January 2009
Marriage and Family E-Newsletter
Please share this newsletter with your partners in ministry.
Visit WWW.FORYOURMARRIAGE.ORG for Catholic marriage resources.
-- FOCCUS DIRECTIONS 2009
-- PARISH RESOURCES FOR WORLD MARRIAGE DAY
-- TRAINING FOR MARRIAGE MINISTRY
-- ENRICHMENT AND SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES
-- NFP INSTRUCTORS
-- FOCCUS DIRECTIONS 2009
Because of policy changes by the FOCCUS organization, the Archdiocese now must purchase and set up a FOCCUS scoring session on-line. This replaces the Scanner process that read the pencil marks on the answer sheets.
Please visit http://www.archbalt.org/marriage-family/engaged/upload/2009InformSCPCweb.pdf for step-by-step instructions for FOCCUS use in Sponsor Couple and Pre-Cana programs. You are welcome to call Lauri at 410-547-5420 to talk about how these new directions can work in your program. We are working on a video tutorial, too.
COUPLES MAY TAKE FOCCUS ON-LINE ON THEIR OWN COMPUTERS: Log-on information may be emailed to each person and results will be delivered to the facilitator (the person to discuss the FOCCUS with the couple) by email. No more lost or delayed mail!
MORE QUALITY PROGRAM TIME: Having the couples take FOCCUS online at home after the first meeting allows time for additional discussion, prayer, presentations, or private couple sharing. Consider using and discussing the “Personality Survey,” included in each couple packet.
FOCCUS IS A DISCUSSION TOOL: Please urge each person to make the most of the FOCCUS experience. If they understand that FOCCUS is only a discussion tool to help them communicate better, they are more likely to respond to the statements authentically. If they do compare their responses, they are at least discussing topics important to their marriage! Discussion is more important than the “score”.
EXPERIENCE SHOWS COUPLES DON’T “CHEAT”: The Archdiocese of Chicago has about 80% of couples take FOCCUS on-line, and they report little evidence of couples matching their answers. FOCCUS’ studies have found that at least one partner is very invested in learning what the other thinks about the issues.
NEED TO ADMINISTER FOCCUS ON PAPER? While we hope to make the on-line process standard, you may use the FOCCUS inventory booklets and answer sheets to administer FOCCUS to a couple. Please complete the yellow application form and send it with the completed answer sheets to our address. Please follow fax directions on the application form. Answer sheets will not be included in the packets unless you request them when placing your order for materials.
ADMINISTERING FOCCUS IN A GROUP: The makers of FOCCUS no longer recommend that FOCCUS be discussed in a group setting. We understand that a brief glace at the scores in a public situation can lead to misunderstandings and impede communication. We want to comply with these instructions, although we recognize that this new procedure differs from past practice of returning the results to the Pre-Cana leader for use during the group program.
Pre-Cana programs will continue to administer the FOCCUS. However, we will now send the results directly to the priest or deacon (or other facilitator designated by him) who will facilitate a discussion with the couple about their responses.
FOCCUS is a valuable tool for marriage preparation. Please bear with us as we develop these new procedures. We want to use it in the best way possible. We welcome your insights and suggestions for improvement.
-- PARISH RESOURCES FOR WORLD MARRIAGE DAY
During the month of February, please use one of the resources for World Marriage Day in your parish http://wmd.wwme.org/index.html for sample liturgies, celebration, publicity, and more. The annual special liturgy will be at Feb. 8, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, with Archbishop O’Brien. Parishes should send names of their longest married couples to wmdlongestmarried@gmail.com Couples celebrating 25 and 50 years should register for special recognition at wmdjubilee@gmail.com
-- TRAINING FOR MARRIAGE MINISTRY AND FOCCUS
- Sponsor Couple Course with FOCCUS at St. Clement, Rosedale, Jan. 24 & 31, 2009, 9:00-12 Noon
- Remarriage Supplement at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Edgewater on January 31, 2009, 9-1 pm
- $55 includes all materials. Clergy are welcome.
Call 410-547-5420 or visit http://www.archbalt.org/marriage-family/engaged/index.cfm for more information.
-- 11th ANNUAL REMARRIED COUPLES RETREAT WEEKEND
Retreat Master this year is Fr. Thomas Lavin O.F.M. Conv., “Making All Things New in Christ”
February 20-22, 2009, at Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, 8400 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21282
Cost: $314/couple, includes 2 nights’ lodging and 6 meals ($50 Registration fee with balance due January 26, 2009). Send registrations to Kay LaHatte, 612 Oakdean Rd., Baltimore, Md. 21220. Call 410-335-2897.
-- MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND is a blessing for married couples who desire a deeper love for each other, who want to explore the dreams they have for their marriage, who have been together for a short time or for a lifetime. Next Baltimore Area Marriage Encounter Weekends are February 20-22, August 7-9, and November 6-8. Register on-line at http://wwme.net/registration.html or call: Carolyn and Larry Conway 410 668-0157.
-- LIFELINE FOR TROUBLED MARRIAGES
Retrouvaille (re-tro-vi, means Rediscovery) can help couples experiencing marital difficulty. Next weekend is February 13-15, 2009. Call for confidential information or registration 301-468-6764 or 410-647-0350, or email TomNCarol@comcast.net , or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com Visit www.retrouvaille.org
-- NFP INSTRUCTORS
Visit http://www.archbalt.org/marriage-family/index.cfm for a link to a list of instructors trained to teach methods of natural family planning. Please add to your list: Julie Tomko, 410-665-8826, mjmtomko@aol.com, who has completed phase one of training in the Creighton Model.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Lauri Przybysz, Coordinator of Marriage and Family Enrichment, lprzybysz@archbalt.org 410-547-5420.
