Dear CPE Monks and Nuns (in Spirit),
Welcome to CPE Chaplain Training! We are overjoyed to embark on this sacred journey with you.
I must confess—after closing the school in December 23, 2024 for the holidays, we found ourselves in an unexpected predicament. We couldn’t find the keys to reopen the school! Perhaps a metaphor for life itself—sometimes the door is there, but the key… mysteriously missing. Thankfully, our ever-resourceful CPE Supervisor, Steve Gomes, came to the rescue. He found the key (literally), and with that small miracle, we joyfully reopened our doors to welcome new students like you.
This year, we are launching a new program called “Spiritually Fluid CPE Training.” We like to think of this journey as not just academic but also a bit like joining a monastery—without the early morning bells (unless that’s your thing).
Now, I must admit, I’ve always dreamed of being a monk. In fact, I was a monk… for a brief time. Some might say I was the best monk who ever lived (if you ask me). But in all seriousness, the spirit of monastic life—mindfulness, reflection, service, and inner growth—is at the heart of what we hope you’ll experience in CPE.
As you prepare for this transformative training, I encourage you to embrace the mindset and heart of a monk or nun, even if just in spirit. To inspire you, here are three acronyms to guide you on your path:
MONASTERY
M – Mindfulness (Being fully present in spiritual care)
O – Offering (Providing compassion and support to those in need)
N – Nurturing (Encouraging spiritual and emotional growth)
A – Awareness (Recognizing the diverse needs of those receiving care)
S – Service (Dedicated to compassionate and selfless spiritual service)
T – Trust (Building relationships based on integrity and faith)
E – Empathy (Understanding and sharing in others’ experiences)
R – Resilience (Remaining steadfast in times of difficulty and loss)
Y – Yearning (Seeking continuous spiritual growth and connection)
MONKS
M – Mentorship (Guiding with wisdom and compassion)
O – Openness (Welcoming all experiences with a humble heart)
N – Nourishment (Feeding the soul through reflection and care)
K – Kindness (Living with gentleness towards self and others)
S – Servanthood (Embracing a life of purpose and service)
NUNS
N – Nurturing (Cultivating growth in yourself and others)
U – Understanding (Listening deeply with empathy and grace)
N – Navigation (Finding your way through challenges with faith)
S – Sacredness (Recognizing the divine in every moment)
We hope these simple words will be a beacon as you navigate the joys and challenges of CPE.
May your hearts be light, your spirits bold, and your coffee strong. Welcome aboard!
