WEBVTT 00:00:03.280 --> 00:00:09.060 Welcome everybody to the spiritual direction certificate presentation. 00:00:09.440 --> 00:00:10.560 My name is Greg Shapiro. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:28.910 I'm the admissions advisor here at Divine Mercy University, and, I've been working within, this realm of academia for a little while now, for about six years, but within spiritual direction for, only a few months now since early June. 00:00:29.290 --> 00:00:37.930 And with me today are Maria Brackett, the program director, and Deacon Scott, who is an active student with us. 00:00:37.930 --> 00:00:46.595 So I'm gonna go ahead and turn this over to Maria, and, I'll be here as well just to answer any questions related to enrollment. 00:00:48.255 --> 00:00:53.875 Thank you so much, Greg, and good morning to everyone, on this Saturday. 00:00:53.935 --> 00:00:56.080 And we're very happy to be here. 00:00:56.080 --> 00:01:02.420 Happy to have deacon Scott Gilfillan with us this morning, who's a current student in our program. 00:01:03.040 --> 00:01:17.435 And, you know, it's just a great opportunity on the Saturday morning to talk about our program and kind of what we do and and get a give you all a little glimpse into it through the experience of Deacon Scott, as a student. 00:01:18.375 --> 00:01:29.430 So I just wanna, welcome you all, and, you know, I'm the program director here at, the spiritual direction certificate program here at Divine Mercy University. 00:01:30.130 --> 00:01:47.695 And as we go into this interview, I, with Deacon Scott, I just wanted to talk a little bit about the university itself, and what the university kind of the context so that you understand, where this where the certificate program came from. 00:01:48.315 --> 00:01:50.655 Greg, I don't know if you can move to the next slide. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:51.340 Sure. 00:01:52.440 --> 00:01:52.940 Thanks. 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:54.140 Oh, no. 00:01:54.360 --> 00:01:56.860 I'm looking for the one on the university. 00:01:58.280 --> 00:01:58.760 Yes. 00:01:58.760 --> 00:01:59.500 Thank you. 00:02:00.120 --> 00:02:05.640 So, Divine Mercy University, it was founded twenty two years ago. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:21.995 It's a graduate school for the, mental health sciences or, and so it has degrees in psychology, PsyD degree in clinical psychology and an MS degree in counseling. 00:02:22.470 --> 00:02:37.210 And the spiritual direction certificate really was started as kind of starting to enter into the world of certificates, to try to bring kind of the framework that the university uses to the world of ministry and certificates. 00:02:39.885 --> 00:02:45.345 Divine Mercy University is a, you know, a unique university. 00:02:45.565 --> 00:03:05.910 It was founded by a group of Catholics and Christians, in the mental health field that really wanted to integrate faith with this faith with the human sciences and, the whole, you know, the whole understanding that science and faith can work together. 00:03:07.745 --> 00:03:17.745 And so they have created or over these last twenty years, they wrote a book, students and faculty together, which is is now out there and you can buy it. 00:03:17.745 --> 00:03:21.025 It's called the Catholic Christian meta model of the human person. 00:03:21.025 --> 00:03:27.660 It really is an articulation or a rearticulation, Catholic Christian anthropology. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:37.020 And it talks about the application of that type of understanding of the human person to the human sciences. 00:03:38.835 --> 00:03:42.695 And this is really where the spiritual direction certificate program comes in. 00:03:42.995 --> 00:03:57.360 It's taking an understanding of the human person, within the Catholic Christian tradition of theology and integrating them both together as long along with the skills needed to be a spiritual director. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:01.860 So it's a rich program because it's it really stands on those different pillars. 00:04:02.480 --> 00:04:19.675 And it helps the person to not only learn how to be a spiritual director, but also a deeper understanding of what that human person looks like themselves and also the person that they're meeting with in spiritual direction that we call in the program the directee. 00:04:20.730 --> 00:04:36.825 So I just wanted to give you that context of the university before we enter into our conversation today just so that you can understand because, I think some of these different aspects or characteristics of our program of the university will probably come out in our conversation with Deacon Scott. 00:04:38.645 --> 00:04:42.825 So, Deacon, it's great to have you here with us this morning. 00:04:43.205 --> 00:04:44.265 It's really a privilege. 00:04:45.605 --> 00:04:51.960 Greg and I often talk at just about how inspiring it is to have the opportunity to talk to the students of the program. 00:04:52.820 --> 00:05:11.905 So I wanted you, I do have some questions for you this morning, but just to kind of start us off here, just to let the people know, you know, who you are, where you're from, what you do, and maybe just how why you got interested in the in this program. 00:05:13.885 --> 00:05:14.385 Yeah. 00:05:15.485 --> 00:05:19.025 So I'm a a a deacon in the in the diocese of Charlotte. 00:05:19.900 --> 00:05:23.040 I've been ordained for about, twenty years. 00:05:23.580 --> 00:05:25.440 So I've been a deacon for a long time. 00:05:26.940 --> 00:05:33.360 I was, born in in California and and raised in a military family, so I moved all over the country. 00:05:34.125 --> 00:05:38.385 But we settled in the Charlotte area, again, about probably thirty years ago. 00:05:38.525 --> 00:05:40.545 So that's that's where I called home. 00:05:40.925 --> 00:05:47.985 Got three three grown children, and, still married after thirty thirty nine years. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:51.480 So we're doing good. 00:05:53.140 --> 00:06:01.240 I as a as a career, I was, working for a steel company, as a general manager for, for a long time. 00:06:01.305 --> 00:06:09.725 And, about four four years ago, I just felt like I needed to to do something different, you know, a second career. 00:06:10.425 --> 00:06:17.690 And, the way God works, he he opened up this opportunity at the, the Catholic Conference Center. 00:06:17.690 --> 00:06:21.710 It's a conference and retreat center run by the diocese, a fairly good size one. 00:06:22.090 --> 00:06:32.265 And never never saw myself doing that, but, so by a a a few weird coincidences, I ended up being the director of this retreat center, about four years ago. 00:06:32.805 --> 00:06:33.305 Wow. 00:06:33.845 --> 00:06:38.325 So, yeah, so the first year was wonderful, and then the pandemic hit. 00:06:38.325 --> 00:06:45.970 So so I just as I was learning how to run a retreat center in normal operations, it's like, found out, hey. 00:06:46.370 --> 00:06:48.550 There's a there's a whole new world out there. 00:06:49.730 --> 00:06:49.970 Yeah. 00:06:49.970 --> 00:06:57.030 That's definitely challenging for a retreat center, right, to try to see how to create activities or have activities during the pandemic. 00:06:57.545 --> 00:06:58.045 Yeah. 00:06:58.425 --> 00:06:58.925 Mhmm. 00:06:59.225 --> 00:07:27.575 And and that actually what you know, one of the reasons that led me to this program is, so rather than have a an empty retreat center, we've really tried to promote, private retreats, outdoor retreats, individual small group retreats, you know, just try to get some traffic in there, and saw a lot of people that were really hungering for some spiritual connection, spiritual direction. 00:07:28.435 --> 00:07:32.195 And as a deacon, I was offering myself, hey. 00:07:32.195 --> 00:07:34.835 I'll, you know, come come here on a private retreat. 00:07:34.835 --> 00:07:36.755 I'll, you know, spend some time with you. 00:07:36.755 --> 00:07:37.395 We'll pray. 00:07:37.395 --> 00:07:39.495 We'll, you know, maybe I'll set you up with adoration. 00:07:40.140 --> 00:07:56.715 And, it it turned out that, you know, with all the years as a deacon that I have that I I have a lot of experience in, you know, pastoral care and ministerial counseling and that kind of stuff. 00:07:56.715 --> 00:08:05.695 But I realized as I was meeting with these folks that they were wanting to go to a place that I didn't really feel qualified to go. 00:08:06.395 --> 00:08:08.015 So yeah. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:18.900 You know, so we'd enter this this this meeting and and and, you know, like, get to so so so far in the conversation, and then I'm like, I don't know. 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:20.100 Is it your turn to talk? 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:21.220 Is it my turn to talk? 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:22.755 Where where do we go with this? 00:08:22.915 --> 00:08:28.135 And to complicate that, we're we're all wearing masks, so we're looking like this, and I can only see their eyes. 00:08:28.355 --> 00:08:28.755 You know? 00:08:28.755 --> 00:08:29.395 So I don't know. 00:08:29.395 --> 00:08:30.115 They're smiling. 00:08:30.115 --> 00:08:30.935 They're frowning. 00:08:31.235 --> 00:08:32.695 What's what's going on? 00:08:33.075 --> 00:08:35.235 And that was one of the, reasons. 00:08:35.235 --> 00:08:41.550 I said, man, I gotta I gotta add a few more, tools to my tool bag to, to help these folks. 00:08:42.250 --> 00:08:42.570 Yeah. 00:08:42.570 --> 00:08:46.270 To be able to sit with someone and to have those conversations. 00:08:47.130 --> 00:08:53.745 Definitely can understand what that feels like when you feel like, oh, we're starting to get into some waters that I've never navigated before. 00:08:54.205 --> 00:08:54.705 Yeah. 00:08:54.925 --> 00:08:55.425 Yeah. 00:08:55.565 --> 00:09:01.500 And and and, really, you know, again, as a as a a deacon, you know, I I do some prison ministry. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.180 So I know okay. 00:09:03.180 --> 00:09:07.660 Do you you know, when when the guy is getting released, you know, do you have a do you have a card? 00:09:07.660 --> 00:09:09.740 Do you have a a a a job? 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:10.860 Do you have a place to live? 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.560 Do you have, you know Mhmm. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:13.900 Those kind of things. 00:09:13.900 --> 00:09:16.425 Very you play you know, a good support network. 00:09:16.425 --> 00:09:18.105 You know, very practical Mhmm. 00:09:18.265 --> 00:09:21.405 You know, application of of my, ministry. 00:09:22.345 --> 00:09:27.545 But I realized in spiritual direction, oh, that's not where we go. 00:09:27.545 --> 00:09:28.105 You know? 00:09:28.105 --> 00:09:28.345 Yeah. 00:09:28.345 --> 00:09:31.325 We're looking for a a deeper connection with the spirit. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:38.960 And, so that was that was a a kind of an awakening that that really prompted my, application to Divine Mercy University. 00:09:40.300 --> 00:09:40.620 Yeah. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:47.965 So not so much problem solving, more about having a conversation about, like you said, the spirit and where he might be calling the person. 00:09:48.185 --> 00:09:48.665 Yeah. 00:09:48.665 --> 00:09:51.405 So how did you find out about the program, Deacon? 00:09:52.265 --> 00:10:03.610 Well, I had, I mean, really just Google searches, and I knew about a few programs that, that I had looked into, you know, probably about ten years ago. 00:10:03.670 --> 00:10:08.810 I you know, I think I've I've had a call to be a spiritual director for a long time. 00:10:09.590 --> 00:10:10.090 Okay. 00:10:10.150 --> 00:10:12.650 But the time the time wasn't right. 00:10:12.790 --> 00:10:13.110 You know? 00:10:13.110 --> 00:10:19.655 I I in fact, I I applied and was was actually ready to enter a different program about ten years ago. 00:10:20.195 --> 00:10:23.155 And just everything was telling me, no. 00:10:23.155 --> 00:10:24.195 That's not the one. 00:10:24.195 --> 00:10:26.215 That's this is not the time to do that. 00:10:27.635 --> 00:10:30.295 So so I really kinda put that on the back burner. 00:10:31.190 --> 00:10:40.090 Up until this this pandemic hit, I found that I was woefully unqualified to be meeting with these people coming into into my retreat center. 00:10:40.390 --> 00:10:54.945 So, so that's when I started the you know, just googling and and just just taking a closer look at the the, programs that I knew about and then the, then then looking at others. 00:10:55.325 --> 00:11:04.300 So I was I was looking for something a little different than maybe a a strictly Ignatian program. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.400 Yes. 00:11:05.400 --> 00:11:05.900 Exactly. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:06.620 Okay. 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:18.635 And certainly looking for something that would fit into, you know, my own life and and, you know you know, how much time I wanna spend away from home and how much time I can devote to this. 00:11:18.935 --> 00:11:27.035 And, Divine Mercy just I mean, it it it hit all the notes that I was looking for. 00:11:27.140 --> 00:11:32.380 You know, looking at the the the emphasis on on, human sciences Mhmm. 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:34.840 Was a was a great appeal to me. 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:42.825 The, the online classes, and the mix with that and the residencies, that worked well on my schedule. 00:11:43.685 --> 00:11:51.125 The the, you know, the the the the semester and then a few weeks off and another semester, that that worked well as well. 00:11:51.125 --> 00:12:02.130 So, I I just when I when it when it when I finally got to looking at it, I couldn't think of a better, better model for what I was looking for and and what would fit well in in my life. 00:12:03.550 --> 00:12:04.930 That's great, Deacon. 00:12:05.470 --> 00:12:05.710 Yeah. 00:12:05.710 --> 00:12:06.750 And then exactly. 00:12:06.750 --> 00:12:09.755 And that's and that's that's what a lot of people find out. 00:12:09.755 --> 00:12:15.455 You know, this mixture that it's mostly a online program, and we have those two residencies. 00:12:17.115 --> 00:12:19.055 You know, it just makes it very accessible. 00:12:19.275 --> 00:12:27.170 And like you were saying, the actual rhythm of the program that you take at class, and then you'll have some time off, and then you'll take another course. 00:12:27.170 --> 00:12:27.670 Right? 00:12:27.810 --> 00:12:32.550 It kinda allows you to do life still, right, and study at the same time. 00:12:35.965 --> 00:12:37.565 So what has your experience been? 00:12:37.565 --> 00:12:44.365 Just to you know, generally, we're gonna get some into some different aspects of the program later on in some of these questions. 00:12:44.365 --> 00:12:46.705 But, generally, what has your experience been? 00:12:47.405 --> 00:12:51.710 In the I've been, exceptionally impressed with with the program. 00:12:52.250 --> 00:12:55.770 And, you know, when I when I said, hey. 00:12:55.770 --> 00:12:57.290 You know, back decided, hey. 00:12:57.290 --> 00:13:03.710 I need to really get a certificate in spiritual direction and applied to Divine Mercy. 00:13:04.415 --> 00:13:05.935 Kinda part of me was like, hey. 00:13:05.935 --> 00:13:12.915 I'm just gonna, like, check all the boxes, do what I need to do, and, get the certificate. 00:13:13.535 --> 00:13:14.275 You know? 00:13:14.335 --> 00:13:16.275 You know, graduate and move on. 00:13:16.650 --> 00:13:25.790 And I I was I was really, surprised to how how engaging it was both on the the intellectual level and the spiritual level. 00:13:26.010 --> 00:13:26.490 You know? 00:13:26.490 --> 00:13:32.525 Especially, hadn't I didn't have any experience with the online programs, to speak of. 00:13:32.825 --> 00:13:32.985 Mhmm. 00:13:32.985 --> 00:13:42.925 So I was I was really amazed at how how engaged and and and, attached I became to the to the to the material. 00:13:43.385 --> 00:13:48.880 That so that was that was one of the most pleasant, surprises. 00:13:49.260 --> 00:14:02.375 And then and then the other thing I was looking for was, not just kinda intellectual, formation on how, you know, what what does a spiritual director do and say. 00:14:02.915 --> 00:14:16.540 But, you know, being a deacon removed from my formation experience for from twenty years or more, I was I was I think I was hungering for a a little more spiritual formation on my own. 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:17.740 Yeah. 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:34.865 I I did not really expect that I would get much in a in a Divine Mercy online program, but I am I've been really really amazed at how much it's it's inviting me to, look at my own spirituality and, deepen my own spiritual life. 00:14:34.865 --> 00:14:41.685 So that's been, you know, two of the really, surprising outcomes of of being part of this program. 00:14:42.650 --> 00:14:52.270 Well, so it's it had the online learning has been a little bit more engaging than you thought it would be, and you it sounds like you actually feel like you're learning even though it's online. 00:14:52.810 --> 00:14:53.290 Oh, yeah. 00:14:53.290 --> 00:14:53.690 Yeah. 00:14:53.690 --> 00:15:06.455 Really learning and and really kind of, assimilating the material, you know, into into my own, life and my own understanding of of the the world around me and, you know, how I how I'm working with people. 00:15:06.455 --> 00:15:07.575 So that's yeah. 00:15:07.575 --> 00:15:11.820 So it's it's not just learning, like, learning, you know, calculus. 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:18.620 It's it's really kind of embracing this as part of part of who I am and how I interrelate with others. 00:15:19.640 --> 00:15:30.005 The online, format also was another surprise was just, really becoming attached to the cohort that I'm I'm, a part of. 00:15:30.385 --> 00:15:30.705 You know? 00:15:30.705 --> 00:15:42.180 I I thought we'd all be like, you know, ships passing in the night, but I I really feel like I know these folks, and and then I have a new, new peer group or support group. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.100 Well, that's great. 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:44.560 Yeah. 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:49.135 That it is possible to build those relationships through online. 00:15:49.135 --> 00:15:54.115 And, well, also, you've had the experiences through the residences to actually see the people personally. 00:15:54.255 --> 00:15:54.755 Absolutely. 00:15:54.975 --> 00:15:55.475 Mhmm. 00:15:55.775 --> 00:16:04.290 And, Deacon, you spoke about how it's just been helpful for you to grow in your own relationship with the Lord and your own spiritual life. 00:16:06.110 --> 00:16:30.695 And which for me does it's not surprising because it's definitely an element we put into the program, kind of that transformational nature that would help you, to grow too because just we feel like, if the if the spiritual director isn't growing in in his or her relationship with the lord, then it would be hard for them to be able to kind of help someone else to do that. 00:16:30.695 --> 00:16:35.010 But maybe you can speak a little bit more about how it's just helped you to grow. 00:16:36.910 --> 00:16:42.770 I mean, just the the intent attentiveness, to my to my own spiritual life. 00:16:43.310 --> 00:16:43.810 Yeah. 00:16:43.950 --> 00:16:47.010 You know, I I I had been meeting with the spiritual director. 00:16:48.565 --> 00:16:53.465 And, so I'd I'd walk away with a, you know, kind of a new insight or two. 00:16:54.325 --> 00:17:11.770 But now I'm I'm really, when I meet with with him, I really try to, you know, extract every bit of, you know, information, spiritual voice speaking to me in that in those times. 00:17:11.770 --> 00:17:21.625 And so so those of those sessions, have become a lot more fruitful for me to because I have a little better understanding of what they're all about. 00:17:21.625 --> 00:17:31.385 But, also, I'm, you know, I'm I'm committed to to try to be a a, a good spiritual director, good, you know, lord wedding willing. 00:17:31.385 --> 00:17:33.340 And and so that's that's part of it. 00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:33.580 You know? 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:48.425 And then just taking, you know, reading some of the material and, you know, the qualities of a spiritual director and and, the the that kind of stuff, I'm taking that fairly seriously too. 00:17:48.425 --> 00:17:54.125 And I think that's having a an impact on on my own my own, you know, spiritual growth as well. 00:17:56.025 --> 00:17:58.105 That's that's beautiful to hear, Deacon. 00:17:58.105 --> 00:18:08.730 It's helping you to become a better person, a better deacon, and it sounds like you're moving into that identity of what it means to be a spiritual director and and understanding more what that ministry implies. 00:18:09.430 --> 00:18:09.670 Yeah. 00:18:09.670 --> 00:18:10.650 So that's beautiful. 00:18:11.830 --> 00:18:15.210 What have you found to be the most helpful about the program? 00:18:18.105 --> 00:18:19.865 I think we mentioned a few other things. 00:18:19.865 --> 00:18:26.365 I think the, asynchronous format works well with my my, my schedule. 00:18:28.355 --> 00:18:34.880 The the I I I've been very impressed with the, the the faculty and staff. 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:47.895 I think they're very supportive, and they're they're both they seem to be very knowledgeable in what they they're presenting, but also have a have a a great level of care and concern for their students. 00:18:47.895 --> 00:18:51.115 So so I I I find that reassuring. 00:18:51.255 --> 00:18:59.660 I haven't really tapped into it much, but I just know that, you know, from from, you know, that it's there in case I I have a have a have a difficulty. 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:04.380 So those those have been very helpful to me. 00:19:06.280 --> 00:19:15.085 The, you know, the residencies were were very, very formative, both intellectually and and and spiritually as well. 00:19:16.265 --> 00:19:23.160 So now that we've talked you mentioned the residencies a little bit, you know, let's let's go a little bit deeper into that. 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:26.380 You know, what what was your experience of those residencies? 00:19:26.520 --> 00:19:34.680 You've done two, but, you you know, you've completed the two residencies that the program has to offer now at this stage because I I think you're in the fifth course. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:37.660 So what has that been like for you, those residencies? 00:19:39.155 --> 00:19:39.475 Yeah. 00:19:39.475 --> 00:19:42.615 I I it was kinda like, a spiritual boot camp. 00:19:43.315 --> 00:19:43.815 Okay. 00:19:44.755 --> 00:19:53.495 I I you know, not in a negative way, but it was it was, there there were really I I see, like, two components in the residency. 00:19:53.635 --> 00:19:59.120 One is is, you're together, and there's a lot of, role playing. 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:05.540 I'm I'm acting I'm I'm a spiritual director to other other individuals, and there's people watching. 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:07.780 And and I know they're gonna critique. 00:20:08.565 --> 00:20:09.605 And The faculty. 00:20:09.605 --> 00:20:11.205 Those faculty that are there. 00:20:11.205 --> 00:20:11.705 Yeah. 00:20:11.765 --> 00:20:12.165 Yeah. 00:20:12.165 --> 00:20:21.705 At the end of that, I'm gonna have a little little sit down and and and, with with, one of the faculty advisers and and go through what what they saw. 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:26.860 You know, that that kind of scrutiny, I I think for most people, is little little uncomfortable. 00:20:28.520 --> 00:20:30.780 So that was that was part of it. 00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:49.395 But part of it, I you know, again, being I I I was I thought I was fairly open to to critique and and really wanted to hear what other people, are seeing and and me and and and and listen to what they they you know, things that I might be able to do a little differently. 00:20:50.950 --> 00:21:17.130 So I was open to that, and and so the even though it it was the scrutiny part of it was a little little, difficult for me, The the fruit that came from that was was really, really good, and I walked away with, so those are some personalities, you know, that that that are that are contrary to what what a spiritual director is all about. 00:21:17.130 --> 00:21:17.370 You know? 00:21:17.370 --> 00:21:17.850 Or Mhmm. 00:21:18.010 --> 00:21:24.730 Those are some of the annoying, tendencies I thought I put the put the rest, you know, twenty years ago. 00:21:24.730 --> 00:21:25.390 You know? 00:21:25.530 --> 00:21:27.790 And here they are surfacing again. 00:21:28.010 --> 00:21:28.250 You know? 00:21:28.250 --> 00:21:35.935 I have a I have a tendency, for instance, to, to when when things get a little tense, to to interject humor. 00:21:36.635 --> 00:21:37.035 Yeah. 00:21:37.035 --> 00:21:39.275 Just to kinda let let's move on. 00:21:39.275 --> 00:21:40.555 Let's laugh and move on. 00:21:40.555 --> 00:21:41.835 We don't wanna go there. 00:21:41.835 --> 00:21:50.880 Well, that's kind of inappropriate for a a spiritual direction session to to where you wanna go deeper and the point to gloss it over and let's let's laugh it off. 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.380 Mhmm. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:57.220 So that was that was kinda like one of the things that came out in that that, that, those the residency. 00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:01.460 The other component of that residency was a retreat. 00:22:01.835 --> 00:22:02.655 And Mhmm. 00:22:02.875 --> 00:22:12.415 And I thought the two, the, you know, for instance, the content and the role playing, again, very challenging. 00:22:12.635 --> 00:22:21.940 But that coupled with this this in the middle of this this retreat was was a beautiful combination for me. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:42.615 Because then, after, you know, little scrutiny and a little little humbling and, a little self examination, I could spend a day in prayer and listen to the, you know, the Lord speaking to me in adoration and and some of the other, retreat activities. 00:22:43.795 --> 00:22:46.535 And it just put all of that in perspective. 00:22:47.290 --> 00:22:47.610 You know? 00:22:47.610 --> 00:22:53.230 This is this is not just like I said, it's not a a boot camp like I'm entering the marines. 00:22:53.930 --> 00:23:02.085 I'm really trying to, become more and more aligned with, with, our lord Jesus and and the work that I do. 00:23:02.245 --> 00:23:09.385 And so that that retreat just kinda put it all all in a in a in a beautiful context. 00:23:11.045 --> 00:23:11.285 Yeah. 00:23:11.285 --> 00:23:12.325 I can imagine that. 00:23:12.325 --> 00:23:12.725 You know? 00:23:12.725 --> 00:23:34.665 Just having that you're receiving that coaching and that feedback through those different sessions, the role play sessions, and then just having that time to kinda touch down deeper with the Lord because I'm sure, like, kind of what you're mentioning, you're seeing a lot of you're you're getting to know yourself a lot better as you're practicing learning how to practice the ministry of spiritual direction. 00:23:34.665 --> 00:23:45.110 And so I imagine, yeah, to have those those times of conversations with the lord just to maybe connect dots or understand what he's doing there would just be so important. 00:23:46.450 --> 00:23:46.530 Yeah. 00:23:46.530 --> 00:23:50.630 If I could actually chime in for a second since we're talking about the residencies. 00:23:51.970 --> 00:23:59.605 First thing, if you look at the screen, and we have two images, and the top one was our, residency back in February. 00:24:00.305 --> 00:24:02.965 Just playing a game of where's Waldo for a moment. 00:24:03.185 --> 00:24:08.785 I think I spotted you, Deacon Scott, toward the back, at the very Yeah. 00:24:08.785 --> 00:24:10.580 There toward the very He is there. 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:10.740 Yeah. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.220 Yeah. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:22.200 But I I also wanted to just point out to all of our guests that, along with that, if you if you notice that we have a lot of folks that are in this program that come from different vocations. 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.805 So we have deacons. 00:24:23.805 --> 00:24:25.405 We have consecrated religious. 00:24:25.405 --> 00:24:26.865 We have consecrated laypeople. 00:24:27.005 --> 00:24:34.625 We have secular lay that are in this, but what they all have in common is this love for this ministry and wanting to serve God and serve others. 00:24:35.565 --> 00:24:42.170 So now and then we have folks that ask, is this a problem if I'm a layperson? 00:24:42.390 --> 00:24:46.730 Is it a problem if if I'm not, in any sort of religious community? 00:24:47.430 --> 00:24:49.110 And the answer to that is no. 00:24:49.110 --> 00:24:55.655 This isn't really a a ministry that's only, designed for certain vocations. 00:24:55.795 --> 00:24:59.015 This is something that God could call anyone to. 00:24:59.155 --> 00:25:05.735 And, and we have this program, put together for all of those that have been called to this ministry. 00:25:07.190 --> 00:25:07.690 Mhmm. 00:25:08.070 --> 00:25:08.570 Exactly. 00:25:09.270 --> 00:25:10.170 Thanks, Greg. 00:25:12.230 --> 00:25:23.315 So, Deacon, what have you found the most difficult about the program or about your, you know, these studies or this time in the program. 00:25:23.315 --> 00:25:27.015 Is there anything that you found, like, difficult as you've gone through? 00:25:28.515 --> 00:25:33.315 Well, I I wish I could say there's been a few struggles, but there hasn't been too many. 00:25:33.315 --> 00:25:36.770 I'm I'm, you know, I'm I'm kind of a academic overachiever. 00:25:37.790 --> 00:25:46.610 So so I thrive on on on that kind of challenge, and I'm I'm I'm pretty pretty, aware of of time management. 00:25:46.830 --> 00:25:51.935 And and, so I I was able to kinda fit this into into my schedule. 00:25:52.875 --> 00:25:55.935 The asynchronous format helps a lot. 00:25:56.395 --> 00:25:56.715 You know? 00:25:56.715 --> 00:26:04.440 So I can I can do this when when I wanna do it at in bed at night, early in the morning, you know, sometime at that break during the day? 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:07.080 So so that that works a lot. 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:13.720 I'm I'm pretty good at writing, so there's there's some writing, that that the program demands. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:16.745 And so, you know, I can I can knock that out fairly well? 00:26:16.745 --> 00:26:24.045 So the I hate to say this, but one of the things that was most challenging was this APA, style. 00:26:24.745 --> 00:26:25.225 Okay. 00:26:25.225 --> 00:26:25.425 APA. 00:26:25.625 --> 00:26:39.990 From I'm good at writing, so I'd I'd bang up my, my paper or my, discussion post in in thirty minutes or an hour, and then it'd take me another hour or two to get get not the references, but just get the the the format right. 00:26:39.990 --> 00:26:42.890 But that was you know, I'm getting better getting better. 00:26:44.535 --> 00:26:49.175 I I I guess, all in all, it was more the and we talked about this. 00:26:49.175 --> 00:27:01.380 Just the personal awareness and and growth that that I was I was experiencing, was was, at times, like, difficult. 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:01.700 You know? 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.100 That, hey. 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:08.820 I you know you know, my my ego would flare, and I'm like, who are they to to say this about me? 00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.220 You know? 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.860 And Mhmm. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:13.925 And, you know, I I had to put a little bit of that to to bed. 00:27:14.385 --> 00:27:15.525 So so Yeah. 00:27:16.625 --> 00:27:24.085 Definitely sounds like, you're talking about just the need to be able to be coachable when you're going through the program. 00:27:24.305 --> 00:27:24.545 Yeah. 00:27:24.545 --> 00:27:25.745 It has to be. 00:27:25.745 --> 00:27:26.225 Yeah. 00:27:26.225 --> 00:27:28.930 To be able to be open to learning. 00:27:29.870 --> 00:27:35.150 Sometimes we can be open to learnings, new knowledge, but, and sometimes skills too. 00:27:35.150 --> 00:27:44.505 But, it seems like as the students go through the program, they the Lord will also kinda use this as an opportunity to help them to grow in their own self knowledge. 00:27:44.505 --> 00:27:54.050 And so, yeah, definitely, I can, see that need to just to kind of learn from the Lord and and and from the process itself. 00:27:54.670 --> 00:27:55.170 Right? 00:27:55.710 --> 00:27:56.030 Yeah. 00:27:56.030 --> 00:27:56.930 So thank you. 00:27:58.030 --> 00:28:06.690 One thing I'd I'd like to add to what Greg said about the, you know, is it is it just for religious or or a priest or a deacon? 00:28:09.005 --> 00:28:14.145 And there there are some of those part of the program, but a lot of laypeople part of the program too. 00:28:14.525 --> 00:28:32.460 And I find in the discussion posts and and even at the residencies, the the interaction between all these different people called called to serve the Lord in various ways is is it really adds a lot of depth and, and, texture to to, to the program. 00:28:32.745 --> 00:28:43.005 So you hear you hear things from, you know, different points of view, and that enriches my understanding of of of of whatever the topic might be. 00:28:44.825 --> 00:28:45.645 So interesting. 00:28:46.345 --> 00:28:46.585 Yeah. 00:28:46.585 --> 00:28:50.800 And there's different ages and all different walks of life. 00:28:50.800 --> 00:28:52.820 So it is it is so true. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:29:00.020 Sometimes things that you wouldn't think about or see or understand, you know, another student has a deep experience. 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:06.665 And it's interesting because there's people just like you that have had that have a career in something else. 00:29:07.365 --> 00:29:15.445 Most most everyone has not been dedicated full time to ministry unless they're a religious sister, a consecrated man or woman, or a priest. 00:29:15.445 --> 00:29:18.905 But a lot of the people are coming in from other careers. 00:29:19.830 --> 00:29:22.970 So there's just a richness of experience, of life experiences. 00:29:25.670 --> 00:29:25.910 Yeah. 00:29:25.910 --> 00:29:30.010 And that tends to build everybody up and and enrich the discussion. 00:29:30.870 --> 00:29:31.270 You know? 00:29:31.270 --> 00:29:31.990 I I yeah. 00:29:31.990 --> 00:29:34.845 I don't I don't detect anyone feeling, hey. 00:29:34.845 --> 00:29:47.505 I'm not qualified to to to be speaking to you know, like, I'm doing practice spiritual direction with a priest, and that makes me a little, you know, little uncomfortable, but, it it just worked out wonderfully. 00:29:48.210 --> 00:29:48.450 Yeah. 00:29:48.450 --> 00:29:49.970 So Mhmm. 00:29:49.970 --> 00:29:50.470 Beautiful. 00:29:51.170 --> 00:29:52.470 Thanks for sharing that. 00:29:55.090 --> 00:30:05.305 So what would you you know, if you were talking to another deacon, that was interested in the program, what would you say to to him if he was looking into the program? 00:30:07.445 --> 00:30:11.225 I that's a good that's a good question. 00:30:11.445 --> 00:30:14.105 I I I've talked to a few deacons. 00:30:14.245 --> 00:30:19.010 I've I've told them, you know, some of my experiences, and they've all mostly been positive. 00:30:21.710 --> 00:30:30.530 Then then I I kinda remind them that the, of of of, you know, their their formation experience. 00:30:32.275 --> 00:30:43.255 The you know, and and formation as to to be a permanent deacon, to be ordained is is a pretty pretty exciting time, a lot of intellectual development, a lot of, spiritual formation. 00:30:43.715 --> 00:30:49.290 It's a it's a really, very active at a time in a in a in a man's life. 00:30:49.510 --> 00:30:53.370 And then then they they get ordained, and they launch into ministry. 00:30:53.910 --> 00:31:01.690 And they, you know, I think a lot of them will kinda start neglecting that spiritual formation. 00:31:02.195 --> 00:31:02.515 You know? 00:31:02.515 --> 00:31:09.815 They're really so active in this and that, and and they got their job, their family, their their ministry, their their their parish. 00:31:09.955 --> 00:31:13.975 You know, just they're they're just running and doing all kinds of things. 00:31:14.780 --> 00:31:37.465 So the I think the big selling point one of the big selling points for me is, you know, go back to that that very rich, active, lively, formation environment, you know, where where you really felt, close and and connected with the Lord and and and, you know, that's that's part of what the program is. 00:31:37.525 --> 00:31:41.765 And then then the other part, you know, most deacons have just a heart for service. 00:31:41.765 --> 00:31:44.800 You know, they're doing all this because they they really love serving. 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:47.120 They love serving others, serving the church. 00:31:47.540 --> 00:31:57.120 And, this would be a way of of of serving others, but really serving in their their spiritual life. 00:31:57.295 --> 00:32:10.835 You know, you're you're you're you're there to as a servant, as a deacon, to to kinda see what what what kinda assistance you can provide in in their in their spiritual life as well. 00:32:11.570 --> 00:32:20.050 So, like, my years of ministry have been very, very practical, marital counseling, prison ministry, you know, baptismal prep, and that kind of stuff. 00:32:20.050 --> 00:32:26.790 But this is a different kind of, kind of service, and it's almost service to a soul or service to a person's spirit. 00:32:27.325 --> 00:32:35.745 And and that's that's just as just as gratifying or I'm finding that just as gratifying as as the other forms of service that I entered into. 00:32:37.405 --> 00:32:39.105 That is so interesting, Deacon. 00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:44.940 You know, because Greg and of course, we're not deacons, so we don't understand this world so so well. 00:32:44.940 --> 00:33:01.795 And it's so interesting to hear, you know, how a deacon could feel, called to to, you know you are ordained minister, so you would imagine that that a deacon would feel called to kind of accompany someone in their relationship with the Lord and helping that to grow. 00:33:03.135 --> 00:33:03.775 But it's true. 00:33:03.775 --> 00:33:10.430 Sometimes the deacons in our churches, we see them doing a lot of functional activities or helping out in different ways. 00:33:10.430 --> 00:33:18.450 But, yeah, I think it would be great to be able to talk to one of my deacons about my spiritual life and and have that support too. 00:33:19.535 --> 00:33:19.855 Yeah. 00:33:19.855 --> 00:33:26.915 And and like like many deacons, I've I've had a probably a misunderstanding of what spiritual direction was. 00:33:27.855 --> 00:33:30.595 Didn't take my spiritual direction very seriously. 00:33:31.455 --> 00:33:40.420 And, it wasn't until I really was tested in the pandemic that I realized, I, yeah, I really don't know this. 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.300 You know? 00:33:41.520 --> 00:33:51.465 I've been I've been talking with people, interviewing people, being a minister to others for for a long time, but I really don't know spiritual direction. 00:33:51.465 --> 00:33:59.465 I can meet with folks, and we can talk about things, but it's I I'm learning in a very deeper way. 00:33:59.465 --> 00:34:04.630 That's not that's not a spiritual direction or the spiritual direction that people are really hungry for. 00:34:05.330 --> 00:34:05.830 Mhmm. 00:34:07.250 --> 00:34:08.870 Thank you for sharing that. 00:34:10.530 --> 00:34:13.270 Well, I think I might be at the end of all my questions. 00:34:13.330 --> 00:34:19.005 I don't know if there's anything else you'd like to add, Deacon Scott, as we wind up the interview. 00:34:21.465 --> 00:34:22.765 Can't think of anything. 00:34:22.825 --> 00:34:24.845 It'll it'd probably come up in a minute. 00:34:25.465 --> 00:34:25.945 Okay. 00:34:25.945 --> 00:34:34.810 Well, I'm gonna hand it over to Greg to talk a little bit about the program and how, if you're if people are interested, how to to apply. 00:34:35.510 --> 00:34:41.050 And then, Teek and Scott, if you think of anything, we'll we'll throw the ball back to you just before we leave. 00:34:41.110 --> 00:34:41.430 Yes. 00:34:41.430 --> 00:34:41.910 Excellent. 00:34:41.910 --> 00:34:42.470 Thank you. 00:34:42.470 --> 00:34:44.790 So, I'm just gonna be jumping around. 00:34:44.790 --> 00:34:53.265 I've kind of gone rogue with the slides, but, just to reiterate, some of the the details of the program itself. 00:34:53.265 --> 00:34:58.245 We had mentioned that, all of the courses, and there are six courses in this program. 00:34:58.305 --> 00:35:02.210 They're done online, and they're also done asynchronously. 00:35:02.750 --> 00:35:07.250 So just as Deacon Scott had mentioned, it's there's a lot of flexibility. 00:35:07.550 --> 00:35:12.210 You can log in to your classes at any time that works within your schedule. 00:35:12.990 --> 00:35:21.525 And we say it's primarily done online just because while all the courses are online, there are those residencies that we had talked about. 00:35:21.665 --> 00:35:29.510 And those happen twice within the whole program, and those will happen during your third and your fifth term. 00:35:29.510 --> 00:35:33.350 And then, also students have the practicum hours. 00:35:33.350 --> 00:35:43.145 So this is where once you get to your fifth term, this is where you'll be active as a spiritual director, in your local area. 00:35:43.145 --> 00:35:51.065 So whether it's within your parish or your apostolate or whatever it may be, we train students. 00:35:51.065 --> 00:35:57.600 We train them on how to find directees and how to make that outreach and how to get to that next step. 00:35:57.840 --> 00:36:11.780 So, we're not just training you on how to be a spiritual director and then assuming that you'll know what to do after that, but we're making sure that, we're covering all bases so that you can also branch out and find those directees that need that guidance. 00:36:13.865 --> 00:36:19.965 And I'll just cover the just a few other nitty riddies very quickly about the residencies. 00:36:21.145 --> 00:36:25.885 Again, the campus where they take place happens in Sterling, Virginia. 00:36:25.945 --> 00:36:27.405 So this is Northern Virginia. 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:36.720 I live in DC, and it takes me about thirty five, forty minutes to travel from home to campus, so just to give you an idea geographically. 00:36:38.140 --> 00:36:42.000 And we're about a five minute drive from the Dulles Airport. 00:36:42.305 --> 00:36:52.065 So for those of you who are flying in, this is not a a case where you're gonna be flying in and then driving an hour or so to find the campus. 00:36:52.065 --> 00:36:54.245 It's just right up the street. 00:36:54.810 --> 00:36:59.310 And students are lodged right next door to I believe it's a Marriott hotel. 00:36:59.930 --> 00:37:06.590 In fact, it's so close that sometimes they'll walk from the hotel to campus for the four day residences. 00:37:06.970 --> 00:37:09.710 So, again, everything is in very close proximity. 00:37:12.465 --> 00:37:20.725 And then, also just to go a little bit more into the, the details, students are taking one course at a time. 00:37:20.865 --> 00:37:23.185 So each term is eight weeks. 00:37:23.185 --> 00:37:26.340 So you're taking one course per eight week term. 00:37:27.160 --> 00:37:39.585 And, usually, and this is not set in stone, but typically, from what I've seen, students are committing somewhere between six to nine hours per week toward their study time. 00:37:39.585 --> 00:37:40.225 It can vary. 00:37:40.225 --> 00:37:48.885 It can vary based on, the courses that you're taking or your familiarity with the content, but this is just more of a pattern that we've seen with our active students. 00:37:49.825 --> 00:37:52.990 And there are also breaks between the terms. 00:37:53.130 --> 00:38:02.170 So, there's a lot of breathing room between all of the courses that you're taking and, the breaks happen usually during major holidays. 00:38:02.170 --> 00:38:15.285 So you won't have to concern yourself over meeting an assignment while at the same time, hosting Thanksgiving or preparing yourself for holy week or whatever it may be. 00:38:15.345 --> 00:38:20.245 These major holidays will happen during, during down periods. 00:38:21.570 --> 00:38:25.190 And then for the whole program itself, it's a it's a two year program. 00:38:25.250 --> 00:38:36.765 So including the breaks and and the residencies in your practicum, ex expect for it to be, a two year event. 00:38:39.545 --> 00:38:43.065 And just to dive into the, the cost as well. 00:38:43.065 --> 00:38:57.200 And I wanna highlight for those of you that are, active in ministry or volunteers at your parish or or work within some sort of, church affiliated organization, we can bring the cost down by 10%. 00:38:57.200 --> 00:38:59.140 So I do wanna reiterate that first. 00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:06.915 The cost per course is 778, and then the cost per residencies is 1,000. 00:39:07.455 --> 00:39:09.795 And that thousand is going to cover your lodging. 00:39:10.015 --> 00:39:12.355 It'll cover most of your meals. 00:39:12.895 --> 00:39:14.275 It'll cover your materials. 00:39:15.055 --> 00:39:22.390 So the only thing that you'd be responsible for would be your travel and three of your dinners, but everything else will be covered under that thousand. 00:39:24.770 --> 00:39:28.770 So I that really brings me to the end of this. 00:39:28.770 --> 00:39:34.965 So what I'd like to do is open up the floor to all of you who have attended and are interested in this. 00:39:35.345 --> 00:39:41.265 I do wanna also highlight very quickly that we do have three start dates per academic year. 00:39:41.265 --> 00:39:44.385 Right now, we are looking at the spring term. 00:39:44.705 --> 00:39:50.010 So right now we're we're enrolling for the spring term, which start on January 11. 00:39:50.070 --> 00:39:58.230 This is prime time to begin, or to to apply rather just because, it feels like January is far away. 00:39:58.230 --> 00:39:58.710 It's not. 00:39:58.710 --> 00:40:00.010 It's right around the corner. 00:40:00.715 --> 00:40:05.295 So I always encourage students that if they're really interested, now is a great time to apply. 00:40:05.835 --> 00:40:19.490 It'll also give you time to, get access to your orientations and learn a little bit about the, APA writing style and also which departments are there for you in case you have any needs. 00:40:20.510 --> 00:40:26.190 So with that said, gonna now open up the the q and a to all of you. 00:40:26.190 --> 00:40:30.195 Again, post your questions in the q and a or the chat. 00:40:30.895 --> 00:40:37.295 So I'm gonna direct certain questions to you, Maria, and to you, Deacon Scott, depending on the questions. 00:40:37.295 --> 00:40:40.275 And, of course, for enrollment, I'll be here as well. 00:40:40.735 --> 00:40:44.600 So we do have one question from Colleen. 00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:51.560 She said, do you find students in your program mainly affiliate with the Catholic Christian faith tradition? 00:40:54.660 --> 00:40:57.640 I guess I'll answer that since it's about our students. 00:40:58.475 --> 00:40:59.755 At this point in time, yes. 00:40:59.755 --> 00:41:07.055 They're either Catholics or Christians, that are in the program, and that's really the tradition that the program is taught in. 00:41:07.195 --> 00:41:12.655 It doesn't mean that there couldn't be other people that are interested in this tradition that would take this program. 00:41:13.010 --> 00:41:24.070 But, yeah, at this point in time, we the students are either Catholics or Christians that are ministering in, in one of those environments or in in those environments. 00:41:27.415 --> 00:41:27.895 Yeah. 00:41:27.895 --> 00:41:29.275 Great question, Colleen. 00:41:29.335 --> 00:41:38.075 And and I'll even say just to, just to pay you back on that as the admissions adviser and I speak with folks every day. 00:41:39.450 --> 00:41:50.110 I I do get a lot of folks that ask, if it's required that they are Catholic to be in the program just because we do approach spiritual direction from the Catholic tradition. 00:41:51.625 --> 00:41:54.425 And just as Maria said, that's not a requirement at all. 00:41:54.425 --> 00:41:58.765 We have a lot of, Christians who are are not Catholic. 00:41:59.065 --> 00:42:02.605 So we have Catholic Christians and we have non Catholic Christians in this program. 00:42:03.785 --> 00:42:11.110 And what they all have in common is their love for God and their love for serving God and serving others, within this context. 00:42:12.450 --> 00:42:13.670 So great question. 00:42:15.410 --> 00:42:20.390 I will open up the floor to all of you again with any questions that you have. 00:42:23.435 --> 00:42:28.975 While we're waiting for that, Deacon, is there anything that came to your mind as Greg was speaking that you'd wanna comment? 00:42:29.755 --> 00:42:40.600 Well, I just adding to the the the previous question, I I think the the material presented is would would be, would be beneficial to any any Christian. 00:42:40.900 --> 00:42:41.300 You know? 00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:49.000 The spiritual direction has a a a rich rich, history and and and rich, Christian traditions. 00:42:49.755 --> 00:42:57.615 And, I I'd say most of most of the program is gonna tap into tap into that and the human sciences. 00:42:57.675 --> 00:43:02.495 So I I think any any Christian's gonna get a benefit out of the the the program. 00:43:05.350 --> 00:43:06.070 Thank you. 00:43:06.070 --> 00:43:06.570 Great. 00:43:06.950 --> 00:43:09.050 I have another question from Marta. 00:43:09.670 --> 00:43:11.270 I'll answer half of the question. 00:43:11.270 --> 00:43:14.490 And, Maria, if you can answer the second half, that would be great. 00:43:14.870 --> 00:43:18.915 So Marta asked, can we get a list of the required books? 00:43:20.275 --> 00:43:21.555 And I'll just answer that first. 00:43:21.555 --> 00:43:22.515 So the answer is yes. 00:43:22.515 --> 00:43:27.735 So I can I'd be happy to send a, a list of those books out to you. 00:43:28.435 --> 00:43:35.010 So for you that are that are curious, any of you, what I would suggest doing is sending me an email. 00:43:35.550 --> 00:43:37.550 Or you're welcome to call or text me. 00:43:37.550 --> 00:43:38.830 Either one would be fine. 00:43:38.830 --> 00:43:40.350 But go ahead and make outreach to me. 00:43:40.350 --> 00:43:42.130 My contact information is here. 00:43:42.190 --> 00:43:49.665 And for those of you interested, I'd be happy to forward you the list of the reading material that we have, within this program. 00:43:51.085 --> 00:43:57.165 So the second half of the question, Maria, she asked, which edition of the Bible do you use? 00:43:57.165 --> 00:43:58.285 That's a great question. 00:43:58.285 --> 00:44:00.385 I actually don't know the answer to that one. 00:44:02.630 --> 00:44:09.690 It's it's, I think it's the now, but I think it's a typical well, that are you that's used here in The United States in the conference of bishops. 00:44:11.430 --> 00:44:20.775 But we also you know, in that sense, I don't think there's any I don't know if there's any assignments where we upload text of the bible. 00:44:20.775 --> 00:44:31.820 I mean, we definitely have text of sacred scripture throughout the course, but you're, you know, you're very welcome to use the bible that you have at hand, for the course. 00:44:32.520 --> 00:44:36.460 About the, the question of the books and everything like that. 00:44:36.760 --> 00:44:42.045 So one thing that I love about this program is that pretty much everything is online. 00:44:42.285 --> 00:44:48.525 You know, you don't have to be searching down books and buying them, and I see Deacon shaking his head. 00:44:48.525 --> 00:45:09.625 We just we re as we built this certificate, we tried to do kind of a hard work and sift through a lot of different resources and find out take really find those that we thought would be most beneficial for you to be reading, whether from the human sciences or, from the Catholic or Christian tradition. 00:45:09.925 --> 00:45:19.445 And and since we are a university, we got the licenses so we could upload those onto the onto the platform, and and you could use them and download them. 00:45:19.445 --> 00:45:21.450 So pretty much everything is there. 00:45:21.450 --> 00:45:25.050 And there's one book that we couldn't get permission to use. 00:45:25.050 --> 00:45:30.090 But the good news is that it looks like we're going to be able to actually get permission now. 00:45:30.090 --> 00:45:34.810 So we did have one book that we're like, okay, you got to start looking for this and try to buy it. 00:45:34.810 --> 00:45:41.375 But we've actually been in touch with the editorial house, and it looks like they're gonna do an ebook. 00:45:41.375 --> 00:45:47.695 And so that's gonna allow us to be able to put that last book that we hadn't been able to put on the platform there. 00:45:47.695 --> 00:45:55.790 So That that was one of the one of the most pleasant surprises when I entered the program. 00:45:55.790 --> 00:46:01.455 I was I was thinking back to my deacon formation days, and I'm gonna fill up another bookshelf of books. 00:46:02.575 --> 00:46:07.775 And to have everything online except that one book, that was a big plus. 00:46:07.775 --> 00:46:12.975 There's a few books I actually bought on my own just just because they're they they look like they'd be good to have. 00:46:12.975 --> 00:46:17.450 But, to all the all the reading material, you can access online. 00:46:17.450 --> 00:46:19.150 So that was a big plus. 00:46:19.930 --> 00:46:20.090 Yeah. 00:46:20.090 --> 00:46:23.790 And it it gives you just opportunity to have a lot of exposure to different resources. 00:46:23.850 --> 00:46:28.650 Then you like you said, Zeke, and then you can decide which ones you actually wanna be invest in and buy. 00:46:28.650 --> 00:46:29.145 Right? 00:46:29.305 --> 00:46:29.805 Mhmm. 00:46:30.345 --> 00:46:38.765 So, yeah, that's that is a great kind of just a great plus that came from the work we did to to design the program and develop it. 00:46:40.505 --> 00:46:41.005 Yeah. 00:46:41.480 --> 00:46:42.620 Great question, Martha. 00:46:44.520 --> 00:46:45.900 Any other questions? 00:46:46.120 --> 00:46:52.220 We're getting toward the top of the hour, but we still have some time to answer more questions for you. 00:46:53.335 --> 00:46:55.815 I feel like we've taken a good tour Yeah. 00:46:55.815 --> 00:46:55.935 Yeah. 00:46:56.055 --> 00:46:58.315 Program from a lot of different perspectives. 00:46:59.095 --> 00:46:59.335 Yeah. 00:46:59.335 --> 00:47:01.355 Oh, it looks like we might have one more. 00:47:02.615 --> 00:47:03.015 Okay. 00:47:03.015 --> 00:47:05.275 So it looks like Mary Anne asked a question. 00:47:06.260 --> 00:47:12.920 So she said access to the ebooks is per term or, or duration of the program. 00:47:14.740 --> 00:47:15.060 No. 00:47:15.060 --> 00:47:21.135 All the recesses resources that are on the platform, you can actually download into your computer. 00:47:21.135 --> 00:47:26.995 Lowest layer of licenses are built that way, so you can actually download them into your computer and have them. 00:47:28.255 --> 00:47:33.150 So it's, during the time that you're in the course and then, afterwards. 00:47:33.210 --> 00:47:40.670 You know, the part of our intentionality there was to, help you start building your tool chest as a spiritual director. 00:47:41.050 --> 00:47:46.490 So, you know, we really wanted to make those resources as you're going through and saying, oh my gosh. 00:47:46.490 --> 00:47:48.545 I think this is something I'd love to keep. 00:47:48.545 --> 00:47:49.685 You can do that. 00:47:52.625 --> 00:47:53.105 Good. 00:47:53.105 --> 00:47:57.445 And then Martha also asked another question, which is how many in each cohort? 00:47:58.545 --> 00:48:01.970 I believe that's about somewhere between 25 to 30 students. 00:48:01.970 --> 00:48:02.930 I guess it could vary. 00:48:02.930 --> 00:48:03.890 But No. 00:48:03.890 --> 00:48:05.110 It's 22. 00:48:05.250 --> 00:48:05.810 22. 00:48:05.810 --> 00:48:06.310 Okay. 00:48:06.690 --> 00:48:08.610 22 is the cohort size. 00:48:08.610 --> 00:48:17.925 And then when, there are some courses that have a little bit more, supervision to them or follow-up. 00:48:18.385 --> 00:48:28.325 So we're trying to cap those at 18 just to be able to allow the instructor to be able to have more time with the individual students because there's more feedback needed. 00:48:30.070 --> 00:48:30.550 Great. 00:48:30.550 --> 00:48:30.950 Alright. 00:48:30.950 --> 00:48:32.570 22 per cohort. 00:48:33.430 --> 00:48:36.570 And, Maryann asked one other question. 00:48:36.790 --> 00:48:40.550 She said, first, thank you for answering her first question. 00:48:40.550 --> 00:48:46.675 Then she said, was wondering if we would have access to them as progress through the semesters. 00:48:48.015 --> 00:48:50.895 So I guess that was actually not a question, but more of just a follow-up. 00:48:50.895 --> 00:48:54.575 And, so, yes, you you you will have access to them. 00:48:54.575 --> 00:49:07.200 I'll even mention very quickly that I I, earlier talked about the space between terms where you have these breaks, and many times students will use that as just downtime. 00:49:08.620 --> 00:49:14.205 They might plan certain events around them, vacation time or weddings or whatever it may be. 00:49:15.085 --> 00:49:26.125 But I've spoken with a few students, and many times they'll even take that time to read certain chapters or certain parts that they weren't assigned because of of their curiosity of the content. 00:49:26.125 --> 00:49:28.260 So that's something that you'll have access to. 00:49:29.060 --> 00:49:32.180 So it's not like you'll only have access to what you're assigned. 00:49:32.180 --> 00:49:36.040 You'll have, all the content available to you if you were curious. 00:49:38.260 --> 00:49:40.580 And then, looks like there was one other question. 00:49:40.580 --> 00:49:43.800 Any live virtual meetings besides the residencies? 00:49:46.155 --> 00:49:52.555 We do ask every instructor to host a meeting during the duration of the eight week course. 00:49:52.555 --> 00:49:56.175 It's not obligatory, but we ask them to host a meeting. 00:49:56.875 --> 00:50:06.150 And they and the nature of that meeting can really be defined by the instructor, whether it's like a question and answer or to go deeper in a into a certain concept. 00:50:07.730 --> 00:50:12.710 And then we also have what's called triads, and they pretty much start from the first course. 00:50:13.490 --> 00:50:18.775 And, they're not you know, they start less frequent at the beginning. 00:50:19.315 --> 00:50:22.275 But, basically, it's a meeting between you and two other students. 00:50:22.275 --> 00:50:28.195 And at the beginning, it's really talking about something you've read together or sharing about an assignment that you have. 00:50:28.195 --> 00:50:39.520 And then later on, those triads become the actual place for you to start doing the role playing and, record them and send them into the instructor to get feedback about them. 00:50:40.220 --> 00:50:49.355 So and then, and then in the 500 and the 600, you have suit some supervision sessions, that is part of the practicum. 00:50:49.415 --> 00:51:03.460 So that as you're seeing people in spiritual direction, you're having those supervision sessions to reflect on your sessions and how that's going for you and what's happening in you as you give spiritual direction, kind of what you're encountering. 00:51:04.800 --> 00:51:10.260 So those are kind of the, you know, the moments that you have to actually get online from a certain appointment. 00:51:11.915 --> 00:51:12.235 Yeah. 00:51:12.235 --> 00:51:13.775 You're very welcome, Mary Anne. 00:51:14.235 --> 00:51:17.035 So, again, thank you all for being here. 00:51:17.035 --> 00:51:18.495 I I I appreciate it. 00:51:20.075 --> 00:51:25.755 Maria, as always, I'm glad that you're able to host and and just, navigate through the program. 00:51:25.755 --> 00:51:43.595 And Deacon Scott, again, it's so great to have you here and just I I always love hearing the program details, something that both Maria and I talk about all the time, but hearing it from the side of of the student, and, it's been a real blessing to have him here for this. 00:51:44.535 --> 00:51:44.855 Yeah. 00:51:44.855 --> 00:51:49.355 Thank you for taking time out of your schedule, Deacon, to to get on this webinar. 00:51:49.735 --> 00:51:50.375 My pleasure. 00:51:50.375 --> 00:51:51.300 Thank you all. 00:51:51.540 --> 00:51:52.020 Yeah. 00:51:52.020 --> 00:51:52.760 Of course. 00:51:53.300 --> 00:51:59.480 So I'll I'll just say very quickly too again, January 11 is gonna be our next start date. 00:52:00.660 --> 00:52:08.085 Our, communications rep has just posted a link to the application form if you were curious. 00:52:08.145 --> 00:52:11.285 There are some steps in the application, recommendations. 00:52:11.745 --> 00:52:19.540 But, again, when you and I, one on one, and speaking to all all of you guests, when we get a chance to speak, we'll talk a little bit more about that. 00:52:20.000 --> 00:52:27.200 But, but we have the link for the application form, which is one of the steps, presented here. 00:52:27.200 --> 00:52:31.515 I would go ahead and if you're interested, go ahead and fill out the short form. 00:52:31.515 --> 00:52:34.895 This is not a long extensive college application. 00:52:35.035 --> 00:52:36.895 It's it's a pretty short one. 00:52:37.355 --> 00:52:41.610 And we even have a code in front of you if you look at the red box. 00:52:42.490 --> 00:52:46.890 And, usually, the application is, $25, but we can waive that for you. 00:52:46.890 --> 00:52:53.770 If you put the code in s t c r E g f r EE, that way we'll we'll have it waived for you. 00:52:53.770 --> 00:53:04.715 And once we get your application form, I'll reach out and just go through everything else to, to make sure this is a good fit for you and to make sure you have everything you need. 00:53:05.575 --> 00:53:10.155 So with that said, is there anything else before before we end this? 00:53:11.310 --> 00:53:11.550 No. 00:53:11.550 --> 00:53:16.210 Just to say thank you, and Deacon will have you and your ministry in our prayers. 00:53:16.506 --> 00:53:17.246 Thank you. 00:53:18.106 --> 00:53:18.606 Yes. 00:53:19.306 --> 00:53:20.026 Very good. 00:53:20.026 --> 00:53:20.526 Alright. 00:53:20.586 --> 00:53:21.546 Thank you all. 00:53:21.546 --> 00:53:25.086 And, I appreciate you all being here, and God bless. 00:53:25.946 --> 00:53:26.686 Thank you.