NEC 2024 Interview with Theresa Tolpa

0:09Well, hi, Trisha. It's good to have you here with us in the Divine Mercy booth at this, National Eucharistic Congress. And maybe we could start off, just to talking a bit about the congress. You've been having a good experience here so far, I bet. We're in day three now today. Yes. And how would you sum things up about the congress or what most impresses you about it or what most, touches you about it? Yeah. It's been an amazing congress and just the sheer number of people who are here, who come from so far, to be here, to pray, to learn, and to just grow in their love of the lord is is pretty inspiring. And navigating the crowds is kind of incredible, and and it's amazing how peaceful people are.

0:53In a in a crowd of sea of 50,000 people, it's tight in the streets and in in the other locations. So everyone's peaceful and kind and and just working, helping each other. So it's inspiring to see that. I talked to one of the police the other day, and they said it was just such a good crowd to work with and be with. And I think, you know, just what you said, that relationship with Christ in the Eucharist makes for a good crowd. You know? It does. It's okay. And the motivation for being here, you know, is is just to grow in faith and hopefully charity. So showing that to others is what it is. A beautiful thing. Amen. And so you're a student at the DMU, she said, in the school of counseling? I am.

1:30Yes. Mhmm. Did you enter? I started in January 2021. K. And you're part time. Right? I'm a part time student. Yes. Great. And when will you be, is the plan to be finishing off your degree? So I'll graduate in May of this year, god willing. Yeah. Oh, that's wonderful. So next well, it's yeah. Yeah. May of sorry. May of next year, 2025. Right. That's beautiful. Yes. Are you planning to come to Mars? I hope you are. In the graduation ceremony? Yes. I will. Oh, making the walk. Oh, good. Yes. And how has your experience of divine mercy be been so far? How would you describe what you've encountered here? Has it kind of responded to your desires for going into psychology with that Catholic vision of the person?

2:14No. I yes. I saw DMU because of that, because of its focus on recognizing the value of the human person and seeing the whole person, in in the quest to help people develop into flourishing flourishing people. And, so I really appreciated that focus of it and the the Catholic Christian meta model of the person and how Right. It discusses how to, help individuals grow to full flourishing in who they are as a person, spiritually, physically, mentally, all of that combined together. And so I definitely appreciate that aspect of Divine Mercy University. Oh, nice. That sounds great, Trisha. That's the reason most students come. So I'm glad that you found that, you're very, fulfilled in that aspect of your studies at the Divine Mercy.

2:59And if you had to take something out of the meta model, what would be the thing that has most helped you from the meta model? Or anything that has kinda changed your perspective about psychology, about counseling since you started at Divine Mercy University? Mhmm. What do you think about that? Yeah. I think I've had some background in understanding the human person and its value in a different way. But I think one of the themes that keeps coming back is of community and that people are made for relationship. And and just that sense and how the counseling, even the therapeutic relationship between counselor and client is a reflection of that, that we need each other to grow and to, just to know our own dignity.

3:43Of course, God shares that and reveals that to us, but he uses other people to show his love and and his care. And so often, yeah, just that comes through family, through friends, through other other healthy relationships. So I think that's one of the themes that comes back often in my studies as well where we look at the importance of that, of community and of relationship and of, individuals, for example, who are suffering from depression often tend to isolate and don't want to be with other people. But that's exactly what they need usually is that. And that's one of the remedies. Healing. Yeah. Is that it varies. Relationships. Right? Mhmm. That's beautiful. And it's also beautiful what you were saying about how that relationship between the counselor and the client can also be a mirror for the client of God's love for them.

4:31Yes. And that brings a lot of healing in that therapeutic relationship. Exactly. So I'm glad you're discovering that through the through your studies at divine mercy. Yes. Exactly. Yes. And I started my practicum now. So I'm Oh, wonderful. Actually starting counseling, individuals and even seeing that firsthand is powerful as well. You know? Beautiful. And where are you doing your counseling now? Your pract practicum of counseling? The Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Arlington. Of Arlington. Catholic Charities. You're a a a resident of the Diocese of Arlington. I am. Yes. So you're kind of local to Divine Mercy? Yes. Absolutely. That's great. Mhmm. And you can come to some of the events as well.

5:09Yes. I kinda went to this night. Will you be able to be there, you think, September 21 when we dedicate our new Saint Dibna Chapel? Yes. I hope That's gonna be a big event for Divine Mercy. Yes. I hope to be there. Yeah. And the bishop will be there as well. Right. The suburbs will be there consecrating our new chapel, the altar and everything. So that's gonna be wonderful. Yeah. An exciting exciting time at Divine Mercy. It is. It really is. Yep. And we're growing. And, of course, now we just got accredited by CACREP Yeah. For the school of counseling. That must have been a good a good kind of, boost for you to see that happen. Yes. I know it was a long time coming for Divine Mercy University.

5:46We did a lot of planning, a lot of work. Yep. It is a a big relief, especially for students who are in different states just to be able to have Right. Transfer and be able to get licensed or ever. And and just to know having that background is is helpful. Oh, nice. That's great. Yeah. And maybe just to put you on the spot a little bit, if you could tell us, how about a challenge that you kind of had to overcome in your studies or your your work at Divine Mercy University? Is there anything that kind of stands out that that kind of not maybe put you to the test, but was a little bit of a challenge? Yeah. I think in, and I know even in the integration of the faith and psychology, I psychology, I feel like it's still being worked through so much.

6:30And even even at DMU, with the meta model, it was this amazing, first step and of I mean, the fruit of many years of labor. And and even so, there's a sense of still working through what does that mean to be a Catholic psychologist and to integrate that and understanding the free will of the individual in front of us. And, I kind of realized, and God kinda gave me this sense that it's still in progress, and it will be for each individual person. And so I think entering into it with some of that uncertainty, if that makes sense, of how is God going to use this, and how can I work through this, for my in my practice and with my clients and let the Lord use me in the way that he wants to and and not knowing exactly what that looks like?

7:10I like to know exactly what that will be like, but not understand not knowing that. And then we can't know that. Right? It's like so much in our life. Yeah. We can't know the next steps or how it will manifest exactly. So I think kind of that surrender is the Lord of Coahuil use And that trust in God's work. Exactly. And that's very beautiful what you said about the freedom of the kind in front of you because that's one of the things that good counseling promotes, helping them grow in authentic freedom and healing from those mental illnesses and and difficulties that you can kind of limit that freedom and impinge on that freedom. Yeah. So that's a beautiful aspect of what a good counselor does for the client.

7:47Exactly. And that's one of the things one of the reasons I want to be a counselor is to help people to just grow and flourish and to be able to be who god created them to be and live in freedom where, like you were saying, often mental illness, hinders our freedom and being able to and to freely choose the good that God has for us. And so helping people to overcome that, is one of the the goals that I have through counseling. As a counselor. That's wonderful. Yeah. It's really something being able to be allowed into the mystery that is each person. Right. In a certain sense, it's it's a little bit like a priestly vocation. You know? The the person lets the counselor into his inner life, his inner self, And that's something where we have to tread very carefully and with great, with great responsibility and a sense of that honor that the client allows us to do that.

8:38Right. Exactly. And that's one thing that is we've been taught so often is that is, you know, we're there to accompany this person. It's their journey. Right? And we're not there to make decisions for them or to tell them even what to do. It's it's it's the Lord's work in their life, and and we're there alongside them, and to help them to provide, hopefully, some of what we've learned, some expertise in the mental health field to help them, but also let them, in freedom, choose the path that God has for them. So Very good. Well, that sounds wonderful, Teresa. It's good to be able to talk to you a little about some of these, themes here. And, I hope you really have, enjoyed the final days of this Eubers to Congress.

9:20I know I'm really looking forward to it, and it's a joy to be part of the masses, to be able to give communion to those 50,000 people there in the stadium, to a few of them at least. Yeah. So that's a real joy. That's amazing. Yeah. It's a joy to be here. Yes. Thank you for your for your priestly service and that way of helping you. Welcome, It's a it's a it's a real honor and a joy for sure. Alright. Well, God bless you, Trisha. Father. Thank you so much. Take care. Take care. Bye.