Responses to a Question from the Next Chapter Evaluation
Question: “If someone asked, how did you benefit from the Next Chapter Program, what would you say?”
Listed below are all responses received from the Next Chapter participants
“The Next Chapter Program helped to bring me from a place of fear and uncertainty about my future outside of medicine to one of optimism and peace by guiding me in discernment of God’s will and presence throughout my next chapter of life.” Doctor
“I would say that it helped me to see that I will not lose my identity after I retire because my identity is more than my career. I have innate gifts and talents that I can use in other places to have a fulfilling next chapter. I would also say that the program helped me to focus more on prayer and listening to God’s voice through other forms of prayer than I normally use. The program gave me the structure and forced me to carve out the time to ask myself important questions about who I want to be and what I want to do after I retire. Finally, it afforded me the opportunity to share my questions and thoughts about my next chapter with people in the same stage of life and benefit from the wisdom of the leaders who are living very happy and fulfilling next chapters.” Government Employee – Bank Regulator
“It not only started my thinking about retirement but gave me a direction to explore and a timeframe to do it in. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!” Doctor
“I would say that it was very helpful for me personally. It is not only for retired or soon to retire people. If you are a person of faith and want to bring God into your decision-making processes, then this is a program for you. Not only were the leaders and content top-notch, the other participants were wonderful. I benefited immensely from the input, sharing and feedback I received from the others. I learned of the value of and some strategies to aid me in discernment. I feel like I am on the path to a better relationship with God in my life. I am also more aware that everyone is on their own journey to better discernment.” Real Estate Manager
“That is exactly what I needed at the time and will always be a great tool to use as I go forward in my life. I need to trust and follow the process.” Retired Business Owner
“First and foremost, I can say that my spiritual life has taken a step in the correct direction. Several steps actually I am less anxious about what happens next and feel like I learned tools and insights for how to address what comes next. I believe that I learned tips and tricks to succeed in the future. Thank you. ” Doctor
“Participation in this program forced me to focus in an organized way on what should happen next. It was especially beneficial to participate with my husband. The program topics were the source of many important and timely conversations for us. I really enjoyed getting to know the leaders and participants.” Lawyer
“I was able to honestly explore what my retirement might look like spiritually and discern what my gifts are and how I might apply them.” Sales Executive
“Our work in the Next Chapter allowed me to refine my goals and evaluate my choices. It was great to learn about my strengths and spiritual gifts. These, plus many of the other activities we did, allowed me to improve my next chapter plan. This program also gave me the courage and self-confidence to begin writing. I would not have accomplished all of these things without the Next Chapter. I am very blessed that God led me to this program and that I met a former Next Chapter participant at my parish. I appreciate and recognize all the work that you all do for us. Thank you, Tom, Dale and Don.” Retired Lab Technician
“The program made me realize how a thoughtfully crafted next chapter can lead to a very rewarding life after “work.” I would encourage people to participate in the program when considering the retirement leap versus my circumstance of having been newly retired. I thought I had really dug deeply into what my next chapter was going to look like, but this program enhanced my view of what was available.” Retired Real Estate
“I was able to take complicated questions and break them down into parts that are manageable. Whether it is God’s plan and approaches through prayer (including different types), my aptitudes and interests, how to approach carrying it out through helpers and overcoming obstacles, etc. ” Retired Doctor
“Provided the structure, support and time to prepare a meaningful framework for the next phase of my life that aligns with my Catholic values. It was a true gift to participate in the Next Chapter program.” Executive with a nonprofit organization
“I would recommend it highly, and also highlight the Ignatian and prayer elements of the program. While those aspects are described in the program materials, they take on a larger role as the program proceeds.” Lawyer
“When we started, I feared retirement, especially the ‘loss and lost’ phase. Having participated in this program I feel has provided the tools and insights needed to recognize that this will happen, but there is a light on the other side. I feel much more confident now as I prepare for that Next Chapter. Having gained a method to address issues in a spiritual way is truly freeing.” Engineer
“The program was very helpful to me in better understanding and beginning to practice effective Jesuit spirituality behavior and thought systems. I have a better understanding of my own values and life purposes. The Next Chapter Program experience helped me discern the next chapter in my life as well as the tools to discern future life challenges, surprises, and opportunities. ” Retired executive of a non-profit organization
“Overall, I truly enjoyed this program and I’ve certainly found the benefit of greater spiritual growth than I might have imagined to be blessed with.” Retired High School Teacher
“I really only was thinking beforehand of what I was going to DO in my retirement… travel, hobbies, exercise, go out with friends, etc., and had no idea of deepening that to find those things that really were going to make me happy and also laying before God those plans so he could weigh in on what His plan was for me in retirement. I learned so much about myself in this program, began to deepen my spiritual life, learned about and began a relationship with a spiritual director, and identified volunteer and other opportunities I would never have considered. All folded into a plan that supports specific goals and a mission statement to keep me centered and focused. I feel so much better about where I am now in retirement. When I retired, I was having terrible insomnia issues. This program was one of the key components for reducing my anxiety, resolving those issues, and giving me confidence in moving forward happily and productively.” Software Engineer
“It helped me with self-introspection a lot. I was shown the importance of building a plan of action and it opened many avenues of interest for me. Retired Business Owner
“Being an organized individual and a planner, I benefitted greatly from the Next Chapter Program. The sequential steps provided a wonderful transition from career to my retirement. Retired Teacher
“The Next Chapter benefits are that I now have the tools I need to help discern my future.” Retired Business Owner
“I have already told many people that it is so valuable to think about and pray about WHO God wants me to be. Next Chapter has made all the difference for me. Banker
Biggest thing for me was the accountability to do the work outside the sessions. This is tough stuff to sort through and my tendency would be to kick it down the path. The gentle nudges from the group leaders helped. No one making you do the work, just giving you plenty to think about. The leaders and participants were very supportive of all the diverse backgrounds and situations folks were dealing with. ” Accountant
“The Next Chapter program created time and space, both mentally and physically, and provided a reasoned process for me to look at who I am, what skills and experience I have, and how I can be of benefit to others while also providing me a source of purpose and joy.” Property Appraiser
“It helped prepare me for retirement and forced me to see a bigger picture over the six months together. I have learned tools that will serve me well in my next chapter.” Financial Planner
“Each individual comes to this program at a different stage in their retirement cycle and a different level of faith commitment. The program gives a solid foundation from which to develop and learn ways in which to open yourself up to God’s message.” Commercial Lender
“Enriched my prayer life, strengthened my sense of purpose, and gave me relative clarity of direction and confidence in pursuing my passions in my “next chapter” of life. Retired IT & HR Manager
“The program guided me in the thoughtful development of a next chapter mission and a comprehensive, workable plan. . . neither of which I had previously pulled together or tried to document. I still have to implement the plan, but now I have a much better idea of how I want to move forward in my retirement. The plan gives me a “living document” which I can revisit and modify as I move forward. It’s a real gift and I am very grateful for the guidance the program gave me as I pulled it together.” Retired Business Manager
“Spiritual growth, better understanding of purpose, and improvement in self-care.” Retired Executive Coach
“I benefitted most from participating with other members of the group during this transitional time of life. I definitely grew personally from using the Examen and discerning decisions. I believe that the schedule over months was great to have time to make changes, consider options and to consider one piece at a time. I appreciated having discussions with others in the group, frequently finding that others were having similar successes and struggles. The identification of gifts was a key for me in making decisions about opportunities. The final plan is an amazing blueprint for making decisions and choices that are consistent with who I want to be during this phase of my life.” Retired Teacher