Impact of Catholics on Call on Young Adults

2014 Alumni Survey

In February 2014 we sent a survey to 295 of our alums through emails and facebook. We received 70 responses (24%). Sixty-nine percent of the respondents were female, thirty-one percent were male. We had a representation of each of our young adult conferences from 2006-2013.

Click here to see some slides of a presentation with the survey results.

2013 Conference Survey

At the end of each young adult conference we invite our participants to rate the impact of the conference on their lives. More than 90% of the participants absolutely agreed or agreed to the following statements:

• I have deepened my understanding of ministry… (100%)
• I have a greater desire to spend time with God in regular prayer… (98%)
• I have a deeper commitment to pursue a life of service to others… (98%)
• I have gained deeper insight into the various ways I can serve the Church… (98%)
• I have deepened my understanding of discernment… (97%)
• I have formed relationships with peers who are also on a vocational search… (97%)
• I have a greater awareness of God’s personal call and desires for me… (94%)
• I have a greater comfort level in discerning personal vocation and ministry choices… (94%)
• I have a deeper commitment to pursue a life of service in the Church… (93%)

2009 Retrospective Survey

In a retrospective survey we asked past participants how Catholics on Call has been helpful to them. Four themes dominated the responses: gratitude for getting to know other young people who are discerning a vocation; openness to new ideas and experiences; finding direction and guidance; and having time and the possibility to reflect on one's own life/calling.

Participants appreciated getting to know other young people who are discerning a vocation.

“Catholics on Call helped me create a network of friends and peers that serve as a source of support and fellowship because of the things we so strongly have in common and the experiences we shared with one another.”

“I was able to connect with other young adults who are in the same place as me, trying to figure out what their meaning in life is and how to keep God at the center.”

“CoC gave me a network of peers who are like me- religious, prayerful, discerning, etc. I keep in contact with many of these friends who are a source of support, prayer, encouragement and laughs.”

“I have met so many people that have been a great support in my daily religious life and have helped me with so many decisions and thoughts that I have or have had. It has shown me the value of prayer and also the value of relationships with myself, others and God.”

They opened themselves to new ideas and experiences…

“It has shown me the many forms and ways that I can be called to serve the church. Through the people that I have met and have experienced this with, it has helped me to see things from very different perspectives.”

“It helped me see all the options for lay ecclesial ministry and religious life. I was able to do further discernment and found motivation to discern more seriously. I also felt more encouraged to pursue academic knowledge beyond the undergraduate which I had never really thought about before.”

“Catholics on Call definitely changed my perspective on my vocation discernment process. I was scared to bring it up to anyone in my home parish because they push the married life and I was not sure how they would take my news of thinking of religious life. I came home a different and definitely, happier person. After I got home from CoC, I started researching more and more religious orders. I even came so far out of my box that I was not scared to anyone that I was discerning, no matter who it was. I was definitely yelling it from the rooftops.”

…and found direction and guidance in their discernment.

“It has given me a basis for support in regards to my vocation and what I need to do, to come to my decision.”

“It helped my find the direction I needed and helped me to learn how to inspire others on finding their direction.”

“Catholics on Call has given me a supportive community. It has really given me direction in my prayer life, and I’ve grown so much through using what I learned.”

The Catholics on Call Conference provided a space for them to reflect on their own life and calling.

“Catholics on Call has helped me by challenging me to sincerely search my soul and talk to God.”

“Catholics on Call opened up new possibilities, comfort and self-confidence …; an openness to finding my true self, and affirmation that I am on the right path and it would be okay to be a young sister.”

“It simply encouraged me to get to know me better, so I can get to know my God better.”

Catholics on Call has impacted the life of our participants in many ways.

“This retreat and program has helped me better understand my vocation and call to the Holy Priesthood. The week-end re-affirmed my desire and drive to follow the still small voice I heard from within. The voice of God inviting me to give my whole self to Him and Holy Mother Church. The talks ignited the Holy Spirit within to continue and pursue my call no matter how difficult.”

“Since Catholics on Call, I have been involved in a parish as a lay minister and more than anything I was greatly encouraged by the testimonies and the lives of the other participants that have challenged me to live the Gospel faithfully in my work now.”

“This program made me more interested in what forms of communal life the Church has to offer both lay and religious. It has helped draw me closer to the importance of the Catholic Church rituals and teachings in my everyday life.”