1. CRHP Invitations Ministry Church of the Ascension CRHP Focus Group July 14, 2014 Version 3.0 Steve Ehart CRHP Invitations Ministry Co-Chair Church of the Ascension (913) 205-6701

2. Focus Group Details 5 men and 4 women Discerned as invitations coordinators Each from different teams Most recent invitation coordinators selected for participation Duration: 1 hour

3. The Invitees You Need to Get! You Will Need 15-30 Men Invitees 24 Considered Ideal for the Best Experience Experience has shown 3-4 Men Invitees will be “no shows” You Will Need 20-38 Women Invitees 25 Considered Ideal for the best experience Experience has shown 1-2 women will be “no shows”

4. Results/Consensus Conclusions Things we need to do more of: Use a personal touch when inviting attendees Assign specific invitation goals to individuals Get referrals from other groups within the parish Consult and get help from spouses who have attended Continue with pulpit talks—multiple styles & approaches Mix demographics and match to invitees Get endorsement and help from our priest Let invitees feel it was their idea to attend Consider involving other CRHP teams to assist

5. Results/Consensus Conclusions Reduce or Discontinue these things: Don’t e-mail invitees from a distribution list Don’t hound invitees Don’t over assign invitation goals—”many hands make light the work!” Don’t over explain the weekend to invitees Don’t say, “you need to do CRHP!” Reduce the emphasis on persuading and accent the informing aspect of the weekend benefits

6. Results/Consensus Conclusions Good Sources of Leads: New Parishioner lists (esp. 1-3 year in parish) RCIA Welcoming Ministry Re-engaging Catholics Ministry Mothers of Young Children Knights of Columbus School Families Newly Baptized

7. Results/Consensus Conclusions Key Reasons for Invitees to Attend: Become Involved in the Parish Get a spiritual booster—grow in my faith To meet and get to know new people Feel called by God or through prayer Secondary Level Reasons for Invitees to Attend: Spousal pressure Experiencing Personal challenges that requires a change To “check the box” that they attended To share their faith and spiritual journey experiences

8. Results/Consensus Conclusions Key Reasons for Invitees NOT to Attend: “I’m not a retreat person” “I’m not religious enough” Don’t want to stay overnight in the church Feelings of inadequacy about Christian knowledge or teachings “It takes too much time” “I’m too busy” “I need my weekends for family time” “Six months is too long!”

9. CRHP Messaging MEN Focus on opportunity to become better Catholic men, husbands, fathers Offer the opportunity to meet and know other men like you and to build a network Explain the sense of brotherhood Emphasize the retreat is for all levels of faith WOMEN Focus on the weekend as a spiritual booster shot. Explain that you meet others like yourself and build meaningful new relationships while you grow in your faith Emphasize the retreat is for all levels of faith

10. Key Insights Get your priest’s endorsement Create awareness and interest through parish communication opportunities Use existing parish groups for likely leads Consider doing a “pre-approach” with spouses who have attended CRHP to determine best approach Match the message to men—and women! Match the demographics of the invitee Use other CRHP groups to assist as needed Consider creating a mens’ and womens’ brochure as a leave-behind