To Accompany, Welcome, and Listen

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I'm Don Prisby, Founder/Director of SongWalk and trained Catholic Spiritual Director.

Here's something about my background and interests.

Academic and Formational Preparation

• Spiritual Direction Certificate, Institute for Psychological Sciences, Divine Mercy University, Sterling, VA, 2023-2025
• MA (Pontifical Master's Degree, STB), Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome Italy, 1984-1987
• BA, Philosophy, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, 1980-84

Career

37 years of marketing and business development.  Healthcare executive and business owner in private and federal healthcare.  Committed to improving patient well-being and managing the cost of care......and listening in very, very complex matters.

Personal

My wife, Elizabeth, and I have been married for 35 years and have raised three adult sons.

I love reading, writing, teaching, podcasting, public speaking, social service, and music composition and production.

Seven Core Values

1. We are each made in the image and likeness of God.
2. We are imbued with a conscience to choose good over evil.
3. We conform our lives to Christ as priests, prophets, and servants.
4. We are called to make space for Grace (the Holy Spirit)
5. We are formed, informed, and in-formation.
6. We are inherently moral people who are in continual development.
7. We rely on family, friends, community, the Church, and prayer to express the potential to which God has called us.

Favorite Scriptures

"The Road to Emmaus" (Lk 24: 13-35) is a compelling story of Jesus accompanying the two 

disciples in their time of concern.  

I love that story!

And, there's another.

Mary's "Walk to Ein Karem."  

Imagine Mary journeying to see her cousin Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is my inspiration.  

• She is married to Zechariah who listens to and trusts the angel's call (Luke 1: 5-25). 
• She is the mother of John, who listens to and follows his vocation to be, "the prophet of the Most High" (Luke 1: 76).  
• Most inspiring, Elizabeth listens to Mary (Luke 1: 39-56).

Look at Mary, with such a calling to share.  Feel her astonishment at being summoned to be the mother of the Son of God.  Picture Mary's need to tell that story.  Mary chooses Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is an inspiration of welcome, hospitality, of making a safe space, and listening. 

Elizabeth gives her whole presence to Mary.  At Mary's greeting, the infant in Elizabeth's womb, "leaps for joy" (Luke 1: 44).

Jesus on the Road to Emmaus models walking with another.  

Elizabeth has moved others who now call her the "Patroness of Listeners."

Elizabeth inspires me in this sacred ministry of listening. 

Prayer

"That I may accompany others as Jesus did on that frantic road.  

That I would welcome, listen to, and acknowledge God's work in others, as Elizabeth did for Mary.  

Amen."