| FOCCUS
MINISTRY Resources
Books
FOCCUS stands for Facilitating Open
Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study. SMM FOCCUS MINISTRY is composed
of couples from our parish who help "facilitate" the process of preparing our
engaged couples for marriage. Our FOCCUS couples are trained by the Diocese of
Orlando Family Life Office, are committed for two years to this ministry, and
are opened and willing to receiving ongoing marriage enrichment and support through
this ministry.
How
does the FOCCUS process work? The Coordinators of this Ministry set up a FOCCUS
couple with an Engaged couple. Then the FOCCUS couple, either at Church or at
their home, administers the FOCCUS Inventory to our engaged couple on a single
evening. The Inventory is scored by computer and then both couples come together
again to spend time discussing some of the questions from the inventory to sense
if the engaged couple needs added assistance. If they do, the FOCCUS couple refers
them to Sr. Helen Hayes, our Marriage Prep Coordinator or one of the priests from
the parish.
It is hoped that during the time the FOCCUS couple spends with the engaged couple
they will "by their lives" witness to the Sacrament and holiness of marriage.
It is also hoped that through this process our engaged couples will feel loved,
valued and connected to the People of God in our parish. For more information
contact FOCCUS Coordinators, Larry &
Mary Ann Scotchie. |
| MINISTRY
TO ENGAGED COUPLES Resources
Books
Marriage Preparation, which is
required by the Diocese of Orlando, is under the auspices of Sister Helen Hayes,
OP. Couples who are planning to be married are requested to meet with Sister Helen
nine months to a year before their prospective wedding date and only after they
acquire current baptismal certificates (dated within the year and having the parish
seal). They are also required to be a member of St. Mary Magdalen for at least
six months. They will meet twice with an approved married couple who will administer
a Personal Inventory, facilitate a discussion of the results, and convey their
understanding of what it means to be married in the Catholic Church. Lastly, we
ask the engaged couple to participate in a Pre Cana seminar or Engaged Encounter.
When
the engaged couple has completed the above preparation, they will meet with the
priest who is the official witness of the Church and who will celebrate their
reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony. They will also meet with the Director
of Liturgy or his representative who will assist them in their choice of music
and Scripture readings for the wedding ceremony. During the first year of marriage,
engaged couples are requested to participate in a support group for the newly
married. We wish to give the marriage every chance for lasting success. Contact Sr.
Pat O'Malley or Claire Geltz at the
Church Office for more information. |
