About EPS

• Mission Statement

• Position Openings New President is Appointed!

• Board of Trustees and Staff

Locations

• Archdiocese of
  Washington, DC
• Diocese of
  Arlington, VA
• Diocese of
  Bridgeport, CT
• Archdiocese of
  New York
• Federation
  Programs

Application
for Admission

CARA Survey

Faculty

Financial Policies
and Ways of Giving

From the Vineyard
Stories of the EPS Family

Harvest Newsletter

Lights Along The Way
(Upcoming Events)

Links

News Around the Network

Prayer Ministry

Questions & Answers

Raffle
(Win $5000 and select
your own renewal
experience!)

Retreats

Special Events

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
A Series Exploring
the Second Vatican Council and the Church Today

Theological
Reflection

Workshops
(Theology in Practice)

 
QUALITY OF FACULTY & THEOLOGY/SCRIPTURE COURSES

EPS graduates present an overall positive evaluation of the program and its faculty.... Nearly all graduates would recommend EPS to others. (Executive Summary, p. 1)

  % responding positively a four-point scale (poor, fair, good, excellent):

  Sample quotations (from transcripts of two focus-group meetings CARA conducted with EPS graduates, with no EPS staff present):

It's empowering....  (DC/VA group)

... It's adult-oriented.  The teaching quality is unexcelled.  I don't know of any university that has as good a faculty....  The camaraderie that is built within the class....  It's a very unique program and I praise God that I was able to get to it and finish it.  (CT/NY)

I tout it to everyone I meet and suggest they enroll for September.  (CT/NY)

INFLUENCE ON PARISH LIFE, FAMILY LIFE, ETC.

Alumni believe their EPS education and formation influences them most in their parish life, but they also report using their EPS training in interactions with friends and family, and to a lesser extent in their workplace and community.  Pastors are generally very pleased with the contributions graduates make to parish life....  (Executive Summary, p. 2)

  % reporting EPS's influence as significant in these areas on a four-point scale (not at all, only a little, somewhat, very much):

Sample quotations from transcripts of focus-group meetings CARA conducted with EPS graduates:

I was just starting RCIA as coordinator and I was just like thrown into it, like naked; I didn’t know anything about my faith. And at the same time, the EPS opportunity came along and it was a blessing I used what I learned immediately. It was amazing. (CT/NY graduate group)

I’d learn it on Tuesday and use it on Wednesday. (DC/VA graduate group)

The thing though that was different about EPS is that I learned to listen ... processing the information first here [head] and then here [heart] .... And so the ministries I was doing before and continue to do and my bringing in some new ones, I think, I’m doing with a little more compassion and a little more understanding and a little more questioning.... (DC/VA graduate group)

For me, raising grandchildren now, ... EPS has helped me guide them.... There’s really a difference.... EPS has helped me ... to show them God, just to show them God. (DC/VA graduate group)

I’m amazed at the number of people who come to my office at work and say, "I know you go to church. Tell me about this." (CT/NY graduate group)

I think it ... gave me the ammunition of sorts that I felt confident to be able to put into words and put into facts in history and things, things I believed; ... very much self-empowering, ... to be able to put my faith into action. (DC/VA graduate group)

% OF GRADUATES SERVING IN CATHOLIC-SPONSORED MINISTRY

The vast majority of respondents have served in some form of Catholic-sponsored ministry since their graduation from EPS. 80% (4 out of 5) are currently serving in a ministry sponsored by a parish, diocese or other organization. Of the 20% who are not currently serving, 85% have done so at some time since their graduation. (p. 24)

Areas in which respondents currently serve are liturgical ministry (48%), ministry to aging or infirm people (31%), social outreach (27%), adult faith formation (19%) , catechesis (19%), RCIA (16%), music ministry (11%), youth ministry (7%), young adult ministry (4%) and other areas (9%). Some are serving in more than one of these categories. (p. 25)

Settings in which respondents currently serve are the parish (68%); hospitals, nursing homes or hospice (21%); school/campus setting (10%); social service agencies (7%); other (12%). (p. 26)

54% are serving in suburbs; 22% in large cities; 21% in towns or small cities. (p. 26)

87% are part-time, 13% full-time. 91% are volunteer; 9% are paid. (p. 27)

They have spent an average of 9 years in their current ministry position and an average of 20 years in ministry as a whole. ... Data suggest that most EPS graduates have gone on to fairly stable ministry positions following the EPS program, and further, that most people entering the program already have substantial ministerial experience. (p. 27)

Sample quotations from two focus groups CARA conducted with pastors, with no EPS staff present:

IMPACT ON SPIRITUALITY, RELATIONSHIPS,
COMMITMENT TO CHURCH

Graduates of the EPS program are nearly unanimous in reporting growth in their own spiritual development, in their interpersonal relationships, and in their commitment to the Church. Some describe the experience of EPS as life-changing. (Executive Summary, p. 2)

% of Respondents reporting growth on a four-point scale ( (not at all, only a little, somewhat, very much):

% of Respondents who found EPS helpful in enhancing relationships with specific groups, on a four-point scale (not at all, only a little, somewhat, very much):

Sample quotations from focus groups conducted by CARA:

OTHER INFORMATION:

Respondents to the survey and participants in the focus groups also gave valuable constructive criticisms for program improvement.. Of particular note:

Provide more leadership training
Capitalize on opportunities for articulation and collaboration with other training programs
Offer more training in practical skills
Strengthen the theological reflection component

____________________

¹ 28% of respondents to the survey question "How could the EPS program have prepared you better?" said that nothing should be changed. (p. 40)

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