WEBVTT 00:00:05.920 --> 00:00:07.620 Do you know, maybe we just go ahead. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:08.640 Okay. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:12.080 We'll start with a prayer, and we'll just kind of ease into it. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:14.735 And then people will yeah. 00:00:14.955 --> 00:00:18.495 People will start to to filter in. 00:00:19.115 --> 00:00:22.255 In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. 00:00:22.715 --> 00:00:23.215 Amen. 00:00:23.835 --> 00:00:24.335 Amen. 00:00:26.550 --> 00:00:31.130 Oh god, by the light of the Holy Spirit, you have taught the hearts of your faithful. 00:00:31.670 --> 00:00:38.010 In the same spirit, make us truly wise and give us the joy of your comfort and your guidance. 00:00:38.550 --> 00:00:41.050 We ask this through Christ our lord. 00:00:41.895 --> 00:00:42.395 Amen. 00:00:43.015 --> 00:00:43.515 Amen. 00:00:44.295 --> 00:00:47.255 Mary, mother of mercy Pray for us. 00:00:47.335 --> 00:00:50.875 Pray for us in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. 00:00:51.495 --> 00:00:51.975 Amen. 00:00:51.975 --> 00:00:52.375 Amen. 00:00:52.375 --> 00:00:52.775 Alright. 00:00:52.775 --> 00:00:56.635 Well, just a big welcome to everyone who is here online. 00:00:57.070 --> 00:00:59.170 We can't see you, but we know you're there. 00:00:59.870 --> 00:01:02.450 And I'm father John Pietro Pauli. 00:01:02.590 --> 00:01:05.790 So I teach in the spiritual direction program. 00:01:05.790 --> 00:01:12.385 I teach the 600 course, which is the last of the courses, The last, hopefully, not the least. 00:01:12.385 --> 00:01:18.305 And then I also, helped to lead the residency in the 500 course. 00:01:18.305 --> 00:01:24.690 And later on, when we have overview of the program, I'll go through a little bit more what I mean by that, what the residency is. 00:01:24.850 --> 00:01:33.750 And, also, I've actually had the blessing to be involved in the spiritual direction program pretty much since its inception, in 2017. 00:01:35.010 --> 00:01:47.505 We had a, a meeting here at Divine Mercy University, which at that time was still located in a very, cramped and uncomfortable office building in Downtown Arlington. 00:01:47.885 --> 00:01:58.610 You know, just a group of spiritual directors, some legionaries of Christ, some laypeople who wanted to talk about developing a spiritual direction program through Divine Mercy University. 00:01:58.830 --> 00:02:01.570 So that's, that's where that began. 00:02:02.110 --> 00:02:03.730 And since then, it's just grown. 00:02:03.950 --> 00:02:13.065 It started in 2019, and it's just grown wonderfully and has been a huge blessing for me personally just to be a part of it in so many different ways. 00:02:13.525 --> 00:02:16.105 I also want to introduce Sharon. 00:02:16.245 --> 00:02:18.105 How do you pronounce your last name, Sharon? 00:02:18.245 --> 00:02:18.745 Mank. 00:02:18.885 --> 00:02:19.285 Mank. 00:02:19.285 --> 00:02:19.605 Okay. 00:02:19.605 --> 00:02:23.860 Sharon Mank, who is a graduate of our program here at Divine Mercy. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:27.300 And I was wondering, Sharon, if you could just tell us a little bit about yourself. 00:02:28.480 --> 00:02:28.880 Sure. 00:02:29.920 --> 00:02:36.755 I went through the program at a very significant time in my life. 00:02:36.755 --> 00:02:39.975 It was major transition, but I graduated in May. 00:02:40.195 --> 00:02:52.670 Probably finished up the coursework, a little bit or a couple months earlier than that, and then actually when I think it was December that I finished up and then participated in the program in May. 00:02:53.610 --> 00:03:02.030 So I've been walking with people throughout the program and seeing where God is leading me to use this ministry in the church. 00:03:03.085 --> 00:03:03.585 Alright. 00:03:04.125 --> 00:03:05.825 Well, we're glad to have you tonight. 00:03:05.885 --> 00:03:06.625 Thank you. 00:03:06.765 --> 00:03:13.565 And, basically, the format, what we're going to be following is we'll have some time for Sharon to answer some questions. 00:03:13.565 --> 00:03:14.845 I'll be asking her some questions. 00:03:14.845 --> 00:03:17.025 We'll just have a conversation about that. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:29.160 And then I do have a few slides as well that I'll present after that, just a quick overview of what spiritual direction is and what the program itself looks like. 00:03:29.625 --> 00:03:32.745 And then we'll have some time for questions as well. 00:03:32.745 --> 00:03:37.085 And I think the best way to ask questions is probably the chat here. 00:03:38.105 --> 00:03:39.385 We already have a question here. 00:03:39.385 --> 00:03:41.725 Somebody asking me, was I ever in the marine corps? 00:03:42.105 --> 00:03:43.885 I was never in the marine corps. 00:03:44.090 --> 00:03:50.090 Now when I was in high school, I've actually wanted to be an army ranger, but thought of other plans. 00:03:50.090 --> 00:03:52.010 So I love the marines too, though. 00:03:52.010 --> 00:03:53.310 Nothing against the marines. 00:03:54.170 --> 00:03:54.490 Okay. 00:03:54.490 --> 00:03:56.970 So, yeah, you can just be putting questions in here as they come up. 00:03:56.970 --> 00:04:04.385 And some of the questions, the more practical questions, will probably be answered as well in the slideshow presentation just so you know that. 00:04:05.005 --> 00:04:05.405 Alright. 00:04:05.405 --> 00:04:13.105 Well, Sharon, so the first question that I wanted to ask was just overall, we can start generally. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:17.760 What was your experience in the spiritual direction program? 00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:23.440 I'd have to say overall, it was an excellent experience. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:27.200 Gained far more than I could have anticipated. 00:04:27.900 --> 00:04:38.605 And it was something I've served in a done ministry in the church for most of my my life, beginning with CCD when I was in high school. 00:04:40.105 --> 00:04:57.850 But the program itself, the content, the flexibility of the scheduling, overall, I got so much more than I anticipated as a person and where I was in my own spiritual life when I started the program. 00:04:58.815 --> 00:05:08.895 And it became a very safe and, loving environment, which was conducive to what we were learning about. 00:05:08.895 --> 00:05:14.060 So, it definitely, overall, was excellent. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:14.300 Yes. 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:26.080 There were times that it was hard or whatever, but it if you are discerning possibly being a spiritual director, I definitely would advise going through the program. 00:05:29.065 --> 00:05:30.265 And I was wondering too, Sharon. 00:05:30.265 --> 00:05:32.525 You used a couple words there, safe and loving. 00:05:34.025 --> 00:05:39.805 I was wondering if you could say a bit more about that because you said that was conducive to the skills that you were learning too. 00:05:40.710 --> 00:05:42.070 You know, it really was. 00:05:42.070 --> 00:05:53.830 I the program came at a time, like I said, it was a major shift in, my ministry, and I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast. 00:05:53.830 --> 00:05:56.085 So that was a a transition time for me. 00:05:56.645 --> 00:06:22.340 What I found from the staff and the program and the content of the six classes was the loving, nurturing space for myself to grow, looking at at where I've come from in my spiritual life and that that safety of what we hope to give to our directees. 00:06:23.105 --> 00:06:31.365 And it's in hindsight to be able to pinpoint that was what I was actually spear experiencing all along in the process. 00:06:32.385 --> 00:06:42.630 So the practical of how to how to be a spiritual director and the program itself provided me the very thing that we're being trained to do. 00:06:43.330 --> 00:06:43.830 Okay. 00:06:45.170 --> 00:06:52.935 It's interesting you bring that up because I was just thinking about when we were developing this program, you know, so many years ago no. 00:06:52.935 --> 00:06:53.975 Well, not so many years ago. 00:06:53.975 --> 00:06:55.995 It seems like so many years ago now. 00:06:56.535 --> 00:07:05.195 That one of the things that we were talking about quite a bit was what, you know, what does god hope a spiritual director is? 00:07:06.370 --> 00:07:15.650 You know, in addition and even more importantly than the different skills that we learn, which are obviously very important, and the different knowledge that we learn, which is also important. 00:07:15.650 --> 00:07:17.910 But above all, what are we called to be? 00:07:18.335 --> 00:07:20.915 Who are we called to be as spiritual directors? 00:07:21.775 --> 00:07:22.275 Mhmm. 00:07:22.735 --> 00:07:25.055 And, yeah, those words are very good. 00:07:25.055 --> 00:07:38.290 Like, the safe and the loving space in which the the soul in front of us, the person in front of us, and also we ourselves as spiritual directors can hear God and respond. 00:07:39.390 --> 00:07:58.985 And I think even for an online program, you know, there are there are different, activities throughout where we'll have a reading assignment on a particular topic or an exercise and then the opportunity to share that in small groups of, say, a triad or or whatever. 00:07:59.340 --> 00:08:07.680 And posting those and then having the feedback of not only the instructor at the time, but then your fellow classmates. 00:08:08.700 --> 00:08:29.800 That was affirming being able to affirm others in their insights While I was benefiting from insights that others had from what I had shared, I was also benefiting from their interpretation, peripheral reflection on the same material that I was called to read as a fellow student. 00:08:32.260 --> 00:08:32.580 Yeah. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:33.460 That's a great point. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:39.460 Maybe kind of like in the gospel, Jesus says where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:49.645 That there is something powerful about sharing those experiences and learning through conversation with others and sharing with others and through hearing others' experiences too. 00:08:49.945 --> 00:08:50.445 Mhmm. 00:08:50.505 --> 00:08:54.365 Father, someone mentioned by safe, do I mean a trusting environment? 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:56.500 I would have to say yes. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:09:05.880 There was, number one, you're in a forum where strangers from all over the world, actually, because we have people that are international students. 00:09:06.260 --> 00:09:19.455 And that safety of we learn in spiritual direction that it takes time to build a level of trust and security with a directee and, you know, the director. 00:09:20.315 --> 00:09:29.100 And there again, that was being given to us in the very environment of online. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:34.680 And you never had to share more than what you chose to or at what level. 00:09:34.680 --> 00:09:41.215 And so, really, the challenge and the opportunity to respect ourselves in that process. 00:09:42.075 --> 00:09:49.440 And I think the experience too, some of those skills and I don't know. 00:09:49.440 --> 00:10:17.435 I think it may have been in the 200 or 300 class, the listening skills, the active questioning, those kinds of things, while we were learning to develop and deepen our ability to use those skills, ultimately, those of us who are seeking to be spiritual directors or think God is calling us to do it, there's already a degree of facility with those skills. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:23.720 And, of course, we're developing, learning where our strengths and weaknesses are in the process. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:24.980 Yeah. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.200 That's a great point. 00:10:27.060 --> 00:10:41.715 One of our recent graduates, or I think recent graduates, or maybe still is finishing up the program, Therese, said something in the chat, which I think goes along with what you were saying, Sharon, that we're called to be compassionate listeners as spiritual directors. 00:10:41.715 --> 00:10:46.935 And so we're at a safe environment where there's total respect for us as students. 00:10:47.155 --> 00:11:04.685 And, also, it's something that we then take into our own ministry as spiritual directors that there's there's deep respect, compassion, reverence for the person in front of us, and a deep trust in god too because God's the one who makes everything safe in the end. 00:11:04.685 --> 00:11:09.265 I mean, everything's safe within God, in God and his strength. 00:11:09.885 --> 00:11:10.125 Mhmm. 00:11:10.125 --> 00:11:29.050 I think that's a good point because that common a common understanding that people in the class and the instructors that we all have a personal relationship, and we're coming with that to whatever level any one person. 00:11:29.590 --> 00:11:34.645 And we seek to have that mature to grow deeper. 00:11:35.345 --> 00:11:47.205 And, of course, there's already, you know, the requirements for the program and having spiritual direction and those kinds of things that are prerequisites. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:12:12.805 But I do believe that, ultimately, the spiritual direction is all about, you know, that relationship or individual relationship with the Lord for not only the DIRECTE, but we as directors, you know, continuing to develop our own personal relationships so that we can be that listening sounding board for the directees. 00:12:13.025 --> 00:12:22.100 You know, we're we're allowing them to have the sacred space where they can be loved and respected, and they're the experts on their own spiritual life. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:37.685 And we get to be the individuals who, with great reverence, receive whatever a directee shares and then helps them to be affirmed in that understanding of self awareness. 00:12:38.385 --> 00:12:47.650 And then if the Holy Spirit guides us in a particular way to ask for confirmation from the individual, the directee. 00:12:48.030 --> 00:12:50.110 Does that how do you resonate with that? 00:12:50.110 --> 00:12:52.110 Is that what your experience is? 00:12:52.110 --> 00:12:58.265 And so, truly, the directee is the expert. 00:12:58.265 --> 00:13:04.605 The Holy Spirit is revealing himself, and that person is is sharing their awareness of that understanding. 00:13:05.945 --> 00:13:06.665 Thank you. 00:13:06.665 --> 00:13:06.905 Yeah. 00:13:06.905 --> 00:13:07.885 It's well put. 00:13:08.425 --> 00:13:08.665 Yeah. 00:13:08.665 --> 00:13:14.980 And speaking of the program, I was wondering what drew you to this particular spiritual direction program? 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:24.100 I'd have to say I was familiar with Divine Mercy University. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:25.860 I knew when it was IPS. 00:13:27.975 --> 00:13:41.915 Like I said earlier, I had been on the the West Coast living for eight years or so, and I was aware of others who I knew who had taken other programs from Divine Mercy. 00:13:42.990 --> 00:13:55.170 Because many people had asked me to be a spiritual director, I was never formally trained, and so I declined early on because I know the sacredness of it. 00:13:55.470 --> 00:14:04.825 And the last thing I would wanna do is to be a hindrance to someone's personal relationship with the Lord. 00:14:04.885 --> 00:14:10.505 So I took it very, it it was a very sacred thing when people asked me. 00:14:10.885 --> 00:14:16.870 And, basically, I said, well, you know, I want what you have. 00:14:16.870 --> 00:14:19.530 And so they were reflecting on my spiritual life. 00:14:19.830 --> 00:14:33.345 Divine Mercy University, because of the reputation that I had already heard the university had, the fact that the program was online that would fit into my my daily lifestyle. 00:14:36.525 --> 00:14:46.080 It was definitely within my my price range to be able to get the experience and to make whatever, adjustments I needed to in order to go through the program. 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:58.845 And I think just looking at the website and the thoroughness of the curriculum were things that were attracting me to the the program. 00:14:58.845 --> 00:14:59.345 Okay. 00:14:59.965 --> 00:15:11.520 And flowing from that or maybe preceding that in a certain sense, I was wondering if you could just share a little bit too about your own calling to be a spiritual director. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:22.800 What were some of the the elements of that that you might share about your discernment and realization that god might be calling me to be a spiritual director? 00:15:26.105 --> 00:15:41.870 Having benefited from spiritual direction myself over my entire adult life, having gone to Catholic schools, there again, I think I sought out priests and sisters as spiritual guides and directors. 00:15:41.870 --> 00:15:50.610 Well, I maybe could not have called it spiritual direction at the time and truly was what it was at that juncture in my life. 00:15:52.905 --> 00:16:13.740 I personally had benefited so much from spiritual direction, sharing my my journey with the lord and how he was acting in my life that there was a a calling within that I felt the Lord was saying, I need your help to make this available to other individuals. 00:16:14.280 --> 00:16:23.575 There's so much of life that I think all of us, myself included, we go through this experience of life. 00:16:23.575 --> 00:16:37.410 And if we don't make time to be aware of God's voice and action, then the fullness of our life is really hindered. 00:16:37.870 --> 00:16:41.890 We're not really, living to the utmost. 00:16:41.950 --> 00:16:46.370 I mean, we can be busy about many things, but it's in the the quiet times. 00:16:47.945 --> 00:16:58.045 When I hear people's stories, I know for myself, there are more miracles that happen on a daily basis than the world gives credit and acknowledgment of. 00:16:59.065 --> 00:17:07.410 And I think in my own life, times where, you know, I was near death a number of times and the Lord spared me. 00:17:07.410 --> 00:17:10.210 So, obviously, he's not finished with me yet. 00:17:10.210 --> 00:17:13.430 He has more things that he wishes me to be for others. 00:17:14.295 --> 00:17:41.700 And so hearing that voice, knowing the benefit, knowing the sacredness of it, I would never have while I've worked with students, by profession and educator, the sacredness again to really get out of the way and allow a person to flourish in their relationship and understanding of God's love for them. 00:17:42.485 --> 00:17:55.785 I knew I needed a structured environment to hone in on the very skills to be the best experience of that, create to be able to create that experience for other people. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:56.980 Yeah. 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:59.240 And you bring up a really good point there, Sharon. 00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:05.460 It just struck me talking about the miracles that are are happening all the time, the action of God. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:05.960 Right? 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:06.840 Mhmm. 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:14.335 I was just thinking of, the book of Revelation chapter one when it says the voice of the lord is like the voice of many waters. 00:18:15.035 --> 00:18:18.655 And it's such an interesting image because water is constant. 00:18:18.715 --> 00:18:25.995 You know, you're ever you know, the ocean or a brook or a stream or a river, the flow the sound is constant, the voice of the waters. 00:18:25.995 --> 00:18:28.390 And yet it's it's usually pretty gentle. 00:18:29.090 --> 00:18:29.330 Mhmm. 00:18:29.330 --> 00:18:35.490 And, you know, Satan is the one who's loud because he's afraid in the end. 00:18:35.490 --> 00:18:39.970 I mean, knows that compared to God, he's infinitely weak, and so he's loud. 00:18:39.970 --> 00:18:45.755 And he has to he has to constantly present these partial victories as total victories. 00:18:46.135 --> 00:18:47.415 You see it in the news every day. 00:18:47.415 --> 00:18:47.655 Right? 00:18:47.655 --> 00:18:49.915 I mean, the news is just mostly bad news. 00:18:50.535 --> 00:18:51.735 And that's Satan's narrative. 00:18:51.735 --> 00:18:52.055 Right? 00:18:52.055 --> 00:18:53.035 Like, I've won. 00:18:53.730 --> 00:18:54.610 This is mine. 00:18:54.610 --> 00:18:59.990 All these all that you see here, like he says to Jesus and the temptation, all the world is mine. 00:19:00.210 --> 00:19:01.430 Of course, it's not true. 00:19:01.490 --> 00:19:02.850 But God's so powerful. 00:19:02.850 --> 00:19:05.350 He doesn't have to shout, and he doesn't shout, actually. 00:19:06.115 --> 00:19:14.915 He normally just speaks in that soft, still voice like Elijah in, first Kings 19 where Elijah hears the voice. 00:19:14.915 --> 00:19:15.235 Yeah. 00:19:15.235 --> 00:19:27.340 And so a spiritual director is able to be present with someone to help them in different ways as they become aware of that Yes. 00:19:27.540 --> 00:19:30.040 That voice, yeah, and respond to that. 00:19:31.115 --> 00:19:31.615 Yeah. 00:19:33.035 --> 00:19:33.355 Yeah. 00:19:33.355 --> 00:19:44.895 Another question that just came up that perhaps some of our listeners might have is, could you say a little bit about, being a layperson and a spiritual director? 00:19:46.480 --> 00:20:01.935 Because, you know, the for a long time, and we won't get into the reasons why, but in the tradition of the church, especially after the Council of Trent for the last four or five hundred years, generally, spiritual directors were considered to be priests or religious. 00:20:02.555 --> 00:20:02.955 Mhmm. 00:20:03.115 --> 00:20:12.235 And yet we know as pope John Paul the second, pope Benedict, pope France now reaffirmed that for much of Christianity, it was actually open. 00:20:12.235 --> 00:20:17.040 It was a charism, a gift given to laypeople and to priests and to religious. 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:22.880 So I was wondering if you could say a bit more about that as a layperson and what what that was like. 00:20:24.300 --> 00:20:44.900 I would definitely say that while the training of priests and religious with all the theology and the formation that they have definitely gives a groundedness, a a lived experience where their whole life is dedicated to the service of God. 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:51.780 The population in the church, the greatest population is laity. 00:20:52.815 --> 00:21:24.345 And I know that I always marvel at those who have not vowed through either to a a religious community or to the bishop that individuals in the church, Christians, have this commitment in in fostering, reading, developing their their lived relatedness to the Lord. 00:21:25.045 --> 00:21:40.380 And sometimes, I think, you know, while it is built in for priests and religious to have their prayer time and their structure, I mean, I still know that they have their ministries and their activities that have to get in there. 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:47.740 But as far as, knowledge of their schedule, it's kind of built into their daily schedule. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:22:01.415 Whereas the laity really have to make the concentrated effort to schedule their prayer life, whether it's getting up early to to do that quiet meditation or coffee with the Lord or or whatever it might be. 00:22:01.875 --> 00:22:20.180 And, I do believe that part of the calling of the laity is a life of flexibility, that if you if you are married, you have the commitment to your your spouse or for the care of your children. 00:22:21.035 --> 00:22:34.655 And while we can find God in any of those, and we need to find God in in all events of life, we still need those designated times of prayer. 00:22:35.090 --> 00:22:50.805 So while I can find God in a sunset or whatever when I'm driving, I still need to set aside those times where I listen to the word of God in scripture or whether it be on a retreat, whatever. 00:22:51.025 --> 00:23:09.330 And so, there's definitely each vocation in the church has its blessings and also its challenges to develop that and deepen that that individual life with the Lord. 00:23:10.590 --> 00:23:11.070 Yes. 00:23:11.070 --> 00:23:11.390 Yeah. 00:23:11.390 --> 00:23:14.030 We're all called to that union with the Lord. 00:23:14.030 --> 00:23:14.530 Mhmm. 00:23:14.785 --> 00:23:15.025 Yeah. 00:23:15.025 --> 00:23:19.765 And spiritual direction is what's called in the church a charism. 00:23:20.945 --> 00:23:30.485 Traditionally, theology has seen that as a as they say in Latin, a grace that's given for the sake of others. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.660 Yes. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:39.560 And scripture direction is one of those graces that God can give to and does give to priest, religious, laity. 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:46.220 It's it's kind of a a universal in that sense that there's some from each state of life that he calls to that ministry. 00:23:46.895 --> 00:23:47.055 Mhmm. 00:23:47.055 --> 00:23:47.375 Right? 00:23:47.375 --> 00:23:56.575 Which is actually reflecting back on what you said, how we're all called to holiness, and God gives us different people in our lives to help us in that journey, communion with him. 00:23:56.575 --> 00:23:58.915 And one of those is a spiritual director. 00:23:59.375 --> 00:23:59.875 Yes. 00:24:00.510 --> 00:24:01.010 Yeah. 00:24:01.230 --> 00:24:12.130 I was wondering if you could say a little bit too along those lines about what what has being a spiritual director now what has that brought into your own relationship with the Lord? 00:24:16.445 --> 00:24:18.845 If I had to say it in one word, it's great joy. 00:24:18.845 --> 00:24:20.785 Well, that's really two words, but joy. 00:24:22.685 --> 00:24:47.045 I know that walking with individuals with the directees that I have, I I walk away with not only the beauty of their soul and what they have shared, the beauty of how they integrate the challenges and struggles of their their daily life and finding God in all of that. 00:24:47.045 --> 00:25:00.460 And I think I'm I'm awestruck with the individuals that I've worked with and how each person uniquely finds God in their set of circumstances. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:17.955 And not having been married and not been called to the married state, the directees who are married enhance my life from a vocation that I wasn't given. 00:25:18.975 --> 00:25:38.075 And being able to walk with individuals and in their struggle to maintain their fidelity to their spouse and and challenges with their children or whatever it might be that they share and how they find the way to bring God in the midst of those things. 00:25:38.855 --> 00:25:51.355 That the beauty of seeing the ebb and flow in the spiritual direction session, an individual can come in and be talking about all the events and circumstances going on. 00:25:52.430 --> 00:25:58.750 And then to provide that silence and the questioning to bring them to a deeper level. 00:25:58.750 --> 00:26:15.555 What is all all the surface, emotions or, you know, whatever it is that's going on, the details, to let them the time and space to let the waters come to find what's really going on, the bigger picture. 00:26:15.555 --> 00:26:25.750 And that is where the wonder and amazement comes to see the ebb and flow, the highs and lows within any one spiritual direction session. 00:26:25.970 --> 00:26:38.265 And it's just so joyful to see, even in the midst of the struggles, the beauty of what god is doing in a person's life. 00:26:39.605 --> 00:26:40.085 Yeah. 00:26:40.085 --> 00:26:42.105 That sounds like that brings you a lot of joy. 00:26:42.325 --> 00:26:42.825 Mhmm. 00:26:43.605 --> 00:26:43.765 Yeah. 00:26:43.765 --> 00:26:58.140 I think it was Saint John of the Cross who said, every time that he accompanied somebody as a spiritual director in spiritual direction, that it opened new windows to God in his own soul. 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.120 Yeah. 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:02.540 And it sounds like that's your experience as well. 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.580 Yes. 00:27:04.555 --> 00:27:08.095 We're all unique and unrepeatable life journeys. 00:27:08.635 --> 00:27:11.215 We can have similar similar situations. 00:27:11.675 --> 00:27:28.140 But as we learn in the program, we all have our own family of origin and and the blessings or the struggles and how that forms us and what we do with the circumstances of life. 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:43.195 And it you can have two people experience the exact same event, and it's not gonna have the same impact because they're not the same people. 00:27:43.610 --> 00:27:44.010 Right. 00:27:44.010 --> 00:27:46.110 Their experiences aren't the same. 00:27:46.730 --> 00:27:47.230 Yeah. 00:27:47.770 --> 00:27:48.250 So true. 00:27:48.250 --> 00:27:49.310 Everyone is unique. 00:27:51.450 --> 00:27:51.770 Okay. 00:27:51.770 --> 00:27:56.030 Well, a little bit of a a tougher question maybe, but I think it's also important. 00:27:56.410 --> 00:27:56.810 Mhmm. 00:27:56.810 --> 00:28:00.385 What was most difficult about the program for you? 00:28:05.325 --> 00:28:05.825 Myself. 00:28:06.765 --> 00:28:09.425 I think, you know, we get in our way. 00:28:10.125 --> 00:28:16.600 We we can put we can be the stumble block stumbling block for our own spiritual growth. 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:28.760 And I think some of the challenges with with that is, letting go of preconceived ideas of what spiritual direction was or is. 00:28:31.295 --> 00:28:37.955 While I've had many spiritual directors in my life, I'm privileged to have had the same one now. 00:28:38.095 --> 00:28:43.350 She's the abbot of a Port Claire monastery, and I've I've been with her for over twenty years. 00:28:43.430 --> 00:28:46.410 And so she knows me in and and through. 00:28:49.510 --> 00:28:58.410 And I think while each spiritual director I've had, the approach has basically been the same, but there's different takes in whatever their formation was in being a spiritual director. 00:29:04.605 --> 00:29:07.325 It really was a lot of letting go. 00:29:07.325 --> 00:29:14.305 Letting go that spiritual direction is I have to be so well trained that I have the answers for the directee, which is just the opposite. 00:29:14.610 --> 00:29:16.790 I don't have any answers for the directee. 00:29:18.130 --> 00:29:29.270 I mean, I can gently guide or or ask the right questions that may lead a directee to a greater understanding for themselves, you know, by giving that opportunity. 00:29:31.405 --> 00:29:54.390 One thing that I did notice in the process that initially was a challenge, but it was a very great opportunity for growth was if I was directing someone and they got emotional and the tears and wanting to fix it, wanting the person not to cry or whatever. 00:29:54.850 --> 00:29:56.370 And I had to reflect with that a lot. 00:29:56.370 --> 00:29:59.255 And so the challenge was, what is that all about? 00:29:59.475 --> 00:30:02.695 You know, was it an idea in my mind that you're weak if you cry? 00:30:02.995 --> 00:30:11.015 What were those, like, mantras that I was telling myself positively or negatively? 00:30:11.155 --> 00:30:12.935 And so the challenge is there. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.020 Challenges aren't always bad. 00:30:17.280 --> 00:30:20.000 They can lead us to a deeper level, and they really did. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:22.420 It was a matter of saying, okay. 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:33.295 You know, I can sit here with this person who's crying for whatever reason, whether tears of joy or sorrow or pain, and I don't have to push them along. 00:30:33.295 --> 00:30:35.155 I can just sit with them in it. 00:30:36.175 --> 00:30:46.490 And I think that was where the rethinking of what a spiritual director is, what are the qualities, what is a directee looking for from a spiritual director? 00:30:47.190 --> 00:30:51.450 Basically, I think we all just want to be heard, you know, and validated. 00:30:51.670 --> 00:30:55.005 And the program does allow for that. 00:30:55.165 --> 00:30:59.185 How do I validate a person in their experience? 00:31:01.245 --> 00:31:09.060 By just, you know, some of the listening skills of that sounds really hard for you, or that seems like that really brought you joy. 00:31:09.060 --> 00:31:13.540 And I was even noticing you doing that with me in this process. 00:31:13.540 --> 00:31:20.120 It almost the program changes us in such a way that we become the very things that we're learning. 00:31:21.535 --> 00:31:22.735 That's really well said. 00:31:22.735 --> 00:31:24.995 We become the very things that we're learning. 00:31:27.215 --> 00:31:27.715 Yeah. 00:31:28.495 --> 00:31:28.815 Yeah. 00:31:28.815 --> 00:31:34.750 It sounds like that would it be fair to say that's that's freeing too as a spiritual director? 00:31:34.750 --> 00:31:36.510 You said you don't have to have all the answers. 00:31:36.510 --> 00:31:38.450 You're not here to solve everything. 00:31:38.910 --> 00:31:39.410 Exactly. 00:31:39.550 --> 00:31:40.370 What Yeah. 00:31:40.670 --> 00:31:41.630 So much. 00:31:41.630 --> 00:31:49.645 I one of the the great takeaways was how much happened in the silence. 00:31:52.825 --> 00:32:12.700 Not having to say anything, but to give the directee and the program allowing me to have the time to reflect what's going on with me and anticipating or, conjuring what might be going in the directory. 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:15.980 You know, does that make you how does that make you feel? 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:18.825 Or what is where are you feeling that? 00:32:18.825 --> 00:32:24.765 Or is there an image that you can identify and with that with that feeling? 00:32:25.385 --> 00:32:36.410 And so while the challenges were hard, I remember at one point in the program, I mean, I was almost completely finished, and it could have been the res the the 500 residency. 00:32:36.870 --> 00:32:42.010 I was ready to quit the program, and I know that that was the evil one. 00:32:42.310 --> 00:33:00.495 And I think it was an acknowledgment of the sacredness of what I was quickly approaching, being in that graduate alum to be able to to have a certificate to say that I've been trained to be a spiritual director. 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:06.220 My own perfectionistic ways of I want to do it right. 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:13.500 And the freedom, like you said, Father, came when I realized spiritual direction is not about me. 00:33:14.765 --> 00:33:16.545 It's all about God and the directee. 00:33:19.485 --> 00:33:21.345 And I didn't have to work as hard. 00:33:21.405 --> 00:33:29.025 And the freedom came when I can just sit and receive the person who walks through the door. 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:33.240 Yeah. 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:38.300 That glorious freedom of the children of God that Saint Paul talks about in Romans. 00:33:38.520 --> 00:33:39.000 Yeah. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.500 Yes. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:41.340 And you mentioned the residency. 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:56.305 So I was wondering if you could just speak a bit about that because, although the program is primarily online, there are two four day in person residencies the students come to right here at Divine Mercy in Sterling, Virginia. 00:33:56.605 --> 00:33:59.905 So could you just say a word or two about your experience at those residencies? 00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:10.280 I had the opportunity to do one in person and one virtual because of the resurgence of COVID. 00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:21.065 Obviously, in person, while you can have Zoom meetings and even what we're doing now, it's not the same of being in person with someone. 00:34:22.245 --> 00:34:28.105 They both provided, obviously, what God knew I needed at that time in the program. 00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:41.300 I'm glad that I had the one on one in, in the program by a live residency, getting to, in real time, meet my classmates. 00:34:42.915 --> 00:34:48.775 I know that one person was asking about, you know, do you end up being with the same students? 00:34:48.915 --> 00:34:55.015 Because sometimes a a person can't keep on the program and go straight through six classes. 00:34:55.155 --> 00:34:59.750 They might have a family situation, and then if that postpones it. 00:35:00.050 --> 00:35:05.490 So what is exciting is our paths do cross with the ones we start with. 00:35:05.490 --> 00:35:08.630 And then as alum, we're always connected, which is wonderful. 00:35:09.010 --> 00:35:27.840 But the residencies definitely provided when we were in person, you got you had the opportunity when we weren't in session to get to know individuals on a on a deeper personal level, what they're involved in, those kinds of things. 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:31.840 So those downtimes in between the residency. 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:41.695 The online was the structure, but still lent itself even though we weren't in person with individuals. 00:35:41.755 --> 00:35:46.555 And for me, it was the second second residency that wasn't in person. 00:35:46.555 --> 00:35:52.050 And so I had already been working with the students, my classmates, up until that point. 00:35:52.050 --> 00:35:54.550 And so I think that made a difference as well. 00:35:55.490 --> 00:36:25.820 I think having the immediate feedback, being able to see the modeling that was in both online and in person, where the instructors of the program or the team that was during the residency would be able to intervene in the middle of a practicum of acting as a director and a directee, and then have them be able to stop and say, This would be a good time to ask a question. 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:35.545 So, residencies were truly intense, challenging, fruitful, and life giving. 00:36:38.485 --> 00:36:46.230 Well, maybe, just before we move to the brief slideshow overview, maybe any last thoughts, Sharon? 00:36:46.850 --> 00:36:55.570 Any anything you'd say to somebody who's listening now who's maybe thinking, perhaps I'm called to be a spiritual director. 00:36:55.570 --> 00:36:57.830 I'd like to learn more about this. 00:36:57.890 --> 00:37:01.110 Perhaps I'd like to think more about this. 00:37:02.025 --> 00:37:07.325 I would definitely say take the leap and do it. 00:37:07.865 --> 00:37:25.510 Because if there's that thought that you might be called, even if you discern not to do it, the benefits of going through the six classes will nurture your life in ways that you can take into whatever ministry or work you are called in the church. 00:37:26.130 --> 00:37:35.005 So the the personal benefits of the program Lead an individual to get their questions answered, to deepen their prayer life. 00:37:35.785 --> 00:37:41.965 And if that discernment leads them to say, yes, I wanna take on directees, fantastic. 00:37:42.520 --> 00:37:50.680 And even if they finish the program and discern not to be a spiritual director, it will not be in vain. 00:37:50.680 --> 00:37:56.860 They will have grown as an individual in the process and still be a better person because of it. 00:37:58.695 --> 00:37:59.095 Alright. 00:37:59.095 --> 00:37:59.895 Well, thank you. 00:37:59.895 --> 00:38:01.815 So I'll share my screen. 00:38:01.815 --> 00:38:05.575 I'll have a really brief overview, and then, we'll get some of the questions. 00:38:05.575 --> 00:38:10.075 And so, Sharon, you and I can answer some of those questions after we do this as well. 00:38:10.160 --> 00:38:12.720 Probably a lot of this is already pretty well known. 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:15.120 It might be review, but it's always good to go back. 00:38:15.120 --> 00:38:17.680 And as we say that repetition is the mother of learning. 00:38:17.680 --> 00:38:20.900 So why is spiritual direction such an important ministry? 00:38:21.680 --> 00:38:25.865 As Sharon said very wonderfully, we all want to be heard. 00:38:25.865 --> 00:38:27.465 This is kind of at a basic level. 00:38:27.465 --> 00:38:29.865 We all desperately want to be heard. 00:38:29.865 --> 00:38:32.445 We need to be heard by another person. 00:38:33.065 --> 00:38:56.385 And yet there are very few places in life, very few spaces, we could say, where someone's just really deeply, deeply, deeply listening to us without any agenda, without trying to problem solve or fix anything, but just to listen, just to receive, as Sharon put it very well, what what I have on my heart to share. 00:38:56.845 --> 00:38:58.225 God made us that way. 00:38:58.765 --> 00:39:02.460 We're created in the image and likeness of God, Genesis one twenty six. 00:39:02.540 --> 00:39:08.460 So we're created out of communion, out of love, and for love, for communion with God and with others. 00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:11.900 You could think about what God says about the human person. 00:39:11.900 --> 00:39:14.400 It's not good for the human person to be alone. 00:39:15.465 --> 00:39:19.405 So we're created for this for this relationship at a human level. 00:39:20.585 --> 00:39:28.685 And then as well, building on that, accompanying our sisters and brothers in the faith to help strengthen their faith, hope, and love. 00:39:29.320 --> 00:39:44.380 That as I share what's on my heart with a spiritual director, someone who's reverently listening to me and receiving what I'm saying, that person's modeling God's love for me. 00:39:45.575 --> 00:39:51.175 Their faith, hope, and love is also inspiring me in my own faith, hope, and love. 00:39:51.175 --> 00:39:53.115 So there's something very beautiful that happens. 00:39:53.495 --> 00:40:09.170 Then building on that, guiding another to find the lord in every situation in life through the questions that we ask, through the way that we help a spiritual directee just to explore what is god doing in my life. 00:40:10.190 --> 00:40:11.710 How is he speaking to me? 00:40:11.710 --> 00:40:12.690 What's he saying? 00:40:12.985 --> 00:40:15.165 And how is he inviting me to respond? 00:40:16.105 --> 00:40:19.465 So how is God making his love manifest for me in my life? 00:40:19.465 --> 00:40:23.245 How is he speaking to me, and how is he inviting me to respond in love? 00:40:23.705 --> 00:40:26.505 So very beautiful the way that all of these are present. 00:40:26.505 --> 00:40:28.730 We're always deeply listening in spiritual direction. 00:40:28.730 --> 00:40:42.590 We're always accompanying, and we're also helping guide another to discover what the lord is doing, how the lord is speaking, what he's saying, and how he's inviting that person, calling that person to respond. 00:40:46.835 --> 00:40:53.955 And then giving spiritual direction as a help also for the direct door to grow in his or her relationship with God. 00:40:53.955 --> 00:41:03.810 I think Sharon, described that very wonderfully, how the Saint John of the Cross and when we give spiritual direction, we're also growing in our relationship with the Lord. 00:41:03.810 --> 00:41:08.630 We're discovering the presence of the Lord more deeply in our own lives. 00:41:10.050 --> 00:41:10.530 Okay. 00:41:10.530 --> 00:41:13.030 So let's get a little bit more practical here. 00:41:14.225 --> 00:41:18.645 So what to expect in the divine mercy spiritual direction course? 00:41:19.665 --> 00:41:21.925 So it's an online platform. 00:41:22.545 --> 00:41:31.520 As Sharon said, there are two in person residencies here in Divine Mercy University for four days each, but other than that, it's online. 00:41:32.540 --> 00:41:37.280 At the same time, and this is probably important to know, it's asynchronous. 00:41:38.220 --> 00:41:47.495 So it's not that the professor will say, you know, at 9AM this morning, I'm giving a lecture, and everybody has to call into Zoom to listen to the lecture. 00:41:48.515 --> 00:41:51.735 So the different videos are prerecorded. 00:41:52.195 --> 00:41:54.115 The reading is already up there. 00:41:54.115 --> 00:42:01.260 So there are assignments that are due each week, but each person can proceed at his or her pace, if that makes sense. 00:42:01.260 --> 00:42:06.000 That it's not that you all have to be together for classes. 00:42:06.620 --> 00:42:16.195 Now there are some activities, particularly in the 400, 500, and 600, where we're practicing spiritual direction via Zoom. 00:42:16.195 --> 00:42:19.155 And, obviously, there, you know, people are together in those groups. 00:42:19.155 --> 00:42:22.375 But even there, it's not the whole class together at the same time. 00:42:22.835 --> 00:42:27.975 It would be small groups from that class who are meeting at the same time. 00:42:28.580 --> 00:42:29.720 There are six courses. 00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:34.200 Each course is eight weeks long. 00:42:34.900 --> 00:42:37.240 There are two residencies, as I mentioned. 00:42:37.780 --> 00:42:40.500 And then there are 60 practicum hours. 00:42:40.500 --> 00:42:43.695 So practicum is just Latin for, basically, practice. 00:42:44.635 --> 00:43:30.190 And so towards the end of the program in, the five hundred and six hundred courses, which are the last two of those six courses, There is requirement to have sixty hours of a combination of spiritual direction with real direct fees and then also some time for what's called supervision, which is an opportunity for the, student directors who are learning to be spiritual directors to review their own experience of spiritual direction with an instructor and with a group of their peers. 00:43:30.730 --> 00:43:34.330 And all of this is explained very, very extensively throughout the course. 00:43:34.330 --> 00:43:37.975 I know it's probably it probably sounds like well, it sounds like Latin now. 00:43:37.975 --> 00:43:38.055 Right? 00:43:38.055 --> 00:43:39.015 What is practicum? 00:43:39.015 --> 00:43:39.815 What does that mean? 00:43:39.815 --> 00:43:45.115 But, basically, it's sixty hours of of supervised spiritual direction. 00:43:45.175 --> 00:44:03.510 And supervised doesn't mean that there's somebody sitting in on the spiritual direction sessions, but it means that I, as a student director, will have a chance to download after and process in a group with an instructor of what my experience of that spiritual direction session was like. 00:44:04.610 --> 00:44:05.010 Okay. 00:44:05.010 --> 00:44:09.025 The residencies, two four day residencies on campus. 00:44:09.645 --> 00:44:17.425 So you get the chance to come here, come to the campus, see the different programs that are here, meet people in person. 00:44:18.365 --> 00:44:25.180 There's also the chance to put into practice the skills that you're learning under the supervision of spiritual directors and therapists. 00:44:25.180 --> 00:44:32.880 So we always have a team of facilitators here, and there's a lot of practice role play spiritual direction, which is so valuable. 00:44:33.260 --> 00:44:35.285 It's incredibly valuable. 00:44:35.285 --> 00:44:47.625 In my own training as a spiritual director, that was one of the most helpful elements just to be able to to practice and then to receive feedback on what seemed to work, what didn't seem to work. 00:44:48.870 --> 00:44:52.630 So residency one is in the third class. 00:44:52.630 --> 00:44:55.770 The third term residency two is in the fifth class. 00:44:57.590 --> 00:44:58.090 Okay. 00:44:58.390 --> 00:44:58.890 Costs. 00:44:59.510 --> 00:45:07.595 So $800 a course, and then $1,100 per residency. 00:45:07.655 --> 00:45:17.950 And that covers lodging, materials, most of the meals is that students are responsible for three of their dinners on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 00:45:19.370 --> 00:45:24.350 It does not cover the cost of the flight, obviously, or the transportation here. 00:45:24.890 --> 00:45:27.710 And then at the bottom, it says practicum. 00:45:28.250 --> 00:45:30.910 So another practicum here. 00:45:31.945 --> 00:45:40.605 This is just the cost of the, supervision, and this is all explained extensively in the course. 00:45:40.905 --> 00:45:46.445 So there are two types of practicum that you could do in the last two courses. 00:45:47.200 --> 00:45:53.040 One of them is where you find your own supervisor, and that's $50 and then a $100 per term. 00:45:53.040 --> 00:45:56.800 So it's just to kind of give you a sense of of what you're looking at. 00:45:56.800 --> 00:46:18.000 800 per course, six courses, 1,100 per residency, two residencies, you know, plus transportation, and then either a $100 or $200 depending on the option that you choose for this practicum. 00:46:18.380 --> 00:46:18.880 Okay. 00:46:20.460 --> 00:46:26.220 So how to apply for those who would like to apply, those who feel they might be called to this. 00:46:26.220 --> 00:46:28.640 So there's a short application form. 00:46:29.055 --> 00:46:48.450 There is a requirement for three recommendations from one's own spiritual director or spiritual mentor, pastor of one's parish or one's superior if one's in a religious order, or apostolate leader or ministry leader as well if you're involved in some ministry. 00:46:48.450 --> 00:46:50.010 It could be any one of those three. 00:46:50.010 --> 00:46:55.550 It doesn't have to be all three of those, but a pastor or a superior or an apostolate ministry leader. 00:46:55.850 --> 00:46:59.870 And then just a friend or a colleague or a fellow parishioner. 00:47:01.185 --> 00:47:04.245 And then there's a group interview as well. 00:47:05.505 --> 00:47:12.305 Now this gentleman here, Greg Shapiro, is our admissions adviser. 00:47:12.305 --> 00:47:22.200 He's the one who can answer all your practical questions, everything you wanna know about the nuts and bolts and ins and outs, and he's very quick, with email. 00:47:22.200 --> 00:47:27.020 This is his email here, gchapero@divinemercy.edu. 00:47:27.560 --> 00:47:31.175 And then, phone number is here as well. 00:47:31.175 --> 00:47:33.995 And it it says he accepts calls and text messages. 00:47:36.135 --> 00:47:38.875 That is helpful as well. 00:47:39.175 --> 00:47:45.035 So, again, Greg Shapiro, his email, and then his phone number. 00:47:47.810 --> 00:47:48.310 Okay. 00:47:49.650 --> 00:47:51.910 So I'm going to stop sharing here. 00:47:52.930 --> 00:47:54.450 Sounds pretty selfish, doesn't it? 00:47:54.450 --> 00:47:56.550 But we're gonna do it. 00:47:57.410 --> 00:47:57.910 Alright. 00:47:58.050 --> 00:48:04.685 So stop sharing, and we will go back to some of these questions here. 00:48:06.025 --> 00:48:06.525 Okay. 00:48:06.585 --> 00:48:14.120 So there's one I'm wondering if I have to retake, general ed classes, or is this certificate class? 00:48:14.120 --> 00:48:14.360 Yeah. 00:48:14.360 --> 00:48:15.980 This is a certificate class. 00:48:17.160 --> 00:48:27.500 So, there are not academic prerequisites for it per se, but each of the classes in this program are very important. 00:48:27.640 --> 00:48:37.455 So there's no, yeah, there's no opportunity to to opt out or place out of them because each one is so integral to the program itself, each of those six courses. 00:48:38.315 --> 00:48:39.275 Then there's a question. 00:48:39.275 --> 00:48:43.820 In your experience, do you find that peoples are seeking spiritual direction pretty regularly? 00:48:43.880 --> 00:48:48.780 Have you encountered people who seem intimidated by what spiritual direction could mean? 00:48:49.240 --> 00:48:54.460 It may seem to them that they may need to already be holy in order to have a spiritual director. 00:48:55.080 --> 00:48:57.615 Maybe, Sharon, I'll let you answer that one. 00:48:58.655 --> 00:49:05.315 I would say people that want spiritual direction want it on a regular basis. 00:49:06.095 --> 00:49:14.810 In the program, we're everything is guided in the program, but you could you start with walking with individuals as prayer partners. 00:49:15.990 --> 00:49:23.670 I did that, and then when I from that from those prayer partners, I asked them if they wanted to continue with spiritual direction, and they all did. 00:49:23.670 --> 00:49:25.850 And I'm still meeting with all of them. 00:49:26.505 --> 00:49:34.525 And, initially, I was meeting with them to get to know them because they were all brand new for me every two weeks. 00:49:35.065 --> 00:49:37.965 So it gave me a lot of continuity with them. 00:49:38.670 --> 00:49:42.530 But now I meet once a month and according to their needs. 00:49:43.550 --> 00:49:54.525 I think the people that have sought out spiritual direction from me, they all have already had a a developed, prayer life. 00:49:54.905 --> 00:49:59.245 The individuals that I'm working with right now, that won't always be the case, I realize. 00:50:00.185 --> 00:50:16.720 I think all of us think, you know, that idea of holiness or or whatever, but that's where, the intimidation, anyone who would seek me out, I was able to say, let's have an initial meeting to find out what you're understanding. 00:50:16.780 --> 00:50:24.765 And I've also something that the program gives, some suggestions on, some basic questions to kinda get to know them. 00:50:25.225 --> 00:50:26.585 You know, basic information. 00:50:26.585 --> 00:50:29.245 Are they married, have children, whatever? 00:50:29.625 --> 00:50:35.810 And then, something about their prayer life or what they seek in spiritual direction. 00:50:35.810 --> 00:50:51.565 So you're really laying the groundwork, and that is something that would would eventually come up if there's that reluctance or feeling of not being holy enough to be in spiritual direction. 00:50:52.025 --> 00:50:56.425 And I'd be the first one to say that none of us are holy enough. 00:50:56.425 --> 00:50:57.165 We're striving. 00:50:57.305 --> 00:50:58.525 We're all here striving. 00:50:58.665 --> 00:51:05.340 And so I think more and more people are realizing the need to have someone to talk to spiritually. 00:51:06.200 --> 00:51:09.820 And I also think with this, we never really got into it. 00:51:10.360 --> 00:51:16.655 Knowing what spiritual direction is not often helps us to define what it is. 00:51:16.655 --> 00:51:18.255 So we know it's not therapy. 00:51:18.255 --> 00:51:19.555 We know it's not counseling. 00:51:20.095 --> 00:51:33.250 There are trained helping professions, and even one of the charts that I found extremely helpful in the program was defining what each of those helping professions were for. 00:51:34.030 --> 00:51:43.490 And knowing that if someone comes to me, they may need counseling and to be able to say, this isn't in my realm. 00:51:44.175 --> 00:51:44.735 You know? 00:51:44.735 --> 00:51:49.055 You might, you know, want to look and seek out. 00:51:49.055 --> 00:52:08.360 And I think there too, Divine Mercy University is a great place for resources to find well trained Catholic therapists or Christian therapists because that's another thing that to have the resources above and beyond spiritual direction where we can refer people to is really helpful. 00:52:10.625 --> 00:52:11.365 Thank you. 00:52:11.505 --> 00:52:17.765 There's another question earlier there about, the size of the classes. 00:52:18.145 --> 00:52:19.765 So how big are the classes? 00:52:21.025 --> 00:52:24.965 And it's an interesting question because it's very flexible since it's an online platform. 00:52:25.560 --> 00:52:33.420 I mean, I think the smallest that we've had is maybe 11 or 12 students, and then we've had up to 35, I think. 00:52:33.960 --> 00:52:35.900 So it's it's quite flexible. 00:52:35.960 --> 00:52:45.075 So I really couldn't give a standard answer for that because it really just depends on how many people sign up for that particular cohort, as they call it, that particular group. 00:52:46.255 --> 00:52:55.000 The nice thing about that too, father, like you said, I was in one of those that had 35, but they will have two instructors and split students. 00:52:55.000 --> 00:52:57.020 So you might have 10 to 15. 00:52:57.560 --> 00:53:02.300 And so those are the ones who might be responding to your online assignments. 00:53:03.925 --> 00:53:18.190 And then, like, the residency could be a mishmash of those two particular classes that you say, oh, I do I was never in a class with you, but they're on the same they're in the same class overall type of thing in the program. 00:53:18.190 --> 00:53:18.510 Yeah. 00:53:18.510 --> 00:53:28.790 And then as you mentioned, Sharon, as well, occasionally or fairly frequently, students might have to take a leave of absence just for different and that's also possible as well Right. 00:53:29.070 --> 00:53:29.550 To do that. 00:53:29.550 --> 00:53:41.335 So to miss, you know, miss a a course there and do that course later in the next, the next semester when it's next offered because the courses are offered fairly frequently throughout the year. 00:53:41.475 --> 00:53:49.230 It's August to October, and then it begins again in January, January to March, and then May to July. 00:53:50.090 --> 00:53:51.610 And so there's an opportunity. 00:53:51.610 --> 00:53:51.850 Okay. 00:53:51.850 --> 00:53:54.650 Well, maybe I missed, you know, let's say, the fifth course. 00:53:54.650 --> 00:54:03.025 I missed it in August to October, but I could do it then in January or then in May Mhmm. 00:54:03.425 --> 00:54:06.085 While we're still respecting the order of the courses. 00:54:06.785 --> 00:54:11.525 And there was a question too about what if I understood correctly, will this be available afterwards? 00:54:11.585 --> 00:54:11.905 Yes. 00:54:11.905 --> 00:54:13.205 They're recording this. 00:54:14.100 --> 00:54:17.080 So I don't see any more questions in here in the chat. 00:54:18.980 --> 00:54:21.060 Thank you very much once again, Sharon. 00:54:21.060 --> 00:54:22.100 Thanks for Sure. 00:54:22.260 --> 00:54:26.120 For your time and for, for sharing your experience here. 00:54:26.705 --> 00:54:29.445 And thank you to all of those who participated virtually. 00:54:30.065 --> 00:54:32.305 And prayers for those who are taking classes? 00:54:32.305 --> 00:54:33.525 Or Yes. 00:54:34.065 --> 00:54:37.125 If you need to take that leap, go for it. 00:54:37.505 --> 00:54:37.985 Yes. 00:54:37.985 --> 00:54:40.885 And let's end with a prayer and a quick blessing here. 00:54:40.920 --> 00:54:43.900 In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. 00:54:44.040 --> 00:54:44.540 Amen. 00:54:45.320 --> 00:54:49.340 All glory be to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit. 00:54:50.840 --> 00:54:55.435 As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. 00:54:55.435 --> 00:54:55.935 Amen. 00:54:55.995 --> 00:54:56.315 Thank you. 00:54:56.315 --> 00:54:58.415 And may the lord bless you and keep you. 00:54:58.875 --> 00:55:02.015 May he let his face shine upon you and be with you. 00:55:02.475 --> 00:55:05.375 May he be gracious to you and give you peace. 00:55:05.675 --> 00:55:14.200 And may the blessing of almighty god, the father and the son and the holy spirit descend upon you and remain with you forever. 00:55:15.300 --> 00:55:15.800 Amen. 00:55:16.500 --> 00:55:16.980 Alright. 00:55:16.980 --> 00:55:18.120 God bless you all. 00:55:18.740 --> 00:55:19.140 Thank you. 00:55:19.140 --> 00:55:20.040 Thank you, father. 00:55:20.180 --> 00:55:21.060 God bless you. 00:55:21.060 --> 00:55:21.800 Good night. 00:55:21.940 --> 00:55:22.440 Bye.