in Mecca or something.

01:30:06.260 --> 01:30:06.760
No.

01:30:07.205 --> 01:30:07.705
No.

01:30:08.245 --> 01:30:09.865
How could I live any other way?

01:30:10.805 --> 01:30:11.705
Make it natural.

01:30:11.925 --> 01:30:14.105
And last but not least, here's my last point.

01:30:14.725 --> 01:30:19.125
Make your faith magnetic because that turns out to be the master stroke.

01:30:19.125 --> 01:30:20.250
You're doing it in public.

01:30:20.250 --> 01:30:25.070
You're making it natural and you draw people to you because of your faith.

01:30:25.130 --> 01:30:29.310
We are, if you haven't noticed, in a pretty serious culture war in this country.

01:30:30.410 --> 01:30:32.030
If you haven't noticed it, congratulations.

01:30:33.495 --> 01:30:38.875
It means you don't watch TV at night or participate in social media, but it's pretty bad.

01:30:39.335 --> 01:30:40.475
Worse than I've seen.

01:30:41.415 --> 01:30:51.950
Now why do we participate in that as Catholics with the the bitterness, the contempt, the anger, the hatred across political lines, across ideological lines.

01:30:51.950 --> 01:30:55.250
And the reason is, once again, our brains make us do that.

01:30:55.390 --> 01:31:00.750
When we are threatened, there's a part of our brain called the amygdala that says fight or flight.

01:31:00.750 --> 01:31:02.955
When When somebody disagrees with us ideologically.

01:31:03.175 --> 01:31:08.715
When somebody says a nasty thing about our Catholic faith, it lights up our amygdala like a Christmas tree.

01:31:09.895 --> 01:31:11.595
And it says, fight now.

01:31:11.815 --> 01:31:12.870
And how do we fight?

01:31:12.870 --> 01:31:17.770
We fight using the tools that people are using against us and then we're not behaving like Catholics.

01:31:18.630 --> 01:31:23.290
You know the best way to eviscerate your faith and make it repellent to the outside world?

01:31:23.750 --> 01:31:24.885
Act like they do.

01:31:25.605 --> 01:31:27.285
That's the best way to do it.

01:31:27.285 --> 01:31:29.205
So so so what do we do?

01:31:29.205 --> 01:31:30.005
What's the answer?

01:31:30.005 --> 01:31:31.445
People ask that all the time.

01:31:31.445 --> 01:31:32.985
And here's the typical answer.

01:31:33.445 --> 01:31:34.265
Be civil.

01:31:35.525 --> 01:31:36.265
Be tolerant.

01:31:37.365 --> 01:31:38.265
That's garbage.

01:31:39.530 --> 01:31:47.870
If I told you that my wife Esther and I are civil to each other, you'd say, dude, you guys need therapy from a graduate of Divine Mercy University.

01:31:49.770 --> 01:31:55.795
If I told you that my employees tolerate me, you'd say I have a huge human resource problem on my hands.

01:31:55.795 --> 01:31:55.955
No.

01:31:55.955 --> 01:31:56.115
No.

01:31:56.115 --> 01:31:56.515
No.

01:31:56.515 --> 01:31:57.895
That's not the standard.

01:31:58.995 --> 01:32:00.215
You know what the standard is?

01:32:00.515 --> 01:32:02.135
Taught a long time ago.

01:32:03.395 --> 01:32:06.695
You've heard that you should love your friends and hate your enemies.

01:32:06.835 --> 01:32:08.615
But today I give you a new teaching.

01:32:09.450 --> 01:32:10.350
Love your enemies.

01:32:10.570 --> 01:32:12.510
Pray for those who persecute you.

01:32:12.810 --> 01:32:15.530
My friends, that's the Catholic standard.

01:32:15.530 --> 01:32:16.890
That's the Christian life.

01:32:16.890 --> 01:32:21.230
That is the privilege that Bishop Berbich was talking about.

01:32:22.095 --> 01:32:24.895
You're out in a tough world lifting people up.

01:32:24.895 --> 01:32:31.715
A lot of those people are participating in behavior that does not become us as Catholic people.

01:32:31.935 --> 01:32:33.395
They disagree with you.

01:32:34.015 --> 01:32:35.395
They're doing the wrong thing.

01:32:35.455 --> 01:32:36.275
Love them.

01:32:37.470 --> 01:32:41.390
That's what we're learning to do as scientists, as Catholics.

01:32:41.390 --> 01:32:41.630
No.

01:32:41.630 --> 01:32:43.250
As Catholic scientists.

01:32:44.750 --> 01:32:46.290
But I don't feel like it.

01:32:46.670 --> 01:32:47.330
I know.

01:32:47.870 --> 01:32:48.850
It doesn't matter.

01:32:49.390 --> 01:32:51.250
Because that's not what love is.

01:32:52.385 --> 01:32:59.605
Saint Thomas Aquinas said in December in the Summa Theologia, to love is to will the good of the other, not feel anything.

01:33:00.705 --> 01:33:05.925
You did not study people's feelings, only people's feelings.

01:33:06.940 --> 01:33:11.520
You studied how people can actually be not withstanding their feelings.

01:33:12.140 --> 01:33:14.700
People don't have to be managed by their feelings.

01:33:14.700 --> 01:33:19.040
They can manage their feelings in the way to do so is to exercise their heavenly will.

01:33:19.375 --> 01:33:21.375
That's what Saint Thomas Aquinas was talking about.

01:33:21.375 --> 01:33:24.015
That's the lesson he was giving us for psychological science today.

01:33:24.015 --> 01:33:26.755
He was a very adroit behavioral scientist himself.

01:33:28.335 --> 01:33:31.055
Love your enemies by willing their good.

01:33:31.055 --> 01:33:33.635
Love everybody by willing their good.

01:33:33.880 --> 01:33:39.660
Catholic missionaries in ordinary life decide how to act despite their emotions.

01:33:40.680 --> 01:33:44.600
Return contempt and disagreement with love.

01:33:44.600 --> 01:33:49.100
And what you will do is make people ask how did she do that?

01:33:49.635 --> 01:33:50.855
How did he do that?

01:33:51.235 --> 01:33:54.295
And then they'll find that it's because of your Christian faith.

01:33:54.995 --> 01:34:02.775
And then that's what they will want, which is your gift to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and get souls to heaven.

01:34:03.970 --> 01:34:05.030
That's all we want.

01:34:06.690 --> 01:34:07.830
Let me sum up.

01:34:08.530 --> 01:34:13.030
We are called in our ordinary lives to sanctify our work as missionaries.

01:34:13.570 --> 01:34:16.530
You don't have to leave your secular job or knock on doors.

01:34:16.530 --> 01:34:18.165
You don't have to be that kind of missionary.

01:34:18.165 --> 01:34:18.665
Look.

01:34:19.045 --> 01:34:22.665
There's here's words that nobody in human history has ever uttered.

01:34:22.805 --> 01:34:23.625
Good news.

01:34:23.685 --> 01:34:26.025
There's missionaries on the porch.

01:34:26.085 --> 01:34:26.585
No.

01:34:26.965 --> 01:34:27.465
Never.

01:34:28.725 --> 01:34:32.340
But but but you don't have to because you're sneak you're sneakier than that.

01:34:32.580 --> 01:34:32.980
Right?

01:34:32.980 --> 01:34:35.060
You're doing excellent work in helping people.

01:34:35.060 --> 01:34:36.520
That's your missionary work.

01:34:37.300 --> 01:34:44.600
And to do that, follow a formula to sanctify that secular work by making your faith public, by making it natural, by making it magnetic.

01:34:45.325 --> 01:35:02.140
Strive to follow that formula as you go forth from this great institution, and you will begin the journey of love and excellence and truth, which will bring you and me and all of us greater happiness and greater hope and greater holiness.

01:35:03.000 --> 01:35:03.980
God bless you.

01:35:04.520 --> 01:35:06.060
Congratulations on this achievement.

01:35:06.680 --> 01:35:10.140
And let's all pray for the graduates for their important work.

01:35:10.785 --> 01:35:11.685
Thank you very much.

01:35:41.855 --> 01:35:46.275
We have reached the point in the ceremony at which degrees are to be conferred.

01:35:47.540 --> 01:35:55.480
The university's degree granting authority is contained in the charter granted to Divine Mercy University by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

01:35:55.860 --> 01:36:08.825
And I quote, as of 01/18/2000, the state councilor of higher education for Virginia grants approval to Divine Mercy University to confer academic and professional degrees.

01:36:10.405 --> 01:36:15.465
We will now recognize the degree candidates for the master of science in counseling program.

01:36:18.260 --> 01:36:22.360
Will the following please come forward to take your place for the conferral of degrees?

01:36:23.060 --> 01:36:29.640
Doctor Eric Perry, program director, and father Charles Sikorsky, university president.

01:36:36.315 --> 01:36:39.775
Will the graduates please stand and come forward?

01:36:40.955 --> 01:36:45.135
The faculty have certified that each candidate has completed all requirements.

01:36:46.240 --> 01:36:51.460
The university is pleased to confer degrees to our graduates of the master of science in counseling program.

01:36:52.800 --> 01:36:55.620
As I call your name, please come forward.

01:36:59.095 --> 01:37:00.955
Sister Teresa Adewobi.

01:37:25.455 --> 01:37:26.035
Haley Arndt.

01:37:37.950 --> 01:38:06.650
Catherine Atwell, Alyssa Balderas Martinez, Maria BG.

01:38:17.615 --> 01:39:44.295
Jennifer Bishop Milano, Penina Boros, Kristen Brown, father Raymond Bueno, father David Bustamante, sister Gianna Casino, Mary Teresa Donahoe.

01:39:55.910 --> 01:39:56.650
James Elsinger.

01:40:07.455 --> 01:40:10.595
Suzanne Hamdi.

01:40:22.640 --> 01:40:36.955
Amalia Hanson, Emily Jackson.

01:40:49.410 --> 01:41:42.635
Rachel Johnson, Mariana Kajariwal, Aaron Lofi, Claire Menes, Dylis Minang.

01:41:53.740 --> 01:41:55.120
Jacob Minang.

01:42:06.455 --> 01:42:08.075
Benjamin Mitchell.

01:42:18.680 --> 01:42:19.980
Eileen Munoz.

01:42:29.855 --> 01:42:31.235
Maria Osborne.

01:42:43.880 --> 01:43:12.920
Adrian Remmert, Madeline Robertson, Catherine Scheidler.

01:43:24.755 --> 01:43:28.295
Rebecca Six.

01:43:40.030 --> 01:43:41.490
Emily Stucker.

01:43:52.445 --> 01:43:53.585
Sarah Subler.

01:44:05.830 --> 01:44:46.075
Teresa Tulpa, Mary Ame Ubaru, Joshua Urutia, Margaret Wagner.

01:44:57.255 --> 01:44:58.475
Youngjay Yang.

01:45:09.860 --> 01:46:21.135
We also include in abstentia, Krista Brown, Joshua Calhoun, Leah Chen, Angela Coleman, John Collins, Savannah Courteau, Mary Elizabeth Darling, Ludivine DeCampberg, Steven Duran, Grace Fanning, Ryan Francisco, Johanna Fuentes Murillo, Jana Claire Garza, Brandy Graves, Samuel Hajis, Carrie Hall, Erin Hartman, Joshua Hernandez Guerrero, Margaret Hudak, Thomas Keller, Krista Long, Susanna Matlon, Liana Merrill, Claire Shepherdson, Duncan t Meyer, Mary Ruth Traver, Leanne Veach, Katie Villareal, Sarah Howells, Amy Walsh, Perry West, Colby Young.

01:46:22.440 --> 01:46:24.300
Will the graduates please stand?

01:46:25.320 --> 01:46:29.340
Graduates, you may now move your tassel from the right to the left.

01:46:29.640 --> 01:46:32.460
Let us congratulate our master of science in counseling.

01:46:49.620 --> 01:46:54.120
We will now recognize the degree candidates for the master of psychology program.

01:46:55.060 --> 01:47:03.000
Will doctor Julia Clousely, program director of the master of science in psychology, please come forward to take your place for the conferral of degrees?

01:47:04.025 --> 01:47:05.965
Will the graduates please come forward?

01:47:07.625 --> 01:47:13.485
The university is pleased to confer degrees to our graduates of the master of science in psychology program.

01:47:14.265 --> 01:47:16.925
As I call your name, please come forward.

01:47:20.570 --> 01:47:21.950
Father Robert Abatasarabi.

01:47:37.405 --> 01:47:38.705
Joseph Bocook.

01:47:53.160 --> 01:48:11.005
Christine Casabianca, Alisa Daley.

01:48:26.680 --> 01:48:28.300
Patricia Della Tawada.

01:48:47.480 --> 01:48:48.140
Laura Esposito.

01:49:17.920 --> 01:49:35.605
Juliana Glaskova, Marchine Klinsky.

01:49:52.890 --> 01:50:45.090
Father Brian Holton, Kejian Innes, father Abraham Lucas, Asha Melville.

01:51:00.665 --> 01:51:01.965
Madeline Pereira.

01:51:16.740 --> 01:51:18.040
Daniel Schramm.

01:51:33.405 --> 01:52:09.510
Father Jason Smith, Matthew Stewart, Leonardo Suano Negrini.

01:52:24.005 --> 01:53:45.555
Father Jacob Thomas, We also include an abstention, sister Janet Engala, Cassandra Baber, Lorena Bernal Mendoza, father Marco Carrasco, Yesenia Castillo, Gina Galassi, father Joao Paulo Garcia, father John Henry Hansen, sister Grace Heinrich, Chad Hemsoth, Shadia Umaran, father Pito Idowu, Jessica Imson, father Nicholas Klemier, Lindita Khomani, Justin Liner, Deacon Mike McGrady, Helen Jane Maroney, Colin Petrowski, Kimberly Solti, sister Mariella Stodden, father Daniel Schwartz, Tracy Taylor, Marie von Rudin, father Daniel Zeria Garza.

01:53:47.215 --> 01:53:48.915
Will the graduates please stand?

01:53:51.615 --> 01:53:55.380
Graduates, you may now move your tassel from the right to the left.

01:53:55.540 --> 01:53:57.400
Let us congratulate our graduates.

01:54:10.725 --> 01:54:15.145
We will now recognize the degree candidates for the master of psychology program.

01:54:15.765 --> 01:54:19.705
Will the follow-up please come forward and take your place for the conferral of degrees?

01:54:20.085 --> 01:54:34.010
Doctor Lisa Kowicki, Dean for the Institute for the Psychological Sciences and director of the doctor of psychology in clinical psychology program, and doctor Helena Orianna, director of clinical training for this ID program.

01:54:35.430 --> 01:54:37.370
Will the graduates please come forward?

01:54:38.695 --> 01:54:42.795
The university is pleased to confer degrees to our graduates of the master of psychology.

01:54:43.495 --> 01:54:45.915
As I call your name, please come forward.

01:54:47.975 --> 01:54:49.835
Sarah Marie Alemangohan.

01:55:05.795 --> 01:55:07.175
Amelia Becerra.

01:55:23.230 --> 01:55:24.450
Tiffany Blanco.

01:55:40.175 --> 01:55:41.555
Joshua Elmore.

01:55:55.550 --> 01:55:56.850
Gabrielle Gum.

01:56:09.945 --> 01:56:11.325
Elizabeth Willis.

01:56:31.115 --> 01:56:48.990
Marcus Lines, Brit Lloyd.

01:57:04.535 --> 01:57:05.755
Andrea Peter.

01:57:19.930 --> 01:57:21.390
Matthew Ronconi.

01:57:37.350 --> 01:57:39.450
Gabriela Rueloba Portilla.

01:57:57.775 --> 01:58:01.315
Will the master of psychology graduates please stand?

01:58:06.730 --> 01:58:11.310
Graduates, you may now move your tassel from the right to the left.

01:58:11.770 --> 01:58:13.630
Let us congratulate our graduates.

01:58:29.185 --> 01:58:34.325
We will now recognize the degree candidates for the doctor of psychology in clinical psychology.

01:58:35.280 --> 01:58:37.300
Will the graduates please come forward?

01:58:38.480 --> 01:58:44.900
The university is pleased to confer degrees to our graduates of the doctor of psychology in clinical psychology degree.

01:58:45.520 --> 01:58:52.475
The candidates' dissertation chair will preside at the conferral of their degree and the title of their dissertation will be read.

01:58:53.655 --> 01:58:56.235
As I call your name, please come forward.

01:58:58.215 --> 01:58:59.275
Jonathan Baggett.

01:59:01.255 --> 01:59:13.410
The need for a psychologically informed emotional healing prayer intervention for people who self identify as Catholic, a literature review focusing on psychological science, human needs, and diversity.

01:59:14.270 --> 01:59:17.010
Dissertation chair by doctor Anna Pecoraro.

01:59:47.515 --> 01:59:48.575
Eniola King.

01:59:48.715 --> 01:59:49.215
Yeah.

01:59:54.235 --> 01:59:59.055
A mixed methods exploration of hope in suicide prevention amongst black women.

01:59:59.835 --> 02:00:01.775
Chaired by doctor Rebecca Morse.

02:00:34.080 --> 02:00:35.140
Isaiah Lam.

02:00:37.840 --> 02:00:42.980
Attachment to God in low income populations, chaired by doctor Suzanne Hallman.

02:01:21.315 --> 02:01:22.695
Julianne Winn.

02:01:26.995 --> 02:01:28.295
Hope versus hopeless.

02:01:28.630 --> 02:01:32.010
The experience of grief related to sibling incarceration.

02:01:33.270 --> 02:01:35.130
Chaired by doctor Rebecca Morse.

02:02:03.300 --> 02:02:03.460
Matthew Winn.

02:02:03.460 --> 02:02:13.745
Catholic anthropology enhances religious education in high schoolers, implication for program development.

02:02:14.285 --> 02:02:15.985
Chaired by doctor Lisa Kawicki.

02:02:45.185 --> 02:02:46.805
Daniel Isaac Paris.

02:02:48.385 --> 02:02:58.070
All things in moderation, the effects of a media fast on mobile phone habits, self control, well-being, and interpersonal competence in emerging adults.

02:02:58.450 --> 02:03:00.310
Chaired by doctor Rebecca Morse.

02:03:27.490 --> 02:03:28.630
Chelsea Smith.

02:03:32.765 --> 02:03:39.105
A developmental and behavioral explanation of the relationship between feeling worthy and binge eating behavior.

02:03:39.565 --> 02:03:42.865
Is food filling a void of relationality according to the CCMMP?

02:03:44.125 --> 02:03:45.985
Chaired by doctor Rebecca Morse.

02:04:11.825 --> 02:04:12.885
William Johnston.

02:04:14.145 --> 02:04:24.750
Combat post traumatic stress disorder as complex and considerations for future treatment of combat complex PTSD, chaired by doctor Phil Scraffani.

02:04:52.410 --> 02:04:53.630
Christopher Tappell.

02:04:57.595 --> 02:05:03.775
Shame and trauma in the body, grounded theory content analysis, chaired by doctor Anna Pecoraro.

02:05:56.135 --> 02:05:59.275
Will the doctor of psychology graduates please stand?

02:06:03.975 --> 02:06:07.770
Graduates, you may now move your tassel from the right to the left.

02:06:08.010 --> 02:06:10.110
Let us congratulate our graduates.

02:06:28.145 --> 02:06:36.725
Father Charles, DMU faculty, family and friends, and honored guests, it is my great joy and honor to present the class of 2025.

02:07:15.200 --> 02:07:27.635
Since our foundation in 1999, Divine Mercy University has conferred seven eighty one master's graduates and 112 doctoral graduates.

02:07:29.055 --> 02:07:42.140
In the pursuit of their vocation to heal, our growing number of alumni are making an impact in the field of psychology, in the culture, in the church, and in the world.

02:07:43.640 --> 02:07:47.655
This ever expanding reach of the mission is truly inspiring.

02:07:48.995 --> 02:08:10.630
To mark and recognize this history, the university presents the distinguished alumni award to a graduate who has made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments, affiliations and career have honored the legacy of excellence of their alma mater.

02:08:12.050 --> 02:08:15.430
Recipients of this award are accomplished in the following areas.

02:08:16.515 --> 02:08:26.215
Professional achievement, leadership, service to the community, and faithful advancement of the mission and vision of the university.

02:08:28.130 --> 02:08:40.390
It is with great pride and joy that we present the 2025 distinguished alumni award to mother Mary Conchepta, class of 2015.

02:08:53.645 --> 02:09:03.090
On 06/01/2023, Mother Mary Conchafta was elected as the second superior general of the Sisters of Life.

02:09:03.710 --> 02:09:15.985
The Sisters of Life were founded by John Cardinal O'Connor in 1991, entrusted with the charism and mission to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.

02:09:17.485 --> 02:09:24.305
Mother Mary Concepta worked as a cardiac nurse before entering the Sisters of Life in 2003.

02:09:25.460 --> 02:09:33.240
Prior to her election as superior general, she served as the local superior of the Visitation Mission in New York City.

02:09:34.180 --> 02:09:44.305
She also helped to found the community's mission in Denver, Colorado and served there for seven years in a mission of evangelization to college students.

02:09:45.885 --> 02:09:53.905
Before being missioned to Denver, she completed a master's in clinical psychology at the Institute for Psychological Sciences.

02:09:55.900 --> 02:10:08.080
Mother Mary Concepta is a true representative of distinguished alumni with significant contributions to the field of psychology and constant dedication to the mission and vision of the university.

02:10:08.905 --> 02:10:13.725
We are honored to present Mother Mary Concepter with this award.

02:10:14.585 --> 02:10:17.085
Mother Mary Concepter, please come forward.

02:10:43.745 --> 02:10:45.525
Well, good afternoon and congratulations.

02:10:46.465 --> 02:10:51.300
Most especially to the graduates, graduates and to all your family and friends gathered here today.

02:10:52.080 --> 02:10:59.460
I warmly greet your excellencies, Bishop Burbridge and Bishop Laverde and esteemed honorees and trustees that are with us.

02:11:00.000 --> 02:11:04.425
And I thank you father Sikorsky and all of your faculty and staff for this kind honor.

02:11:04.425 --> 02:11:05.485
Thank you so much.

02:11:06.505 --> 02:11:14.125
It's a blessing to be here having graduated now ten years ago from what was then known as the Institute for Psychological Sciences.

02:11:14.905 --> 02:11:22.260
And I'm very grateful for that time of study and the great deepening in my understanding of the human person, body, mind, and soul.

02:11:22.960 --> 02:11:36.505
Every bit of my education has assisted me with ever greater depth and capacity to live the charism of the sisters of life, to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life, which is our fourth vow.

02:11:37.845 --> 02:11:43.225
Each of you graduating here today has given yourself to a healing profession.

02:11:44.330 --> 02:11:50.590
You desire for each person entrusted to your care the full flourishing of their humanity.

02:11:51.530 --> 02:12:16.240
And this is evident in the very name of your institution and according to its mission statement, which was mentioned to you by Bishop Burbage, that the university is dedicated to the renewal of the Catholic Christian intellectual tradition and the integration of the theoretical and empirical basis of psychology with a Catholic view of the human person, which makes a unique contribution in today's world of psychology.

02:12:17.500 --> 02:12:22.560
It goes on to say that we view reality and each person as a gift.

02:12:23.340 --> 02:12:30.225
We recognize the primacy of God's gift, which humanity is invited to receive and to give in turn.

02:12:31.325 --> 02:12:39.025
Therefore, we seek to promote and participate in an authentic culture of life at the university and in the broader culture.

02:12:39.610 --> 02:12:48.030
And the sisters of life are so happy to be coworkers in the vineyard with you in building a culture of life one heart at a time.

02:12:48.730 --> 02:12:57.755
We affirm like you that the human being has been created in the image of God and so every person has transcendent dignity.

02:12:59.495 --> 02:13:07.435
And so in upholding this sacred dignity, you will be instrumental in helping people to pick up the pieces of their scattered lives.

02:13:08.870 --> 02:13:13.850
It is an honor, a gift, and also a sorrow to hear stories of pain.

02:13:15.110 --> 02:13:28.925
Yet it is also a wonder to allow the lord to draw us into his own work of transformation, to be a facilitator of his ordering, restoring, and healing work in another human person.

02:13:29.785 --> 02:13:35.085
What a sacred entrustment that each of you have been given and that you have fully received.

02:13:36.460 --> 02:13:49.360
God trusts you to assist the person before you from darkness to light, from disorder to order, from bondage to freedom, and you are not alone in this great work.

02:13:50.625 --> 02:13:59.765
I have taken our blessed mother Mary as my model and guide in the gift and privilege that it is to accompany those whose lives and hearts may be broken in pieces.

02:14:01.025 --> 02:14:17.620
She invites me and each of us to to stand with her at the foot of the cross of another suffering, pain, and confusion and to hold that person with our hearts as she held tenderly the broken body of Christ imaged in Michelangelo's Pieta.

02:14:18.775 --> 02:14:27.355
We collaborate with her who shares in the mission of Christ the divine healer as she embraces all of God's suffering children as her very own.

02:14:28.695 --> 02:14:33.610
And she does not fear wounds, our own or those of others.

02:14:34.310 --> 02:14:42.890
Rather, Mary lives in hope and can see in them already within the full potential of each person the promise of glory.

02:14:44.075 --> 02:14:56.655
At the Easter vigil, the priest celebrant prepares the paschal candle and says, by his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the lord guard us and protect us.

02:14:57.650 --> 02:15:03.830
By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us.

02:15:04.850 --> 02:15:07.510
Christ does not prevent us from being wounded.

02:15:08.530 --> 02:15:11.895
He himself suffered every wound possible to save us.

02:15:12.535 --> 02:15:18.315
He references our wounds and by them draws us close in intimacy to himself.

02:15:19.335 --> 02:15:27.675
Within the mystery of his being, his his own glorified wounds sir will serve to guide and protect us.

02:15:28.430 --> 02:15:33.330
Our wounds are held in his and our wounds are healed in his.

02:15:34.430 --> 02:15:42.050
Only he can transform our brokenness into glory through the redeeming power of his love poured into the entirety of our stories.

02:15:44.085 --> 02:16:00.450
Through your studies, you have been given the human tools to help others embrace the truth of their story, of who they most deeply are and created to become, to be freed from the lies in which they may have lived and to begin to see themselves as God sees them.

02:16:01.390 --> 02:16:17.385
And in the words of Cardinal O'Connor, who's the founder of the Sisters of Life and a great champion of the sacredness of human life, he says to you, you have to see that you are the pearl of great price of which our lord speaks, that you are made in his image and likeness.

02:16:18.165 --> 02:16:20.185
The whole world is in you.

02:16:27.100 --> 02:16:32.080
You have the whole world is in you, that same sunlight that played in Eden.

02:16:33.260 --> 02:16:36.160
And Christ walks with you and talks with you.

02:16:36.460 --> 02:16:49.574
And Christ brought you into being in his image and likeness because he loves you for you, not for your talents, not for your potential, not for any money you may have, not for your educational experience even.

02:16:49.795 --> 02:16:51.734
He loves you for you.

02:16:52.620 --> 02:16:59.680
When we begin to see the whole story of a person, we are overcome by the unspeakable glory of each human soul.

02:17:01.180 --> 02:17:07.885
This work you have entered upon is very arduous, of course, yet the promise of Easter brings certain hope.

02:17:08.505 --> 02:17:17.005
We have a savior who has descended into the dead to free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

02:17:17.671 --> 02:17:28.250
And like the first apostles, we are called to be witnesses to the resurrection, to the reality that Christ can come into the messiness of any life and transform it with his grace.

02:17:28.950 --> 02:17:32.971
In Christ, suffering is transformed by love and into love.

02:17:33.965 --> 02:17:40.545
This year as Sisters of Life, we're also celebrating a twenty fifth anniversary of our founder Cardinal O'Connor's passing.

02:17:41.885 --> 02:17:47.665
And in time, we hope we'll have a biography and a documentary to present to the world, so stay tuned for that.

02:17:48.221 --> 02:17:50.000
But I leave you with his words.

02:17:50.620 --> 02:18:01.920
I see in each one of you whatever may have been our your past, whatever your circumstances at the moment, the reflection of the sacred, the image and likeness of almighty God.

02:18:02.875 --> 02:18:07.855
I see you as sacred persons to be loved, persons of priceless dignity and worth.

02:18:08.636 --> 02:18:15.455
Indeed, I may very well see you as being far better persons than some of you may see yourselves to be.

02:18:16.200 --> 02:18:22.380
To underestimate you is to underestimate God, for each of you is sparked with his divinity.

02:18:23.960 --> 02:18:36.245
I pray that the Lord blesses each of you with a humility and contemplative gaze to receive the person before you always as a gift and to stand in awe and wonder before a mystery that is being revealed.

02:18:37.345 --> 02:18:42.645
This will infuse every encounter with authentic delight and the joy of discovery.

02:18:43.570 --> 02:18:53.910
May the Holy Spirit guide you through all your gifts of nature, grace, and hard earned knowledge and skills in leading others to full flourishing in love and in life.

02:18:54.450 --> 02:18:56.150
Thank you and God bless you.

02:19:28.865 --> 02:19:41.591
So as we celebrate our twenty fifth anniversary, the founding of the Institute for the Psychological Science, which is now Divine Mercy University, we're proud to present three lifetime achievement awards.

02:19:42.690 --> 02:19:52.471
It's an honor that recognizes individuals whose enduring commitment and foundational contributions have helped shape the identity and direction of our university.

02:19:53.904 --> 02:19:54.944
I would say more than that.

02:19:54.944 --> 02:20:01.604
We wouldn't be here without the next three people you're gonna, you won't hear from them all, but who we're gonna honor.

02:20:02.225 --> 02:20:07.685
Their leadership, vision, and dedication during the institution's formative years continue to influence us today.

02:20:08.030 --> 02:20:13.730
It's with deep respect that we acknowledge these founding members for their leading impact.

02:20:15.070 --> 02:20:17.630
First, we welcome bishop Paul S.

02:20:17.630 --> 02:20:21.090
Laverde, bishop Emeritus of the diocese of Arlington.

02:20:22.555 --> 02:20:32.255
Bishop Laverde is a founding board member whose leadership and commitment had played a key role in the the in the foundation and development of the university.

02:20:34.521 --> 02:20:43.320
Back in 1999, it was his first year as bishop here, and, doctor Sweeney, who you're gonna meet, and father Richard Gill was the president.

02:20:43.320 --> 02:20:44.841
He went to tell him they had this idea.

02:20:44.841 --> 02:20:46.780
I want to get permission to start the university.

02:20:47.815 --> 02:20:49.735
And he could have said, go ahead.

02:20:49.735 --> 02:20:50.555
You have permission.

02:20:50.654 --> 02:20:51.755
You know?

02:20:51.896 --> 02:20:54.695
And good luck because this is a big arduous task you're going to be doing.

02:20:54.695 --> 02:20:54.855
Right?

02:20:54.855 --> 02:20:56.396
How are you going to build this big university?

02:20:57.495 --> 02:20:59.595
He not only approved it, he became a partner.

02:20:59.720 --> 02:21:05.239
And we really want to recognize Bishop Divertti for that and thank him so much for what he's done throughout the years.

02:21:05.239 --> 02:21:17.425
At an early age in his pre study, he realized the need for our graduates, the need for, mental health professionals who he could recommend to so many people he was seeing in his ministry.

02:21:17.885 --> 02:21:22.064
So, I'd like to present right now this first award to Bishop Paul Laverde.

02:21:56.250 --> 02:22:01.930
Our second recipient is a faculty member who's been here from the very beginning for twenty five years.

02:22:01.930 --> 02:22:09.310
And we want to recognize his service, his dedication, and really doing whatever was necessary throughout the years.

02:22:09.945 --> 02:22:15.885
Doctor Bill Nordling, doctor William Nordling, a member of the founding faculty, and he's helped shape our academic programs.

02:22:16.025 --> 02:22:20.125
He's one of the co editors of the meta model CCMMP.

02:22:21.225 --> 02:22:30.680
He's former program director, former dean, and doctor Nordling was had a promising career, in marital therapy, in child therapy.

02:22:31.939 --> 02:22:38.315
Loves to write, but so many times he had to do sacrificial things for the mission to make to make the school grow.

02:22:38.315 --> 02:22:45.355
Whatever was needed for our students, for our growth, for accreditation, Bill was always there to stand up and and and do whatever it took.

02:22:45.355 --> 02:22:49.115
And so we recognize him today with this lifetime achievement award.

02:22:49.115 --> 02:22:49.615
Bill.

02:23:20.271 --> 02:23:21.730
So, our mission is providential.

02:23:22.431 --> 02:23:29.330
And, there's no question that this institution, God God has been has blessed it over the years.

02:23:29.551 --> 02:23:34.385
His providence, the holy spirit has been the driving force behind it all.

02:23:35.085 --> 02:23:41.585
However, the one person we would truly would not be here without is doctor Gladys Sweeney.

02:23:42.125 --> 02:23:54.480
Doctor Gladys Sweeney was the leader, the impulse who accepted God's call, saw the importance for this mission, and got things moving.

02:23:54.721 --> 02:23:56.080
There's so many things you could say about it.

02:23:56.080 --> 02:23:56.881
We're gonna hear from her.

02:23:56.881 --> 02:23:57.920
She's gonna come up and speak.

02:23:57.920 --> 02:23:59.700
But just a little bit about her background.

02:24:00.615 --> 02:24:02.955
Doctor Sweeney grew up in in Chile.

02:24:03.575 --> 02:24:13.915
She received her bachelor's, from the Universidad Catolica de Chile, a master's and PhD in counseling psychology from Pennsylvania State University.

02:24:14.899 --> 02:24:23.080
She was a faculty member in the division of child psychiatric department of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

02:24:24.020 --> 02:24:29.080
She consulted in hospitals and gave training seminars at numerous institutions.

02:24:29.925 --> 02:24:39.545
She's taught at the Pontifical University Regina Pastelorum in Rome and served as a pastoral counseling instructor at the North American College Seminary in Rome.

02:24:40.085 --> 02:24:44.905
She's written and lectured on topics related to the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith.

02:24:45.380 --> 02:24:50.200
She retired back in 2013 and lives with her husband in Southern Maryland right now.

02:24:50.899 --> 02:25:02.835
But she left that all behind because she had this dream and this vision of what could be done in this field and the need to blend Catholic faith, Catholic understanding of a person with psychological skills.

02:25:02.835 --> 02:25:14.615
And so it's a great honor and it's very humbling, for me today and a joy to present to you and to present the award to doctor Gladys Sweeney lifetime achievement award.

02:25:55.280 --> 02:26:00.024
This is a wonderful, wonderful Mother's Day present for me to see all those graduates.

02:26:00.085 --> 02:26:01.385
We started with 12.

02:26:04.965 --> 02:26:24.840
Your excellencies, Bishop Berberge, Your Excellency Bishop Laverge, Father Charles, members of the Board of Directors, Professor Brooks, my dear good old friend, Bill Nordling, faculty of Divine Mercy University, dear graduates, and students, and families.

02:26:25.966 --> 02:26:33.346
With profound gratitude and humility, I accept this Lifetime Achievement Award from Divine Mercy University.

02:26:34.285 --> 02:26:44.560
It will always remind, remind me of God's providential designs and omnipotent powers that far exceed all human efforts.

02:26:45.979 --> 02:26:58.675
God, in his infinite mercy, inspired and blessed the Institute for the Psychological Sciences and its mission to ground psychology with the Catholic view of the human person.

02:26:59.695 --> 02:27:18.091
Furthermore, God showered his blessings and poured out his grace in IPS development into Divine Mercy University that flourished under the legionaries of Christ, and Father Charles, and Father John Hopkins, and Father Richard, three presidents.

02:27:18.905 --> 02:27:31.965
It is in God's providential design that DMU become a beacon of hope for all those who struggle, as well as a gift to the church for various pastoral and vocational areas.

02:27:33.450 --> 02:27:39.950
My heart is full of gratitude to God for allowing me to play a part in its development.

02:27:41.210 --> 02:27:53.125
I recognize his grace at every stage of the develop early developments of IPS, but especially in inspiring me not to get in the way of its design.

02:27:53.426 --> 02:27:55.205
That was always my motto.

02:27:55.985 --> 02:27:58.886
If God wants it, let's go.

02:28:01.825 --> 02:28:03.570
And trust in his ways.

02:28:04.530 --> 02:28:17.271
In current times, as we all know, there's a tremendous need in all people to find love and meaning in their lives, which has manifested itself in an unprecedented mental health crisis.

02:28:18.715 --> 02:28:24.015
The accelerated development of technology and social media has exacerbated the problem.

02:28:24.715 --> 02:28:38.600
But I think what is most needed today, more than anything, and, Bishop Burbisch beautifully expressed sister, mother, something the same way, is the message of love and hope.

02:28:39.380 --> 02:28:49.854
And psychotherapists and counselors are in a privileged position, in a privileged position to provide such a message to suffering souls.

02:28:50.875 --> 02:29:04.750
So, what I would like to do today is to encourage all of you, students, graduates of Divine Mercy University, to allow yourself to be missionaries of love for the souls that you're helping.

02:29:04.810 --> 02:29:08.350
I believe that every therapeutic encounter is not random.

02:29:08.970 --> 02:29:19.175
I believe it's providential, and that you personify, you are in, you have God's love for you, and you should transmit that to your clients.

02:29:20.355 --> 02:29:26.915
And, I want you to to see them beyond the diagnostic categories, this person is such and such.

02:29:26.915 --> 02:29:28.936
To see them as God sees them.

02:29:29.970 --> 02:29:33.910
To help them find meaning in their struggles, and to give them hope.

02:29:34.370 --> 02:29:43.670
Now, oftentimes, therapists cannot eliminate the struggles and the sufferings of their clients, but they can help them find meaning in it.

02:29:44.704 --> 02:29:51.125
There's a beautiful example that I'm going to quote from, and it's a book written by Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning.

02:29:52.465 --> 02:29:57.204
But he described this process beautifully, and I think it applies to us Catholic therapists.

02:29:58.225 --> 02:30:05.021
Quote, Once an elderly general practitioner consulted me because of his severe depression.

02:30:06.040 --> 02:30:13.500
He could not overcome the loss of his wife, who had died two years before and whom he had loved above all else.

02:30:14.285 --> 02:30:16.625
Now, how could I help him?

02:30:16.765 --> 02:30:18.305
What should I tell him?

02:30:18.845 --> 02:30:25.024
Well, I refrained from telling anything, but instead confronted him with a question.

02:30:25.965 --> 02:30:31.790
What would have happened, doctor, if you had died first and your wife would have had to survive you?

02:30:32.410 --> 02:30:35.790
Oh, he said, for her, this would have been terrible.

02:30:36.410 --> 02:30:37.710
How she would have suffered?

02:30:38.490 --> 02:30:53.605
Whereupon I replied, You see, doctor, such suffering has been spared her, and it was you who has spared her this suffering, to be sure, at a price that now you have to survive her and mourn her.

02:30:54.546 --> 02:30:58.886
He didn't say a word, but shook my hand and kindly left my office.

02:30:59.540 --> 02:31:06.440
This man was even ready to was even ready to suffer on the condition that his suffering had a meaning.

02:31:06.980 --> 02:31:14.440
In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of sacrifice.

02:31:15.195 --> 02:31:15.695
Unquote.

02:31:17.195 --> 02:31:24.495
So the love of this grieving husband had for his wife gave meaning to his grief, and he was able to transcend it.

02:31:25.115 --> 02:31:30.495
And I believe that the greatest path to finding meaning in life's travels is through love.

02:31:31.489 --> 02:31:39.989
As DMU graduates, psychotherapists, counselors, you bring to the souls you encounter the up to date scientific knowledge of psychology.

02:31:40.609 --> 02:31:54.785
You are, that's what DMU does, gives you all of that, plus the hope and love in the redeemer that thirsts and awaits for every soul that you encounter in a therapeutic session.

02:31:55.805 --> 02:31:58.145
He's he wants their freedom.

02:31:58.444 --> 02:32:02.780
He wants their healing as much as you do, or more than you do.

02:32:02.780 --> 02:32:08.640
And you are his instrument, the providential instrument at that moment, to transmit it.

02:32:09.021 --> 02:32:15.040
And if you transmit it, when you get to heaven, you might see all the souls that you have touched with the love of Christ.

02:32:16.145 --> 02:32:25.445
So go forward then, missionaries of love, with holy enthusiasm, blind faith, always trusting in his providence.

02:32:25.985 --> 02:32:28.085
Heal with the love of Christ.

02:32:28.465 --> 02:32:29.445
That's your mission.

02:32:30.091 --> 02:32:33.230
I would like to close with the word of Psalm 65.

02:32:35.051 --> 02:32:37.610
You visit the earth and water it.

02:32:37.610 --> 02:32:39.391
Make it abundantly fertile.

02:32:40.330 --> 02:32:42.511
God's strength is filled with water.

02:32:42.811 --> 02:32:44.670
You supplying their grain.

02:32:46.095 --> 02:32:48.335
Thus do you prepare it.

02:32:48.335 --> 02:32:54.115
You drench its plowed pharaohs and level its and level its ridges.

02:32:54.575 --> 02:32:58.435
With showers, you keep it soft, blessing its young sprouts.

02:32:59.240 --> 02:33:01.260
You adorn the year with your bounty.

02:33:01.320 --> 02:33:03.900
Your path drips with fruitful rain.

02:33:04.280 --> 02:33:06.860
The meadows of the wilderness also drip.

02:33:07.160 --> 02:33:10.540
The hills are robed with joy.

02:33:11.080 --> 02:33:13.180
The pastures are clothed with flocks.

02:33:13.895 --> 02:33:15.995
The valleys blanketed with rain.

02:33:16.375 --> 02:33:18.795
They cheer for sing and joy.

02:33:19.255 --> 02:33:22.795
That's how much God has blessed IPS DMU.

02:33:23.415 --> 02:33:25.995
How grateful we must all be for his graces.

02:33:26.761 --> 02:33:41.295
I pray that his blessing to DMU and the visionaries of Christ continue for decades and centuries to come, as well as for his important mission of educating missionaries of life, of love.

02:33:41.436 --> 02:33:42.255
Thank you.

02:34:19.025 --> 02:34:21.925
So, it's been my pleasure to announce our final award.

02:34:22.160 --> 02:34:22.480
Okay.

02:34:22.480 --> 02:34:27.380
And, there's no talk after this one, so we'll be finishing in a second, then we'll have the final blessing.

02:34:27.920 --> 02:34:42.234
But, every year we like to honor one of we have the president's service award, which is to honor a faculty or staff member who's gone beyond the call of duty, to carry out the mission.

02:34:42.854 --> 02:34:46.075
And it means a lot to be able to recognize him during this graduation.

02:34:47.360 --> 02:35:00.500
The recipient is selected annually by the president, after nomination from faculty and staff, to recognize a member of the community whom he believes consistently works to further the mission through selfless service to the institution.

02:35:02.085 --> 02:35:07.705
This year's president's service award is awarded to doctor or professor Jessie Tappell.

02:35:08.485 --> 02:35:09.865
She has worked for DMU.

02:35:18.060 --> 02:35:27.840
She's worked after graduating from the master's in in clinical psychology program, she's worked for DMU since the fall of twenty thirteen in a variety of positions.

02:35:28.505 --> 02:35:37.325
And currently is the associate program director for the clinical mental health health counseling program, as well as clinical faculty for the counseling program.

02:35:37.944 --> 02:35:42.444
She's also, as I said, she graduated from the IPS back in 2014.

02:35:43.480 --> 02:35:51.021
Jesse's qualities and unwavering dedication to the mission of DMU make her a worthy recipient of the president's service award.

02:35:51.641 --> 02:36:02.125
Highly organized and capable of juggling multiple tasks at once, Jesse brings warmth and laughter to every situation and to her relationships with faculty, staff, and students.

02:36:02.745 --> 02:36:09.405
Her creativity and problem solving skills shine above big picture planning and day to day challenges.

02:36:09.785 --> 02:36:11.325
Jesse, please come forward.

02:36:36.475 --> 02:37:06.985
And and I forgot to tell you, she's going to be getting married soon and she'll be moving out to California, but she will remain working for the counseling Let us stand for the closing blessing.

02:37:08.725 --> 02:37:12.185
In the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.

02:37:12.405 --> 02:37:12.905
Amen.

02:37:13.950 --> 02:37:18.610
Father of all mercies, you are present in our midst today with your love and your power.

02:37:19.070 --> 02:37:24.050
You look with joy on each person created out of love and called to love.

02:37:24.990 --> 02:37:30.665
So we thank you for the gift of each one of our graduating students on this memorable day.

02:37:31.045 --> 02:37:38.585
As they step forward to continue following the pathway of life wherever it may lead, we ask you to pour out your blessing upon them.

02:37:39.205 --> 02:37:46.220
May they undertake the mission of healing with their gaze ever fixed on the merciful face of your wounded and risen son.

02:37:47.399 --> 02:37:53.500
May they in turn glimpse the face of Jesus in the countenance of each person you bring them to encounter.

02:37:55.195 --> 02:38:05.055
Draw all of our graduates to seek you, recognize you, and radiate your love to each of their brothers and sisters as they lead them to a place of healing and wholeness.

02:38:06.155 --> 02:38:12.420
May they be instruments of your divine mercy, binding the wounds of a frail and fallen humanity.

02:38:13.439 --> 02:38:24.020
We ask all of these blessings through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary and the merits of your son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever.

02:38:24.320 --> 02:38:24.765
Amen.

02:38:24.845 --> 02:38:30.705
And may Almighty God bless each and every one of you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

02:38:31.165 --> 02:38:31.665
Amen.

02:38:47.530 --> 02:38:52.271
This now concludes the 2025 commencement exercises.

02:38:53.325 --> 02:38:56.705
Please remain in your seat until graduates have exited the church.

02:38:56.925 --> 02:39:01.505
Thank you and congratulations to the class of 2025.