WEBVTT 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:14.420 So welcome everybody to the presentation for the spiritual direction certificate program here at Divine Mercy University. 00:00:16.155 --> 00:00:19.195 Just to introduce myself, my name is Greg Shapiro. 00:00:19.195 --> 00:00:23.855 I'm the admissions adviser here for the SDC program. 00:00:24.795 --> 00:00:33.820 I've been with Divine Mercy University for, about two and a half years now, and I I started with the master's in psychology program. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:39.520 And as of last year, I I switched over and began enrolling for SDC, and I've really enjoyed it. 00:00:40.060 --> 00:00:52.585 Just just being able to talk about the faith with people that are passionate about spiritual direction and accompanying others and and guiding others as as folks are trying to grow closer in their faith. 00:00:53.205 --> 00:00:58.880 So just being able to speak with others about about that sort of ministry has been a real joy. 00:00:59.740 --> 00:01:05.340 So with me today, who's cohosting is father John, as a faculty member. 00:01:05.340 --> 00:01:09.360 So if you'd like to just share a little bit about yourself, that would be great. 00:01:10.535 --> 00:01:10.935 Sure. 00:01:10.935 --> 00:01:11.735 Thanks, Greg. 00:01:11.735 --> 00:01:21.195 So my name is father John Pietropoli, and, actually, my first assignment as a priest years ago was at Divine Mercy University. 00:01:21.690 --> 00:01:27.630 So I was ordained in 2012, and then I spent some time studying in Rome after that, Rome, Italy. 00:01:27.930 --> 00:01:37.205 And then I was assigned as the chaplain at Divine Mercy, which back then was actually just the Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Crystal City. 00:01:38.145 --> 00:01:40.065 And, I was there for three years. 00:01:40.065 --> 00:01:49.500 So I was actually there when it became Divine Mercy University when we opened the faculty of counseling in addition to the faculty of psychology. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:54.160 And then in 2017, I was reassigned, and I've been all over the place since then. 00:01:54.860 --> 00:01:59.440 Right now, I'm teaching at the Legionary of Christ Seminary in Cheshire, Connecticut. 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:13.015 But I've been involved in different ways in the spiritual direction program from its inception in, 2000 actually, initially, 2017 is when the the project began. 00:02:14.515 --> 00:02:30.645 And what I've really done mostly, actually, is, number one, I facilitate I colead the 500 residency in the 500 course where the students come to Divine Mercy University for that residency. 00:02:30.645 --> 00:02:35.145 And then I've helped as well to co lead the 300 course residency. 00:02:36.005 --> 00:02:45.670 And then I've also taught the 600, which is the kind of the the cherry on top, the last course in the entire program. 00:02:46.930 --> 00:02:47.330 Yeah. 00:02:47.330 --> 00:02:47.830 Great. 00:02:48.130 --> 00:03:09.115 Well so, I mean, you I think this is very helpful that you're here for this presentation because, you know, I I think the the residencies are a very powerful part of the program because it gives the students a chance to hone in even deeper into their knowledge and into the skills that they're learning. 00:03:09.415 --> 00:03:11.530 And so you've got a hand in both residencies. 00:03:11.750 --> 00:03:30.275 So I I'd love to talk to you about that, but also the fact that you you you're involved with SCC 600, which really does play a part in the psychology component of the program, which really does make this program very unique in that word. 00:03:30.575 --> 00:03:43.080 We're training students to be spiritual directors, and this is coming from the, the traditions of Saint John of the Cross and Saint Francis of, Saint Francis and and Saint Ignatius of Loyola. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:49.860 There's a there's a human development piece in here, and maybe maybe we can start there. 00:03:49.860 --> 00:04:03.045 Maybe you can share just from a faculty perspective, just sharing a little bit more about that psychology component and what students should expect as they're going through the program. 00:04:04.160 --> 00:04:04.560 Sure. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:05.060 Absolutely. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:06.240 Yeah. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:15.940 I think maybe to do that, we could actually just zoom out a little bit, if you bear with me here, to the first chapter of the book of Genesis. 00:04:17.245 --> 00:04:19.165 Because it's always good to go back to the beginning. 00:04:19.165 --> 00:04:31.340 Whenever we're talking about the human person, and here, obviously, we're talking about the human person, particularly our relationship with God, I think it's really important to ask, who is the human person? 00:04:31.400 --> 00:04:33.480 What does it mean to be a human person? 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:47.295 In Genesis one, there are those lines, Genesis one twenty six, which we've heard so many times that probably for many of us, they've almost become something almost routine, you might say. 00:04:47.295 --> 00:04:50.675 But they're absolutely revolutionary. 00:04:51.055 --> 00:04:55.395 So God said, let us create man in our image. 00:04:56.095 --> 00:04:59.375 In the image of God, he created the male and female. 00:04:59.375 --> 00:05:00.515 He created them. 00:05:00.710 --> 00:05:02.890 So it's really all right there. 00:05:03.510 --> 00:05:08.310 I mean, the rest of of the Bible is really a commentary and a development on that. 00:05:08.310 --> 00:05:15.355 And, of course, the fulfillment, the the fullness of what that means is revealed in Jesus Christ, true god and true man. 00:05:15.355 --> 00:05:21.195 But when we say the image and likeness of god, I think it's really helpful to reflect for a minute. 00:05:21.195 --> 00:05:25.455 What does that actually mean to be created in the image and likeness of god? 00:05:25.995 --> 00:05:35.880 And so the image of God means that we're created out of love and for love because God, father, son, and holy spirit is his communion of persons. 00:05:36.820 --> 00:05:39.540 Actually, Saint Augustine has this beautiful, beautiful image. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:42.495 He said, we can understand something about the trinity itself. 00:05:42.495 --> 00:05:44.495 It's obviously an analogy. 00:05:44.495 --> 00:05:44.735 Right? 00:05:44.735 --> 00:05:54.195 But we can understand something about the trinity when we think about the relationship between a lover, a beloved, and the love between them. 00:05:54.430 --> 00:06:06.450 So he said in any really, really profound human love, there's a lover, there's a beloved, but then there's the love between them, which is so strong and so real that and sometimes it might seem like another reality. 00:06:07.735 --> 00:06:14.775 He said the father is like the lover, the son is like the beloved, and the holy spirit is like the love between them. 00:06:14.775 --> 00:06:17.755 Obviously, again, it's an analogy, but I think it's interesting. 00:06:17.815 --> 00:06:18.555 Very interesting. 00:06:19.015 --> 00:06:22.155 So we're created out of that love and for that love. 00:06:22.990 --> 00:06:24.510 What does that mean for us specifically? 00:06:24.510 --> 00:06:34.210 It means that we're created with a mind, so with an intellect and understanding, which enables us to enter into relationship with reality. 00:06:34.350 --> 00:06:35.550 We can know truth. 00:06:35.550 --> 00:06:37.570 We can know reality as it is. 00:06:38.175 --> 00:06:48.355 Then with a will so that we can choose, we can freely choose what is right and good and loving, we're created as well with emotions. 00:06:49.900 --> 00:06:57.760 So these emotions that god's given us to move us out of ourselves, to move us towards what is good, what is true, what is beautiful. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:01.020 We're created with a body. 00:07:01.020 --> 00:07:01.920 We're embodied. 00:07:02.705 --> 00:07:04.065 We're an incarnate spirit. 00:07:04.065 --> 00:07:09.445 So all of that coming together is what it means to be created in the image of God. 00:07:09.825 --> 00:07:13.105 And then the likeness of God, that's an interesting distinction. 00:07:13.105 --> 00:07:14.325 Why image and likeness? 00:07:14.385 --> 00:07:14.865 Why both? 00:07:14.865 --> 00:07:16.005 Why not just one? 00:07:16.305 --> 00:07:23.720 Obviously, part of it's just to reiterate, and that's very common in Hebrew just to restate something in a different way. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:34.675 But there's a slight nuance because likeness also seems to imply something like we're called to choose what is good, to choose to follow God. 00:07:35.295 --> 00:07:36.115 We're free. 00:07:37.055 --> 00:07:41.875 We're the only creatures that have that choice to follow God. 00:07:42.655 --> 00:07:48.720 And so all of that is extraordinarily important if we're going to understand who the human person is. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:51.780 And then there's a story in sacred scripture. 00:07:52.880 --> 00:07:58.355 We're created in the image and likeness of God, so created good, but we're also wounded. 00:07:59.455 --> 00:08:00.655 Sin entered the world. 00:08:00.655 --> 00:08:03.235 Satan tempted our first parents. 00:08:03.295 --> 00:08:04.035 They fell. 00:08:04.575 --> 00:08:10.495 And so we're we're born in this world that isn't the way it should be, that there's something that's not entirely right with the world. 00:08:10.495 --> 00:08:11.055 It's still good. 00:08:11.055 --> 00:08:12.195 It's created good. 00:08:12.430 --> 00:08:13.630 At the same time, it's wounded. 00:08:13.630 --> 00:08:14.370 It's fallen. 00:08:15.230 --> 00:08:16.770 But the story doesn't end there. 00:08:17.070 --> 00:08:18.130 It's also redeemed. 00:08:18.510 --> 00:08:20.030 In Christ, we are redeemed. 00:08:20.030 --> 00:08:23.570 We're made into this new creation in Christ. 00:08:24.510 --> 00:08:48.200 And so all of that actually provides, we could say, the foundation or understanding what the modern human sciences and modern psychology, for example, is is trying to do to bring about this growth in the balance of the human person, this health of the human person. 00:08:49.300 --> 00:08:56.855 So I think that that's actually a very, very beautiful and very important dimension that we study in the spiritual direction program. 00:08:57.715 --> 00:09:00.515 So say, let's take our emotional world. 00:09:00.515 --> 00:09:03.175 That's part of being created in the image and likeness of God. 00:09:03.555 --> 00:09:12.970 Modern psychology and the study of human person and relationships has really helped us to go deeper into that. 00:09:13.510 --> 00:09:16.150 So what what is a healthy relationship? 00:09:16.150 --> 00:09:16.950 What does that look like? 00:09:16.950 --> 00:09:22.285 Healthy relationship with our parents, with each other, also ultimately with the Lord. 00:09:22.745 --> 00:09:32.765 What role does my emotional world have to play in the decisions that I make, in my ability, my freedom to to follow the Lord? 00:09:33.305 --> 00:09:36.250 So I think that that's it's very, very, very important. 00:09:36.250 --> 00:09:38.490 Obviously, spiritual direction is different than psychology. 00:09:38.490 --> 00:09:40.650 We could speak about that later if you'd like. 00:09:40.650 --> 00:10:00.575 But what we're trying to do at DMU is to bring all the different knowledge about the human person that modern the modern sciences like psychology afford to us and then integrate that with the the perennial teaching of of the Catholic church about the human person. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:03.000 Yeah. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:03.800 That's great. 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:22.305 You know, I'm I'm glad you sort of spread it out that way because every time I I speak with students and I go into the subjects of, how psychology is related or how it how we relate it within the context of spiritual direction, I use analogies. 00:10:23.325 --> 00:10:37.440 And, typically, I bring up pretty extreme analogies where a scenario could be a a spiritual director working with someone that is really carrying around a real trauma. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:40.960 Maybe they've been abused in the church or they've been abused in their childhood. 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:49.455 And because of that, it's very difficult for them to, perhaps continue growing in their faith. 00:10:49.455 --> 00:10:51.315 There's a psychological block. 00:10:51.695 --> 00:11:01.490 And so I I share how, as spiritual directors, we want to train them on, of course, not being their their therapist. 00:11:01.710 --> 00:11:05.150 There's a separate, purpose for that. 00:11:05.150 --> 00:11:19.495 But how to speak to that with gentleness and empathy as the spiritual director, and if necessary, how to properly refer them to a licensed clinician if that's needed, so they can get that healing. 00:11:19.555 --> 00:11:30.240 But still, it doesn't mean you're turning them over, but rather this could be a means for them to, better receive the fruits of spiritual direction. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:35.180 So, I mean, that that's an extreme example, and we we do want to equip students for that. 00:11:35.180 --> 00:11:50.755 But even on a maybe less extreme position, it's really just the acknowledgment, like you said, that we're made in the image and likeness of God and really what that looks like and how that plays out in understanding human human development along with that. 00:11:52.140 --> 00:11:52.460 Yeah. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.420 That's such a good point. 00:11:53.420 --> 00:12:05.705 You know, there's this phrase that you study quite a bit in theology from Saint Thomas Aquinas that, that grace doesn't doesn't remove our humanity. 00:12:05.765 --> 00:12:06.985 It perfects it. 00:12:07.765 --> 00:12:27.530 And so grace is building on that that human nature that god has given us, and part of our human nature is to be relational beings and also beings with creatures, human persons with with emotions, with an emotional world, with different ways of relating to different people. 00:12:27.670 --> 00:12:32.570 And so, of course, all of that is going to play into our relationship with God as well. 00:12:33.265 --> 00:12:33.745 Yeah. 00:12:33.745 --> 00:12:34.225 Great. 00:12:34.225 --> 00:12:34.545 Okay. 00:12:34.545 --> 00:12:35.045 Good. 00:12:35.105 --> 00:12:36.005 This is excellent. 00:12:36.065 --> 00:12:40.885 So, you know, we we talked about really the uniqueness of this program. 00:12:42.305 --> 00:12:52.860 And you shared a little bit how your involvement with SDC three hundred and five hundred, which these are two points in the program where the residencies take place. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:13:04.105 For the students that are now just learning about this program, it's, you know, I'll share very briefly that this is a, primarily online program. 00:13:04.165 --> 00:13:08.505 There are six courses that you're taking, and they're all done online. 00:13:08.565 --> 00:13:11.545 They're done, asynchronously. 00:13:11.845 --> 00:13:18.890 In other words, this gives you the the flexibility to log in to your classes at any point that works within your schedule. 00:13:19.830 --> 00:13:47.970 But with that, there are students do get the benefit of the residencies where they come to campus for a few days, and they gather together as a cohort and with, with a couple of the instructors, you're one of them, where they get to attend lectures and break out into groups where they, basically mock spiritual direction sessions where they're they're evaluated. 00:13:48.830 --> 00:14:01.805 So, you know, since you're you have that sort of activity, would you mind speaking to that and sharing a little bit about what the residences are and what to expect for them if they were to be active in this program? 00:14:02.345 --> 00:14:02.845 Sure. 00:14:04.265 --> 00:14:04.585 Yes. 00:14:04.585 --> 00:14:07.325 As you were saying, Craig, there are two residencies. 00:14:08.025 --> 00:14:17.440 There's one that comes at the end of the 300 program, which is really focused on on listening skills, actually. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:24.080 And this is so interesting because, you know, I think probably we all like to think at least I like to think I'm a good listener. 00:14:24.380 --> 00:14:28.125 But every time I go to the residency, I realize, oh, okay. 00:14:28.345 --> 00:14:32.685 There's there's little little areas where the Lord is trying to polish that. 00:14:34.185 --> 00:14:47.650 And the 500 is 500 course, that's also continuing to practice those those listening skills, but starting to wrap that into spiritual direction itself. 00:14:48.910 --> 00:14:52.350 So, really, what we're doing in the residency is pretty simple. 00:14:52.350 --> 00:14:58.785 So, the students arrive around five, 05:30, 06:00 on a Wednesday evening. 00:14:59.645 --> 00:15:02.525 We have mass for those anybody who would like to attend. 00:15:02.525 --> 00:15:03.725 We start off with mass. 00:15:03.725 --> 00:15:05.825 And then there's a meet and greet. 00:15:06.285 --> 00:15:12.630 And, actually, it's kind of interesting for the 300 residency because most of the students there have never been to the university before. 00:15:12.690 --> 00:15:28.045 We actually do a tour of the university, which is always interesting for me because as I said, when I was at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences years ago as a chaplain, it was it was in this an office building in Crystal City, and there were two floors. 00:15:28.045 --> 00:15:29.885 And it was I don't know if you're ever there, Greg. 00:15:29.885 --> 00:15:32.385 It was very cramped and That's what I heard. 00:15:32.685 --> 00:15:33.185 Yeah. 00:15:33.965 --> 00:15:39.960 I could tell you stories about the parking wars trying to find parking there and who got the parking pass and who didn't. 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:46.460 And now it's so amazing to see the facility that we have now. 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:49.180 It's it's so beautiful. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:54.705 And so that's always exciting for me just to see the way that the Lord has has helped that to grow. 00:15:55.885 --> 00:16:03.425 And then we begin Thursday morning with, as you mentioned, some some content, some lectures. 00:16:04.525 --> 00:16:12.690 And we alternate the content of lectures with actual, practice sessions where we're really practicing spiritual direction. 00:16:13.150 --> 00:16:16.050 And that is incredibly valuable. 00:16:16.990 --> 00:16:22.030 It's so helpful to do that where students pair up, and it's in small groups as well. 00:16:22.030 --> 00:16:29.785 We usually break up into groups of three or four with one instructor, and the students pair up, and they just receive a vignette, so a scenario. 00:16:30.165 --> 00:16:36.805 You know, imagine somebody comes with this in spiritual direction, and then you you actually practice what that's like. 00:16:36.805 --> 00:16:40.010 And I cannot tell you how helpful that is. 00:16:40.010 --> 00:16:46.430 I mean, I remember myself, just full disclosure, when I was trained as a spiritual director, I was terrified of that the first time. 00:16:47.210 --> 00:16:48.330 I thought, oh, no. 00:16:48.330 --> 00:16:52.415 This is gonna be like getting getting evaluated in a certain sense. 00:16:52.415 --> 00:17:01.695 But it was such a beautiful experience for me just to to realize that the Lord is calling me to this ministry. 00:17:01.695 --> 00:17:11.570 He also wants to give me the tools to really be his instrument, to be the most effective instrument possible, as a spiritual director. 00:17:12.110 --> 00:17:15.070 And, yeah, it's just been really beautiful. 00:17:15.070 --> 00:17:22.895 And now as an instructor, just to to watch the Holy Spirit working and the students is so powerful. 00:17:23.675 --> 00:17:25.435 So Thursday, that's what we do. 00:17:25.435 --> 00:17:27.195 We alternate back and forth between that. 00:17:27.195 --> 00:17:29.135 We have mass as well. 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:33.800 And then Friday is the same where we're practicing the skills. 00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:35.740 We're also having some lecture time. 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:39.960 There's also time for the students to just to to talk to each other. 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:42.040 We have a nice long lunch break in there. 00:17:42.040 --> 00:17:49.705 And that's really beautiful too because the students, in general, don't know each other except through the online to the Canvas platform. 00:17:49.705 --> 00:17:51.305 So there's the the virtual component. 00:17:51.305 --> 00:17:55.965 So they do get to know each other, but they haven't actually met, in real life, as they say. 00:17:56.185 --> 00:17:59.570 And they get to do that as their residency, which is so beautiful. 00:17:59.630 --> 00:18:06.050 Just to see the the way these friendships, which have already formed online, now they they're strengthened even more. 00:18:06.830 --> 00:18:12.130 And then Saturday morning is a time I really love because we actually have a retreat that morning. 00:18:12.935 --> 00:18:19.335 So we have the first half of the day set aside for a spiritual retreat for those who would like to attend that. 00:18:19.335 --> 00:18:22.075 And we have adoration of the blessed sacrament. 00:18:22.215 --> 00:18:29.350 We have some directed reflections, time for silence, and then we have mass after that lunch. 00:18:29.350 --> 00:18:36.650 And then Saturday afternoon, we have more, content, another lecture, and then we have more practice. 00:18:37.430 --> 00:18:48.145 And then Sunday morning, we end, with kind of a final debriefing session where we're just sharing different experiences from the residency. 00:18:48.685 --> 00:19:03.930 And then at the end, each student meets one on one for ten to fifteen minutes with one of the faculty members and actually receives, really a plan for personal growth. 00:19:05.145 --> 00:19:08.285 So we say, you know, these are the things that you did really well. 00:19:09.065 --> 00:19:13.625 And maybe this is an area or two areas where you might wanna continue working on this. 00:19:13.625 --> 00:19:16.365 This might be a way to continue working on this. 00:19:16.745 --> 00:19:18.620 And that's so beautiful too. 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:18.860 Right? 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:25.740 Because we're all here because we wanna serve the Lord, and it's so helpful to have specific areas for growth. 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:35.905 So that's what we try to offer the students kind of a a qualitative, report there, which gives them, areas to continue growing as spiritual directors. 00:19:36.845 --> 00:19:42.705 Then we have mass, and then we wrap up around midday on Sunday. 00:19:43.645 --> 00:19:47.025 That's what the residencies look like and kind of a broad overview. 00:19:48.910 --> 00:19:49.410 Yeah. 00:19:49.470 --> 00:19:54.050 It's I thank you so much for laying it out like that. 00:19:55.310 --> 00:20:07.445 You know, and it's funny because when you mentioned the students coming together and seeing each other for the first time, you know, because I'm I'm on campus throughout the week. 00:20:07.445 --> 00:20:14.905 And and when the residencies take place, I like to come downstairs and and just speak with whoever I can that's in the program. 00:20:15.605 --> 00:20:40.095 And what's interesting is, you know, even though it's an online program primarily other than the the residencies and the practicum, I think for a lot of people that are just learning about the program, they're they're not sure if they're gonna have that opportunity for a sort of camaraderie with the students, but they do. 00:20:40.095 --> 00:20:47.060 They the students really even before the residencies, they do get to know each other through the discussion boards. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:49.700 They they engage with each other. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:56.580 And when the residencies happen, like you said, this is their first time meeting face to face. 00:20:56.640 --> 00:21:08.005 But it for them, it's that they're just meeting a friend that they have been communicating with for a while, their fellow classmates, and they're now getting to participate in this. 00:21:08.005 --> 00:21:32.835 And what's what's in addition to that very interesting, interestingly, is that the the students who I've spoken to, who are maybe not too sure about what to expect with the residencies or for them, it was more of, well, you know, I I'll do it because it's a requirement, but but that's just how it works. 00:21:34.815 --> 00:21:45.630 When I speak with them, they're really excited about it because I I think the the reason why I believe is because they know that they're called to this ministry. 00:21:46.410 --> 00:21:55.235 They have a real joy of being able to speak with people and and accompany people and walk with them in their faith and and guide them. 00:21:55.535 --> 00:22:03.395 And so this is really a way for them to this sort of rejuvenates that joy and that anticipation of being able to go into this ministry. 00:22:04.280 --> 00:22:14.380 So that's what I've gathered every time I speak with the students, and it it seems to be a a a greater motivation every time they participate in these residencies. 00:22:16.375 --> 00:22:16.535 Yeah. 00:22:16.535 --> 00:22:20.295 It's a good word, rejuvenate, because I see and feel the same thing. 00:22:20.295 --> 00:22:25.275 I mean, personally, and I also feel that in the students at the residencies when I go there. 00:22:26.615 --> 00:22:27.015 Yeah. 00:22:27.015 --> 00:22:27.495 Yeah. 00:22:27.495 --> 00:22:27.995 Good. 00:22:29.015 --> 00:22:29.835 Let's see. 00:22:30.370 --> 00:22:30.690 You know? 00:22:30.690 --> 00:22:41.910 And by the way, I'll remind everybody if any questions are are spinning in your heads right now, you're welcome to drop those questions right now in the either the chat or the q and a. 00:22:42.610 --> 00:22:47.995 Father John and I are here to answer those questions, so don't be afraid to do that. 00:22:49.815 --> 00:22:50.295 Let's see. 00:22:50.295 --> 00:22:56.715 I wanna make sure I'm painting a a good, illustration for everybody here on what to expect in the program. 00:22:58.455 --> 00:22:58.855 Let's see. 00:22:58.855 --> 00:23:01.195 It looks like we might have a question here. 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:08.880 So Jackie asked, could you give us information on the re on the pre course work? 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:17.055 So it sounds like this is related to the, I'm not sure if you're you're referring to the orientation. 00:23:18.635 --> 00:23:21.435 If you're not, maybe you can expand on that. 00:23:21.435 --> 00:23:22.715 Let me know what you're referring to. 00:23:22.715 --> 00:23:39.470 But if if it is regarding the orientation, what happens for students is once they are admitted, they'll go through a process of of, just preparing for starting the program, and one of those would be, participating in an orientation. 00:23:39.610 --> 00:23:41.835 It shows up on your Canvas. 00:23:41.895 --> 00:23:44.235 That's the online platform we use. 00:23:44.535 --> 00:23:47.515 It shows up almost as, like, a an additional course. 00:23:48.055 --> 00:23:53.495 It takes about three hours to complete, and it's you don't have to sit down for the full three hours and do it. 00:23:53.495 --> 00:23:57.500 You can break it up into, fragments if that helps out. 00:23:58.040 --> 00:24:12.475 But it's really designed to help you get acquainted with the program, what to expect, the university, the different departments in case you have any questions, whether it's related to billing or registration. 00:24:13.815 --> 00:24:17.115 It also covers the APA writing style. 00:24:18.295 --> 00:24:23.195 This is the the writing format that's used, the American Psychological Association's writing style. 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:29.960 It's a very common standard of writing that you would find in different psychology programs. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:36.200 If that's something that seems seems intimidating, don't be intimidated. 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:40.895 Most of the students, I would say, that go into this have no experience with it. 00:24:42.155 --> 00:24:45.035 It's something that every student, they adapt to. 00:24:45.035 --> 00:24:45.915 They learn it. 00:24:45.915 --> 00:24:52.880 Again, the fact that it's in the orientation means we wanna give you that opportunity to get acquainted with it. 00:24:53.580 --> 00:24:58.560 So this is just an idea of what to expect as you're entering into the program. 00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:01.840 So I hope that helps out. 00:25:02.540 --> 00:25:05.120 And looks like there was another question by Lisa. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:09.935 What are any requirements to join the program? 00:25:09.935 --> 00:25:11.715 So what are the requirements to join? 00:25:12.255 --> 00:25:13.455 Lisa, great question. 00:25:13.455 --> 00:25:26.260 So I'd say as a baseline, the first requirement is that you have at least one year of experience with the spiritual director that you've been working with. 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:33.360 And, you know, when we say a year of experience, we're referring to a recent year. 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:45.135 So maybe within the past, I'd say no further than five years as long as you've worked with a spiritual director for a year within the past five years, and that's the first place to begin. 00:25:45.835 --> 00:25:50.095 It's also required that when you're in the program, you do have a spiritual director. 00:25:50.690 --> 00:25:56.450 If right now you have that experience, but you don't currently have a spiritual director, that's perfectly fine. 00:25:56.450 --> 00:26:05.415 You you can still go through the application process and begin that before you've officially, found a spiritual director to work with. 00:26:05.415 --> 00:26:20.590 And my hope is that if that's where you are, regardless of where you are, even if you're going through the year of experience, I'd love to have a one on one conversation with you or anyone else here, and we can sort of map out a plan of how we can make this work. 00:26:21.210 --> 00:26:22.510 So I hope that's helpful. 00:26:23.370 --> 00:26:25.290 And, let's see. 00:26:25.290 --> 00:26:26.570 We're getting a lot of questions. 00:26:26.570 --> 00:26:27.630 This is really good. 00:26:28.250 --> 00:26:31.070 So one one question, father John. 00:26:32.395 --> 00:26:33.615 Is age a factor? 00:26:33.675 --> 00:26:35.535 I am 76 years old. 00:26:36.315 --> 00:26:38.095 I'm a 76 year old deacon. 00:26:38.715 --> 00:26:39.455 No degree. 00:26:39.515 --> 00:26:44.895 Ordained at 37 and soon to celebrate my thirty ninth anniversary of ordination. 00:26:45.515 --> 00:26:46.015 Congratulations. 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:49.220 So I'll I'll start. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:53.560 And, father John, I'd love to hear your sort of perspective as a faculty member too. 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:58.180 It's it doesn't play any sort of factor at all. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:00.040 It's not required that you have a degree. 00:27:00.495 --> 00:27:05.235 And, you know, you're 76 years old and and you're a deacon. 00:27:06.335 --> 00:27:23.520 My experience and father John, I think you can probably speak to more of this, but just speaking with the students that are interested in this program, I think there's something to be said about, folks who are who've lived a full life and are now being called a spiritual direction. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:38.955 Not to assume anything of of what God chooses for each person, but I think having that life experience and that wisdom really does add way more weight to offering direction to others. 00:27:39.415 --> 00:27:47.540 And so I don't think there's any sort of hindrance of being in your seventies or even in your eighties. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:56.340 I just from my experience speaking with people, it seems like that's actually been a great strength because they can bring with them that experience and that wisdom. 00:27:57.725 --> 00:28:03.025 So, anyway, I I'd love to hear father John just because you you do work with a lot of students on this. 00:28:04.525 --> 00:28:04.765 Yeah. 00:28:04.765 --> 00:28:07.405 I concur absolutely with you, Greg. 00:28:07.405 --> 00:28:12.780 I mean, god he god calls whom he will, whom he wills and when he will. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:17.020 So I I agree with you completely on that. 00:28:17.560 --> 00:28:17.960 Yeah. 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.460 Good. 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.440 Let's see. 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:23.260 There's one couple other questions. 00:28:23.325 --> 00:28:26.525 I'm happy to to just go right into this, father John, if you are. 00:28:26.525 --> 00:28:27.345 This is excellent. 00:28:27.485 --> 00:28:27.985 Sure. 00:28:28.765 --> 00:28:29.825 So let's see. 00:28:30.205 --> 00:28:33.105 Can the spiritual director be our pastor? 00:28:33.565 --> 00:28:34.065 Jackie. 00:28:34.125 --> 00:28:34.605 Yes. 00:28:34.605 --> 00:28:35.105 Absolutely. 00:28:35.245 --> 00:28:38.385 So your your your pastor can be your spiritual director. 00:28:39.270 --> 00:28:40.710 For some people, that's the case. 00:28:40.710 --> 00:28:43.450 Their pastor their parish is their spiritual director. 00:28:43.990 --> 00:28:46.330 For many others, it's a layperson. 00:28:46.790 --> 00:28:56.445 It is someone from a different parish, but, you you know, especially with with a lot of places, there is a scarcity of of spiritual directors. 00:28:56.585 --> 00:28:59.625 So for some people, they they reach out to wherever they can. 00:28:59.625 --> 00:29:05.790 But if your pastor is also your spiritual director, then, yeah, that's great. 00:29:05.790 --> 00:29:13.730 I I think what's important is to make sure that that relationship has director and direct key has been established. 00:29:15.230 --> 00:29:29.135 You know, for some people, they think of, for instance, when they go to mass as being an example of spiritual direction or if they go to confession that that spiritual direction and both very important. 00:29:29.995 --> 00:29:36.270 We should be doing both of these, though, these would not be considered spiritual direction sessions. 00:29:36.330 --> 00:29:40.590 These are, different activities that we participate in. 00:29:40.890 --> 00:29:55.155 So, but as long as your pastor you and your pastor are meeting in a in a defined context of spiritual direction where you're reserving that specific time for that, then that's perfectly fine. 00:29:58.110 --> 00:29:58.850 Let's see. 00:29:58.910 --> 00:30:01.010 And, Lisa, you have a question. 00:30:01.390 --> 00:30:07.330 I've had a spiritual direct I I have had spiritual direction through confession with my priest. 00:30:07.790 --> 00:30:09.950 Not sure this counts as formal direction. 00:30:09.950 --> 00:30:10.850 Would that count? 00:30:11.765 --> 00:30:16.265 So confession is is a separate sort of activity. 00:30:16.325 --> 00:30:33.970 That's a sacrament where, you know, spiritual direction is a little bit different where It's it's not confession, but rather the director's there mostly to listen and help offer some guidance. 00:30:35.310 --> 00:30:47.385 Now and then, you know, when I've I've gone to confession before and I'll, as I'm doing that, the priest may offer a very brief perspective and offer some advice on where to go from there. 00:30:47.385 --> 00:31:00.310 But, confession is a little bit more weighed out where there's maybe, like, forty five minutes to an hour reserved of of that listening and that dialogue. 00:31:01.330 --> 00:31:04.290 So confession would be a little bit different, but that's a great question. 00:31:04.290 --> 00:31:08.855 I'm glad you asked that, Lisa, because I think it's important to distinguish the two. 00:31:09.395 --> 00:31:11.875 And father John, may you're the priest here. 00:31:11.875 --> 00:31:15.015 Maybe you can you can paint it out a little bit more. 00:31:15.155 --> 00:31:15.395 Yeah. 00:31:15.395 --> 00:31:17.255 Again, it's an excellent question. 00:31:17.475 --> 00:31:28.240 And, maybe one thing that would be helpful here, Greg, is I could just delineate quickly, the way that we try to teach spiritual direction in this particular program. 00:31:29.580 --> 00:32:00.500 So the way that we approach it is really as a a sacred conversation between two people, the director and the directee, where both are listening to the Lord, in particular, as regards the directee, what the Lord is is saying, what the Lord is doing in the directee's life, to then help the directee to respond to that. 00:32:01.295 --> 00:32:06.515 So it's that listening and responding to the Lord. 00:32:07.135 --> 00:32:12.335 So in that sense, it's it's a little it's different than confession. 00:32:12.335 --> 00:32:19.950 Because in confession, what's happening is when I go to confession, I'm going to a priest who in that moment is acting in the person of Christ. 00:32:21.050 --> 00:32:23.290 And it's a sacramental encounter. 00:32:23.290 --> 00:32:31.325 It's actually the most sacred encounter, the most privileged encounter we could ever have because it's a direct encounter with the lord. 00:32:31.325 --> 00:32:40.305 That's why the church actually puts such tremendous safeguards around that sacrament because it's it's really a direct encounter with the lord. 00:32:41.245 --> 00:32:49.780 But as Greg was pointing out, it's an encounter that's focused on me confessing my sins and receiving the lord's forgiveness and mercy. 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:53.040 Now is there a guidance that takes place in that? 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:53.280 Yes. 00:32:53.280 --> 00:32:54.160 Many times there is. 00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:54.320 Sure. 00:32:54.320 --> 00:32:59.125 The priest will will give us some advice that can help us in our relationship with God. 00:32:59.185 --> 00:33:09.125 But spiritual direction is that longer conversation between two people who actually in that moment are basically peers. 00:33:09.580 --> 00:33:10.860 That's really important to remember. 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:13.980 It's not that the director is in the person of Christ. 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:25.435 I mean, when I when I was spiritual director there, even as a priest, I'm just listening, asking questions, trying to help the directee just to to recognize. 00:33:25.435 --> 00:33:25.675 Okay. 00:33:25.675 --> 00:33:26.955 What is it the lord is doing? 00:33:26.955 --> 00:33:28.235 We're discovering that together. 00:33:28.235 --> 00:33:32.895 I don't know what the lord is saying to this person either, but we're discovering that together. 00:33:33.435 --> 00:33:41.800 And then the directee is then better able to respond to what the lord is inviting him or her to do. 00:33:42.020 --> 00:33:46.360 So they complement each other, spiritual direction and confession, but they are different. 00:33:48.435 --> 00:33:48.835 Yeah. 00:33:48.835 --> 00:33:52.055 Thank you for for saying that. 00:33:53.155 --> 00:34:12.240 And I know a lot of people, by the way, just to add on to that very quickly, that for many people, they they their spiritual director is a priest, and they, for some of them, they'll do that because they they like the idea of being able to have their spiritual director also as their confessor. 00:34:13.020 --> 00:34:20.495 But, what I've seen in cases like that is that they reserve different times for that. 00:34:20.495 --> 00:34:39.900 So they're not sort of merging the two, but they're making sure that they're they're taking specific times and reserving that specific time for that specific purpose, whether it's the sacrament of confession or, the activity of the ministry of spiritual direction. 00:34:40.600 --> 00:34:46.620 So, yeah, father John, thank you for for sharing all that, and that's very helpful. 00:34:47.615 --> 00:34:52.175 And it looks like there's, one more question, and then we'll we'll just go over a few more things. 00:34:52.175 --> 00:34:55.295 But I again, feel free to keep dropping these questions. 00:34:55.295 --> 00:34:56.035 They're great. 00:34:56.815 --> 00:35:05.130 Jackie asks, is there guidance or a schedule to follow for working with your spiritual director? 00:35:06.230 --> 00:35:21.705 So, if I understand correctly, you know, one thing that that we look for as far as a requirement is that you not only have experience, but that that experience is consistent. 00:35:22.485 --> 00:35:30.670 And by that, that means that you've been regularly going to a spiritual director. 00:35:30.670 --> 00:35:35.170 And that could mean for some people, they're going once a week, which is pretty active. 00:35:35.870 --> 00:35:40.290 For a lot of people I speak with, they're going once a month or maybe once every six weeks. 00:35:40.775 --> 00:35:48.075 But I think the most important thing is that there is a consistency, that you are consistently receiving spiritual direction. 00:35:48.855 --> 00:35:57.280 When it's sporadic and it's, you know, once every six months and then maybe you see them again the next week, but then seven months goes by. 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:59.120 That's a little bit all over the place. 00:35:59.120 --> 00:36:16.755 So I would say if that's sort of where you are, and not disparaging that, the fact that you already have that that established relationship with the spiritual director's grade, I would see if you can try to, make it more consistent and make it more regular, and that would be a great place to go from there. 00:36:18.415 --> 00:36:21.795 And, Marion asked a question. 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:27.000 I've returned to the Catholic church after over a decade of attending a Lutheran church. 00:36:27.620 --> 00:36:30.040 I was a sister of Saint Joseph. 00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:32.120 I currently have a spiritual director. 00:36:34.020 --> 00:36:39.355 Do I have to wait until I've had a year's worth direction before beginning the program? 00:36:40.055 --> 00:36:42.795 So, Marion, that's a great question. 00:36:42.855 --> 00:36:52.560 It's so it is required that you have a year of experience before you start the program, but maybe I can distinguish something. 00:36:52.860 --> 00:36:56.400 It's not required that you have a year of experience before you apply. 00:36:57.740 --> 00:37:04.085 So students do apply before they've actually reached a full year of spiritual direction. 00:37:04.465 --> 00:37:08.645 I work with a lot of people that are on their way to gaining that full year. 00:37:09.265 --> 00:37:13.445 So it is important that you do have a year of experience before you officially begin. 00:37:13.985 --> 00:37:18.240 But let me know you know, maybe we can have a one on one dialogue. 00:37:18.620 --> 00:37:20.400 Let me know where you are in that. 00:37:20.780 --> 00:37:27.820 You know, if you're six months, seven months in and you're not quite at a year, but you're getting there, let's map out a time. 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:34.705 We can figure out when would be a good time for you to apply if God is calling you to this ministry, and we could just go from there. 00:37:36.285 --> 00:37:40.945 Gary, there are couple of questions earlier that, that weren't answered. 00:37:41.005 --> 00:37:46.980 There's one somebody asked, Paul, will you be discussing costs somewhere down the line? 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:54.660 And there was a question about, how many weeks in each term, how many terms, and where do we stay during the residency. 00:37:55.305 --> 00:37:55.545 Yeah. 00:37:55.545 --> 00:37:56.045 Good. 00:37:56.105 --> 00:37:56.585 Okay. 00:37:56.585 --> 00:38:02.445 Let's let's start with where do you stay during the residency because we're on that page right now. 00:38:03.465 --> 00:38:12.560 So when it comes to what to expect, and we talked about the activity, but so if you're flying in let me start there. 00:38:12.560 --> 00:38:16.420 If you're flying in, then you'd be flying in through Dulles Airport. 00:38:16.640 --> 00:38:21.520 And, Dulles is this is Northern Virginia. 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:26.365 So you would be attending the residencies on campus, and we're in Sterling, Virginia. 00:38:26.425 --> 00:38:30.685 That's about a thirty five, forty minute drive from Washington DC. 00:38:32.105 --> 00:38:34.985 Dulles Airport is a five minute drive. 00:38:34.985 --> 00:38:36.445 It's right around the corner. 00:38:37.465 --> 00:38:43.680 If I need to go to the post office when I'm on campus, I usually just go to Dulles because it's the closest one. 00:38:44.140 --> 00:39:01.445 And so students are flying they fly in through Dulles, and they're picked up by a, shuttle, and it takes them to their lodging area, which will be I can't remember if it's the Marriott Hotel or the Fairview Hotel, but it's hotel that's walking distance to the campus. 00:39:01.445 --> 00:39:03.625 So everything is in very close proximity. 00:39:04.885 --> 00:39:10.265 So you would be staying on, next door to the campus at the hotel. 00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:13.600 That's just give you an idea of the logistics. 00:39:14.540 --> 00:39:24.380 And, again, it goes from a Wednesday evening, as father John mentioned, is a meet and greet and mass and just a chance to gather together and go over what to expect. 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:28.835 And then Thursday morning to Sunday afternoon will be all of those activities. 00:39:30.735 --> 00:39:32.595 And then let's see the other questions. 00:39:32.815 --> 00:39:38.815 The let's go over the the time frame, because that's a good question too. 00:39:38.815 --> 00:39:46.310 So the the amount of time per course, each course is eight weeks. 00:39:46.310 --> 00:39:49.050 You're only taking one course per term. 00:39:50.790 --> 00:39:52.650 So each course is eight weeks. 00:39:52.790 --> 00:40:00.185 And usually and this isn't set in stone, but this is just how the courses are built out in a pattern that we've seen. 00:40:00.185 --> 00:40:06.925 Typically, students are committing somewhere between six hours a week to nine hours a week. 00:40:07.385 --> 00:40:17.310 So I would say if this is something that you're looking to, look at your own schedule, see if that's something that you could afford to put in as far as that time commitment. 00:40:18.330 --> 00:40:25.365 For some people, they they might carve out some time early in the morning, or they might do it late at night, and they make it work. 00:40:25.365 --> 00:40:30.345 But, definitely take that time to see if that's something that you can do that would work for you. 00:40:31.285 --> 00:40:36.770 I'll also share very quickly that between each term, there's a break. 00:40:36.990 --> 00:40:41.890 And these breaks last between six weeks to ten weeks. 00:40:42.430 --> 00:40:54.175 And I I actually really appreciate that these breaks are here, and I know that the students do too because this gives the students a chance to take a step back and reflect on the content that they're learning. 00:40:55.755 --> 00:40:57.995 The major holidays happen during these breaks. 00:40:57.995 --> 00:41:11.280 So especially for you that are any of yours any of this the, guests here that are active in the diaconate or the priesthood, I know that Holy Week is intense, and I'm sure that father John can speak to that as well. 00:41:12.860 --> 00:41:22.405 Holy Week happens during a downtime, so you're not having to juggle submitting assignments while at the same time having that sort of activity leading up to Easter week. 00:41:22.945 --> 00:41:28.565 So with Holy Week, Easter week, Christmas week, Thanksgiving, all of these happen during the breaks. 00:41:29.265 --> 00:41:37.960 And it's also a chance for students to take a a chance to come up for air and and replenish their funds. 00:41:37.960 --> 00:41:40.060 So that financial piece is helpful. 00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:47.975 And since we're speaking about the financial piece, another question, father John, that you mentioned that someone asked was the cost. 00:41:48.755 --> 00:41:52.775 So the cost per course is 800. 00:41:53.795 --> 00:41:59.315 And, by the way, if there there there is room to bring the cost down. 00:41:59.315 --> 00:42:24.995 So if you are active in any form of ministry, if you are a volunteer at your parish, even if you're just a member at your parish and you've been a member there and you're in good standing, as long as we get a letter from your parish or if you're in ministry, a letter from your, whoever oversees that or your superior, if you're you're in religious life, with that letter, we can reduce your cost by 10%. 00:42:24.995 --> 00:42:28.115 So it'd go down from 800 to what is that? 00:42:28.115 --> 00:42:29.815 $7.20 per course. 00:42:30.380 --> 00:42:34.140 So let me know, by the way, if if if we get a chance to speak one on one. 00:42:34.140 --> 00:42:38.560 Let me know if that's the case, and we can talk about how to bring the cost down even further. 00:42:39.260 --> 00:42:42.880 And then the cost per residency again, there are two residencies. 00:42:43.020 --> 00:42:47.585 Each residency is 1,100. 00:42:47.725 --> 00:42:49.505 So 1,100 per residency. 00:42:50.045 --> 00:42:53.025 That'll cover the cost of your lodging. 00:42:53.325 --> 00:42:59.265 It'll cover the cost of, your materials, and it'll cover the cost of most of your meals. 00:42:59.640 --> 00:43:09.260 You'd only be responsible for three of your dinners while you're here and also your travel, but everything else will be covered under that 1,100. 00:43:12.002 --> 00:43:14.065 And It looks like we have some other questions. 00:43:14.125 --> 00:43:14.525 Good. 00:43:14.525 --> 00:43:15.505 So let's see. 00:43:15.885 --> 00:43:17.485 I wanna make sure I'm not missing these. 00:43:17.485 --> 00:43:19.185 These are these are coming in fast. 00:43:22.205 --> 00:43:22.525 Okay. 00:43:22.525 --> 00:43:23.165 Here we are. 00:43:23.165 --> 00:43:28.780 So, so Jean writes or is it g n? 00:43:28.780 --> 00:43:29.580 Pardon me. 00:43:29.580 --> 00:43:30.300 Thanks, father. 00:43:30.300 --> 00:43:33.420 I used to live in, is it Cheshire? 00:43:33.420 --> 00:43:34.620 I can never pronounce Cheshire. 00:43:34.620 --> 00:43:34.780 Yeah. 00:43:34.780 --> 00:43:37.200 I can go to go to holy hours at the seminary. 00:43:37.340 --> 00:43:37.580 Yeah. 00:43:37.580 --> 00:43:39.040 I've been to many of those. 00:43:39.925 --> 00:43:40.425 Good. 00:43:40.485 --> 00:43:40.885 Alright. 00:43:40.885 --> 00:43:41.385 Excellent. 00:43:42.885 --> 00:43:46.165 Lisa writes, I am currently a teacher in a Catholic school. 00:43:46.165 --> 00:43:46.405 Sorry. 00:43:46.405 --> 00:43:48.665 There was there was a question that Jean Oh, good. 00:43:48.965 --> 00:43:49.365 Sure. 00:43:49.365 --> 00:43:52.345 Does the six to nine hours include class time? 00:43:52.670 --> 00:43:53.410 Oh, good. 00:43:53.870 --> 00:43:54.190 Yes. 00:43:54.910 --> 00:43:55.310 Yes. 00:43:55.310 --> 00:43:59.650 So the six to nine hours is basically everything related to the program. 00:44:00.110 --> 00:44:01.950 So that includes class time. 00:44:01.950 --> 00:44:02.930 And you know what? 00:44:03.310 --> 00:44:04.510 I shame on me. 00:44:04.510 --> 00:44:06.210 I skipped over something very important. 00:44:06.750 --> 00:44:14.705 The class time you know, when I mentioned that it's asynchronous, asynchronous, this is kind of a strange word, and some of you are familiar with it. 00:44:14.705 --> 00:44:17.525 And for some of you, this might be a new word. 00:44:18.705 --> 00:44:21.845 Synchronous education versus asynchronous education. 00:44:22.990 --> 00:44:28.770 Synchronous education is what I think a lot of people imagine an online program to be. 00:44:29.070 --> 00:44:43.185 So typically, people imagine an online course to involve students logging into Zoom like we are right now and being online for a certain designated amount of time. 00:44:43.185 --> 00:44:44.885 So in other words, it's live. 00:44:45.345 --> 00:44:52.565 You all logged in at 07:00 this evening, eastern or six, wherever you are, depending on your time zone. 00:44:53.190 --> 00:44:55.610 And we're here, doing this synchronously. 00:44:57.190 --> 00:45:08.645 In contrast, this program is asynchronous, which would mean that instead of you having to log in for a specific amount of time at a specific time. 00:45:08.865 --> 00:45:13.765 It's up to you when you want to log in and for how long you're participating. 00:45:15.665 --> 00:45:31.320 Now, again, it there may be some weeks where you don't have to put in as many hours because you are breezing through the content very effortlessly, and you're doing you're able to get through that in a shorter amount of time. 00:45:31.700 --> 00:45:39.025 And then there might be other weeks where you find yourself that you'll need to take a little bit more time to absorb the information. 00:45:39.965 --> 00:45:48.705 And so those six to nine hours are really just, again, a pattern that we've seen in in a way that the courses are built out. 00:45:48.900 --> 00:45:53.000 So I would say expect the courses to take about that amount of time. 00:45:54.340 --> 00:46:01.720 But as far as the classroom time, that doesn't that that does mean activity in the discussion boards. 00:46:01.780 --> 00:46:10.225 It means the activity in your modules, so your reading assignments, your writing assignments, any prerecorded lectures that there are. 00:46:10.445 --> 00:46:15.825 So six to nine hours covers everything related to the program. 00:46:17.060 --> 00:46:19.080 So I hope that answers your question. 00:46:21.140 --> 00:46:22.040 Let's see. 00:46:23.540 --> 00:46:30.600 Lisa Lisa asked, I'm currently a teacher in a Catholic school looking towards retirement eventually. 00:46:31.405 --> 00:46:33.985 What is the workload like per week? 00:46:35.005 --> 00:46:36.605 So, yeah, six to nine hours per week. 00:46:36.605 --> 00:46:38.385 It really just it varies. 00:46:38.685 --> 00:46:40.925 I'm also the music director at our church. 00:46:40.925 --> 00:46:44.870 So, yes, Holy Week and Christmas, two very busy times of year. 00:46:44.870 --> 00:46:45.370 Yeah. 00:46:45.430 --> 00:46:52.170 Busy for for a lot of folks, not just, deacons and priests, but anybody active that's active in ministry. 00:46:53.110 --> 00:46:54.890 So, yeah, I'd say look at your schedule. 00:46:54.950 --> 00:46:59.545 Look to see if you could reserve I'd say just to be on the safe side. 00:46:59.545 --> 00:47:07.405 See if you could reserve nine to ten hours per week just to be on the safe side because there may be some weeks where you're putting in a little bit more. 00:47:09.225 --> 00:47:09.465 Yeah. 00:47:09.465 --> 00:47:10.345 So let's see. 00:47:10.345 --> 00:47:15.780 The total number of courses not included the residencies. 00:47:16.320 --> 00:47:17.360 Paul, great question. 00:47:17.360 --> 00:47:19.220 So there are let me scroll up. 00:47:19.440 --> 00:47:21.940 There are six courses that students are taking. 00:47:22.400 --> 00:47:26.455 These are the six courses in front of you, and they're sequential. 00:47:26.455 --> 00:47:28.355 They're they go in this order. 00:47:28.815 --> 00:47:33.635 So, and we have the course descriptions on our on our website as well. 00:47:34.335 --> 00:47:40.470 Father John, since you're you're here, maybe you can speak a little bit about the courses you're that you're active with. 00:47:41.990 --> 00:47:42.470 Sure. 00:47:42.470 --> 00:47:42.970 Yeah. 00:47:43.110 --> 00:47:52.695 Maybe even I can speak briefly about sort of the flow or the sequence of these courses because a lot of a thought went into this. 00:47:52.695 --> 00:47:56.075 A lot of prayer went into this from the directors of the program. 00:47:56.695 --> 00:48:03.435 And this is actually done in conjunction with some of the professors from psychology and counseling as well. 00:48:03.895 --> 00:48:07.640 So everybody at Divine Mercy put a lot of thought, a lot of prayer into this. 00:48:07.640 --> 00:48:10.780 So the first course, obviously, is just the foundations. 00:48:12.120 --> 00:48:23.955 So it's really just an overview of the spiritual life, our relationship with God, spiritual direction, and spiritual direction's role in our growth and our relationship with god. 00:48:23.955 --> 00:48:34.535 So it's it's very foundational in that sense, and it's it's, you could say, setting the bases, which will then be referred to again and again throughout the different courses. 00:48:35.350 --> 00:48:39.030 Then the 200 is human development for spiritual direction. 00:48:39.030 --> 00:48:45.930 What that means specifically, actually, that's where we we dive deep into what does it mean to be a relational being. 00:48:46.950 --> 00:48:49.755 So how do we form relationships as human beings? 00:48:49.755 --> 00:48:56.095 Because, obviously, spiritual direction is about the most important relationship in our lives, which is our relationship with god. 00:48:56.715 --> 00:49:03.690 But since we're human beings, it's very important to know how do human beings form strong relationships. 00:49:04.390 --> 00:49:10.790 So what helps us to form strong relationships, and then what maybe are some some things that can hinder us? 00:49:10.790 --> 00:49:15.625 And, obviously, with God's grace, we can we can overcome that, but it's important to know what they are. 00:49:15.625 --> 00:49:32.810 So this is a really interesting course because we're we're going deeper into that reality of being created in the image and likeness of god as a relational being using the tools of modern psychological study to understand ourselves and each other more deeply. 00:49:33.430 --> 00:49:39.830 Then the 300 relating skills for spiritual direction, that's really where we study and practice. 00:49:39.830 --> 00:49:46.835 How do we form a strong, secure relationship with other people in practice? 00:49:47.055 --> 00:49:49.215 So the 200 is kind of the theory of it. 00:49:49.215 --> 00:49:51.695 The 300 is, how do we do that in practice? 00:49:51.695 --> 00:49:55.955 In particular, we emphasize listening skills. 00:49:57.040 --> 00:50:02.720 We could talk so much about listening, but Jesus does it in the gospel again and again. 00:50:02.720 --> 00:50:06.980 It's interesting how many questions Jesus asks in the gospel. 00:50:07.680 --> 00:50:09.380 Who do you say that I am? 00:50:09.520 --> 00:50:11.380 What do you want me to do for you? 00:50:11.825 --> 00:50:13.185 What are you looking for? 00:50:13.185 --> 00:50:14.305 What are you talking about? 00:50:14.305 --> 00:50:15.265 The road to Emmaus. 00:50:15.265 --> 00:50:16.625 We just read that after Easter. 00:50:16.625 --> 00:50:16.865 Right? 00:50:16.865 --> 00:50:17.665 The road to Emmaus. 00:50:17.665 --> 00:50:19.925 What are you talking about as you walk along? 00:50:20.705 --> 00:50:24.945 You know, we were hoping that Jesus would be the one to save us. 00:50:24.945 --> 00:50:28.900 And so it's really interesting how the lord himself does that. 00:50:29.360 --> 00:50:35.140 And so we're really learning that and then practicing that in the residency in the March. 00:50:36.000 --> 00:50:39.440 April is discernment and spiritual growth theory and practice. 00:50:39.440 --> 00:51:09.685 So this is where we're we're trying to take what we've learned in these first three courses and now integrate it more and more with kind of the, you could say, the meat and potatoes of spiritual direction, which is that listening to the Lord, discerning the Lord's voice, distinguishing his voice, being attentive to the way that he's speaking to me, to the circumstances in my life so that I can choose him and keep responding to him. 00:51:09.685 --> 00:51:10.885 So that's the 400. 00:51:10.885 --> 00:51:16.825 The 500 is really just continuing to to put all these different skills together. 00:51:17.525 --> 00:51:27.790 And then also, the residency in the 500 is where we really begin to practice, how would I start a spiritual direction session with somebody? 00:51:27.790 --> 00:51:29.310 How would I start a relationship with somebody? 00:51:29.310 --> 00:51:31.890 What are kind of the parameters of spiritual direction? 00:51:32.670 --> 00:51:35.310 So we're studying and practicing all of that. 00:51:35.310 --> 00:51:38.190 It's becoming more and more practical, you could say. 00:51:38.190 --> 00:51:42.725 And then the 600 continues all that, but we're also studying there. 00:51:43.665 --> 00:51:46.565 What does prayer look like as it develops? 00:51:47.105 --> 00:51:50.565 You know, somebody moves along in his or her relationship with the Lord. 00:51:51.505 --> 00:51:56.040 What are some some common elements in that growth? 00:51:56.040 --> 00:52:02.060 Granted that everyone's different, but at the same time, what do the spiritual masters and the saints teach us about that? 00:52:02.200 --> 00:52:11.875 And, also, what are some unusual or rare, but still possible situations that might come up in spiritual direction? 00:52:12.335 --> 00:52:15.715 And how does one, how does one address those? 00:52:16.175 --> 00:52:21.670 So it's kind of going from the the basic, the general, to the more and more specific and particular. 00:52:21.670 --> 00:52:25.910 So it's a it's a really, really beautiful flow. 00:52:25.910 --> 00:52:31.850 And what I found teaching it and just talking with the students about it, it's it's very organic. 00:52:31.910 --> 00:52:37.595 We just kind of grow into the next step with the help of God. 00:52:39.335 --> 00:52:39.835 Yeah. 00:52:39.895 --> 00:52:40.395 Excellent. 00:52:41.015 --> 00:52:50.155 This is this is great, and and thank you for sharing, really the just what to expect in the program, what the students are gonna be learning. 00:52:52.660 --> 00:52:52.980 Yeah. 00:52:52.980 --> 00:52:53.860 This is very good. 00:52:53.860 --> 00:52:56.040 And looks like we have another question. 00:52:56.900 --> 00:52:58.420 Is it pass fail? 00:52:58.420 --> 00:53:00.020 What is the grading system? 00:53:00.260 --> 00:53:02.360 So father Jonathan, can you speak to that? 00:53:03.380 --> 00:53:03.620 Sure. 00:53:03.620 --> 00:53:06.455 I mean, there is a grading system. 00:53:06.835 --> 00:53:10.855 So it's not it's not pass fail strictly speaking. 00:53:11.315 --> 00:53:13.495 So there is a grading system. 00:53:14.755 --> 00:53:20.430 At the same time, what we try to do with the grading is, as I mentioned before, to be to be very qualitative. 00:53:20.650 --> 00:53:28.090 So it's not just this is the grade, but these are things that you did very well, and they're always things that everyone does very well. 00:53:28.090 --> 00:53:32.410 And then these perhaps are some areas for growth in there. 00:53:32.410 --> 00:53:41.525 So it's, yeah, my experience is that it's it's very personalized in that sense. 00:53:41.585 --> 00:53:49.380 And, I mean, my experience teaching it too has been everyone has done has done well and then gives the opportunity as well. 00:53:49.380 --> 00:54:11.275 If someone needs a bit more coaching in a certain area, then the professors do that, which is really interesting and very, I think, very helpful as well just to ensure that everyone who whom the Lord is calling to this program and who who is following the Lord's call in this really has the support that he or she needs to flourish in this. 00:54:12.790 --> 00:54:13.270 Yeah. 00:54:13.270 --> 00:54:13.770 Good. 00:54:15.430 --> 00:54:15.910 Let's see. 00:54:15.910 --> 00:54:25.610 You know, there there's one question that, wasn't asked, but I I do get this question a lot when when speaking with students that are looking into this. 00:54:26.230 --> 00:54:27.690 Let me go back to the residencies. 00:54:28.605 --> 00:54:37.185 So one question that I typically get is what if a residency happens to fall on a week that you can't make? 00:54:37.645 --> 00:54:46.770 Maybe you have a wedding to attend or you have a scheduled surgery and it happens to fall during this this week of the residency. 00:54:47.950 --> 00:54:54.610 If that ever happens, then as a student, you can just take a leave of absence. 00:54:55.105 --> 00:54:58.005 Basically, this means that you're taking a term off. 00:55:00.305 --> 00:55:02.565 And every student can take three leave of absences. 00:55:03.185 --> 00:55:09.600 I only ever suggest using it if there's a good reason for it, but this gives you a little bit more flexibility. 00:55:09.980 --> 00:55:26.675 So if let's say that you're approaching your third term where the residency happens to fall and you won't be able to make that, you'll just take leave of absence with the program administrator, and, you're taking that term off. 00:55:26.675 --> 00:55:39.750 And then when you're ready to come back into the program, you could come back in at any other term, whether it's one leave after that or, two terms after that, meaning you're taking two leave of absences. 00:55:40.530 --> 00:55:43.270 But, this will just give you a little bit more flexibility. 00:55:43.490 --> 00:55:52.715 So I wouldn't want you to feel like, you know, things are up in the air with your schedule or maybe you are required to travel now and then. 00:55:53.415 --> 00:55:59.195 I wouldn't let that be a prevention from you going into this program, especially if God is calling you to this ministry. 00:56:00.215 --> 00:56:11.220 We wanna make sure that we can equip people with that and wanna give them a little bit more room to follow their priorities while also being able to to participate in that. 00:56:13.760 --> 00:56:18.400 There was one other question, and, I typed it out to a student, but it was a good question. 00:56:18.400 --> 00:56:21.460 But he just wanted to make sure how long is the program. 00:56:21.995 --> 00:56:25.115 So the program is it's a two year program. 00:56:25.115 --> 00:56:29.295 So from beginning to end, again, you're taking six courses. 00:56:29.515 --> 00:56:32.495 You're taking three courses per year. 00:56:33.115 --> 00:56:35.775 One course per term, again, breaks in between. 00:56:36.260 --> 00:56:40.200 So, yeah, it's a two year program from beginning to end. 00:56:40.900 --> 00:56:42.020 And let's see. 00:56:42.020 --> 00:56:48.840 We are just about at the end, but, father John, I'll ask one more question that I do get from students. 00:56:49.725 --> 00:56:54.705 Is it required that you're a Catholic in order to be active in this program? 00:56:56.205 --> 00:56:57.025 Good question. 00:56:57.485 --> 00:56:57.805 No. 00:56:57.805 --> 00:56:58.285 It's not. 00:56:58.285 --> 00:57:03.425 In fact, we've had a number of, non Catholics in this program. 00:57:06.020 --> 00:57:22.755 In fact, this is an interesting question you bring up because spiritual direction really all it requires is that there are two people who are both listening to the Lord, who who have some familiarity with the Lord and who are listening to the Lord's voice. 00:57:23.135 --> 00:57:29.535 So we also have had people, and I've actually had spiritual directees as well, who are not Catholic. 00:57:29.535 --> 00:57:30.755 Obviously, I'm Catholic. 00:57:30.815 --> 00:57:31.135 Right? 00:57:31.135 --> 00:57:38.540 But I've had directees who are not, and it's really, really beautiful just to see the way that the Lord works in that. 00:57:39.320 --> 00:57:47.340 So, no, it's not required that, someone be Catholic in order to enter this program and complete this program. 00:57:48.545 --> 00:57:48.945 Yeah. 00:57:48.945 --> 00:57:49.445 Good. 00:57:49.985 --> 00:57:50.945 Well, let's see. 00:57:50.945 --> 00:57:56.305 We are now at 07:59, so we're right at the top, of the hour. 00:57:56.305 --> 00:57:59.505 So maybe this is a place to, to end it. 00:57:59.505 --> 00:58:07.800 So I'll just share very quickly that, you know, we're we're about to start our summer term, but we're about to begin enrollment for the fall term. 00:58:07.800 --> 00:58:12.280 Fall is going to start, on August 23. 00:58:12.280 --> 00:58:22.425 That's gonna be the start of the fall term, and now is a great time to apply for it because it'll give you time to, get your recommendations in. 00:58:23.525 --> 00:58:33.530 It'll give you time to if you're admitted, it'll give you plenty of time to look at the orientation and and take that, giving you more wiggle room to learn about what to expect. 00:58:33.990 --> 00:58:37.450 So, my contact information is right here. 00:58:37.830 --> 00:58:39.270 Feel free to screenshot it. 00:58:39.270 --> 00:58:42.970 There's a code, by the way, if you'd like to apply for the program. 00:58:43.635 --> 00:58:47.655 We can waive that application fee, if you use that code. 00:58:48.115 --> 00:58:53.655 And, again, what I'd like to do is if that's something that you're looking to, I'd love to speak with you one on one. 00:58:54.195 --> 00:58:57.715 So, everybody, thank you so much for for being here. 00:58:57.715 --> 00:58:59.040 Father John, thank you. 00:58:59.120 --> 00:58:59.680 Oh, you're welcome. 00:58:59.680 --> 00:59:00.080 Thank you. 00:59:00.080 --> 00:59:01.120 I really enjoyed it. 00:59:01.120 --> 00:59:02.740 Maybe we end with the glory be. 00:59:02.880 --> 00:59:03.120 Yeah. 00:59:03.120 --> 00:59:04.020 Let's do that. 00:59:04.960 --> 00:59:07.700 In the name of the father, and the son, and of the holy spirit. 00:59:08.080 --> 00:59:08.580 Amen. 00:59:10.080 --> 00:59:14.100 All glory be to the father, and to the son, and to the holy spirit. 00:59:15.005 --> 00:59:18.925 As a living in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. 00:59:19.085 --> 00:59:20.525 With that end. 00:59:20.525 --> 00:59:21.025 Amen. 00:59:21.405 --> 00:59:24.525 In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit. 00:59:24.525 --> 00:59:25.025 Amen. 00:59:25.485 --> 00:59:25.805 Alright. 00:59:25.805 --> 00:59:26.445 Thanks, Greg. 00:59:26.445 --> 00:59:27.265 Thanks, everyone. 00:59:27.485 --> 00:59:28.525 Thanks, father John. 00:59:28.525 --> 00:59:29.425 Take care, everyone. 00:59:30.070 --> 00:59:30.890 God bless. 00:59:31.190 --> 00:59:31.690 Bye.