Divine Mercy University celebrates 182 graduates this May

Divine Mercy University 2024
Divine Mercy University 2024

Divine Mercy University (DMU) celebrated 182 graduates this year at its 23nd Graduation Mass and Commencement Exercises on May 11th, 2024, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia.

Mass was celebrated by Most Reverend Gregory W. Gordon, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, Nevada, who was ordained to the priesthood in 1988 for the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas. In 1995, Rev. Gordon was incardinated into the new Diocese of Las Vegas when it was split from the Diocese of Reno by Pope John Paul II. In 2007, Rev. Gordon moved to Washington, D.C., where he was assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature. He returned to Las Vegas in 2014 where he served as a pastor and in administrative posts for the diocese. On May 28, 2021, Pope Francis named Bishop Gordon as the first auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Las Vegas and the titular bishop of Nova Petra. In 2023, Pope Francis elevated Las Vegas to the status of a metropolitan archdiocese

In his homily, Rev. Gordon encouraged the 2024 graduating class to continuously call upon one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gift of counsel, in their future work and mission in the Church and in the world:

“The gift of counsel recalls the divine assistance that you have received in preparation for your mission; it enlightens us to know what must be done, and enlightens us to counsel others who ask for direction. This gift of the Holy Spirit animates us to live the spiritual works of mercy, including counselling the doubtful and giving sound wisdom to Christians on the road to salvation. Today, as you go forth equipped to offer counsel, spiritual direction, and mental health care in your mission, you allow the Church to show forth more clearly the merciful hand of God to all the souls she will serve.”

Following the Mass, Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC, JD, JCL, who has served as the president of Divine Mercy University for 18 years, provided the opening remarks of the commencement exercises. “You are an answer to many prayers. In a world in such need of hope, in a world in need of healthy relationships, in a world in need of healing and unity, in a world in need of truly human and Godly values, each one of you is an answer to a prayer, an answer to the prayers of many people in search of hope who you will serve, an answer to the prayers of their families and loved ones, an answer to the prayers of the Church and people of faith, an answer to the prayers of so many people of good will in our communities and institutions.”

This year, the Distinguished Alumni Award was given to Dr. James Hernandez, PsyD, PSYD Alumni, Class of 2016. Dr. Hernandez graduated from the Institute for Psychological Sciences with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) in 2016. He completed his post-doc at Catholic Social Services in Lincoln, Nebraska. Subsequently, he moved to Covington, Louisiana and started a private practice. The community needs, and the needs of new therapists seeking an integrated approach to therapy, led him to open a group practice – Sacred Space Psychotherapy. He currently has three therapists working with him and plans on taking a new intern in May.

Philip Scrofani, Ph.D., APBB Professor for the Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University, received the 2024 Faculty Recognition. Dr. Philip Scrofani has spent 52 years as a clinical psychologist, and has been a full time professor at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences for over 20 years. During his tenure, he has shared his extensive expertise in clinical psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy and research review with many students in training, and demonstrated excellence in his support of the mission of the University in his leadership. He has been Board Certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology since 1990. His research with the Catholic Christian Meta model of the Person has helped to deepen the understanding of the human person and his mentorship has formed many clinicians.

The 2024 honorary degree recipient was University of Mary president, Monsignor James Shea. Monsignor James Shea became the sixth president of the University of Mary in 2009. During his tenure at the University of Mary, he has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including a new campus for the university in Rome, an unprecedented collaborative agreement with Arizona State University and Year-Round Campus – a new  way of conceiving higher education to elevate student achievement and reduce debt – and Vision 2030, the university’s overarching campaign for growth. Monsignor Shea grew up on a dairy farm in Hazelton, North Dakota, and has studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., the Vatican’s North American College, the University of Chicago, and Harvard. “The Holy Spirit is at work here,” said Monsignor Shea in his commencement address to the graduating class. “The world is brimming with people who are trying so hard and don’t feel like they’re getting anywhere, and feel like they’re all alone. In the midst of a world like that, God has put his hand on your shoulder, and he’s touched your minds with wisdom and with training so that you can go out and shatter that loneliness.”

Divine Mercy University congratulates its 2024 graduating class!

Divine Mercy University (DMU) is a Catholic graduate institution of higher education offering degree programs in psychology and counseling, founded in 1999 as the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. The university is dedicated to the scientific study of psychology with a Catholic understanding of the human person, marriage, and the family. The university offers Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Psychology and Counseling, and a Doctoral (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology.

Divine Mercy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award masters and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Divine Mercy University.

The IPS doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202)-336-5979 / Email: [email protected] / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

For more information about the degree programs at Divine Mercy University, contact 703-416-8300 or visit www.divinemercy.edu or [email protected].

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!