FOCUS Retreats: 2023 Recap

2022-2023

Tocatalyzeandmatureintentionaldisciplesinthe LittleWayofEvangelizationthroughtransformative encountersofprayer,thesacraments,andfellowship.

Utilize world-class resources and training to accompanyotherstohostlocalretreats.FOCUS retreatsilluminatethetreasuresofthedepositoffaith whileexhibitingfidelitytothemagisterium,costefficiency,andhospitality.

SeekdailyforintimacywiththeFather,radically abandoningourselvestotheinteriorpeaceofJesus Christ.ThroughtheHolySpirit,weproclaim freedomandprepareaspaceforfaith,hope,and loveinplacesandinsouls.

Collaboratesynergeticallywithinternalandexternal partners,communicateclearly,andcommithumbly to our Lord. Fundamentally, we prioritize repentance,intercession,prayer,andfasting.

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OUR PARTICIPANTS

1:5 Missionary:Student Ratio on student retreats

4:6 Male:Female Retreatants

Junior 27.6% Senior 23.6% Sophomore 22.6% Freshman 19% GradStudent 3.7% Student 72.5% FOCUSStaff 20.9% Parishioner 6.5%

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people participated in a FOCUS retreat this year... 2085

college students

parishioners

missionaries 166 Greek students 56 varsity athletes 53 military cadets

in School Registrant

1480

135

427

Year

Type

OUR RETREATS

36 24 112 2

We hosted retreats, in states and countries, representing campuses.

2 32 2

were retreats for students, were for FOCUS staff, and were for parishioners.

The Father's House: 20

The Way of the Disciple: 7

Spiritual Impact Bootcamp: 8

Silent: 1

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FEEDBACK

From retreatants:

93% saythey grew closertoChrist

84% s a y t h e y wereinspiredand equippedtoshare Ch r i s t

From leaders:

89% yas t h e retreatwassynergetic withbroader camp us g o la s

92% would recommend the retreattoafriend

98% saythey'drecommendtherole

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Other Key Developments

Hosted firstever formal Retreat Director Training in Estes Park, CO

Created two NEW retreats

The Rec Retreat: A retreat for people with varying levels of familiarity with Christianity that seeks build community in small groups while exploring the concept of "(Rec)reation" as an introduction to the Gospel message.

Men's Retreat: Statistics show that men are less engaged with faith than their female counterparts. This retreat seeks to buck that trend by engaging men and helping them to see the Catholic faith through the lens of what it means to be a man.

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Created marketing resources for the three Trinity Retreats re!).

PHOTOS AND TESTIMONIES

A glimpse at the stories the Lord hasbeenwritingthroughRetreats thisyear

Seefullphotoalbumby clicking orscanning>>

East Area Bootcamp

"This was the best retreat to do right before students come to campus. 12/10 makes you feelreadytowelcomethem"

"Thisretreatwasincrediblyhealinganditset myheartonfire Ihadbeenfreefromchains thathadbeenbindingmeinsinforyears,and Ibegantoreceivebeautifulcharismsandgifts fromtheHolySpiritafterIhadreceivedthis experienceofhealing"

"I was able to hear His voice and feel His love. And for the first time in my life, I felt worthy of hislove."

Ireland Father's House James Madison Father's House

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"Thisretreatcameataperfect time when I needed to remember who I am living for andhowtohavearelationship withourCreator."

"It was a subtle change during the retreat but over time I have seen such a great improvement in my self-esteem and mental heath Discovering more fully my identity as a daughter of God has helped me immensely!"

Ohio Father's House

"IwasabletoencountertheHolySpiritin a miraculous way I had the wonderful pleasure of praying with my best friends with my best friend with the guidance of the Holy Spirit she was healed from her stomach issues that she has been dealing withherwholelife.Sothatwasincredible. IreceivedthegiftofDiscernmentofSpirits tobuilduptheKingdomofGod."

"I have already encountered Christ in big ways, and to encounter him with Holy Spiritwasincredible.Exceededeverything. Iamonfirerightnow"

Wayne State Father's House

South Carolina Way of the Disciple

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"OnthisretreatIencountered GodtheFatherthroughthe forgivenessofmymistakes.I learnedthatIcanbeimperfect andstillresideinhishouse.I mayexit,butItrulyfeltmyself walkingthroughthatfrontdoor anddroppingallofmybaggage onthewayup"

"This retreat has brought me closer to

Indiana Father's House Oklahoma Way of the Disciple Greek Father's House

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Jesus than I've

everbeen."

"It made me want to convert to the Catholic faith. And I truly meanthat."

Coastal Carolina Way of the Disciple

"Ihavetrulyneverfeltmoreseenand lovedbytheFatherinmywholelife. Thisretreattouchedmyheartinthe deepestway.Iamsothankful!"

"I love how prayer-focused this retreat was The missionaries gave great insight through their talks that helped lead me into a deeper prayer experience."

"The Lord healed the pain and sufferings left over from my depression and suicide attempts over Covid He took all of it as kindling for his sacred heart and burned the memorieswithhislove.Itwasinhim Iplacedmyforgiveness."

DC Parish Bootcamp Texas Tech Father's House

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Dallas Way of the Disciple

"Alex, an incredibly intelligent student, got up to share one of the graces he received on The Way of the Disciple retreat He said during the night of Adoration following the Way of the Cross he went to get prayed with the prayer teams. During prayer he recognized how he behaved like Zacchaues He used the tree of his own intellect time and again to get a view of who Jesus is He climbed it as often as he could andhereliedonhimselftodeterminewhoJesus is This retreat helped him come down from the treeofhisintellectandmeetthepersonofJesus. He no longer wanted to rely on his own powers to know Jesus but simply except the person of Jesusthroughanintimatefriendship"

Wisconsin Way of the Disciple

"I felt much closer to the Father after this retreat, especially thanks to the great amount of time for meditation and prayer. It really made theFatherfeelhumanandlovingtome."