June-July 2009
Marriage and Family E-Newsletter
Please share this newsletter with your partners in ministry.
Visit WWW.FORYOURMARRIAGE.ORG for Catholic marriage resources.
- National NFP Awareness Week, July 19-25
- Distance-Learning Modules for Training New Volunteers
- FOCCUS Facilitator Training Coming Up
- Updated Program Outlines AVailable
- Marriage Column to Share
- Enrichment and Support Opportunities
National NFP Awareness Week, July 19-25
The materials for National NFP Awareness Week are now available on line at: http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/nfpweek/index.shtml The slogan this year is: "Marriage and Natural Family Planning . . . a Divine Design!" Among the supportive materials are homily notes, Prayers of the Faithful (English and Spanish), a new Litany to Mary Mother of Life, and couple stories in English and Spanish. Also, check out the Natural Family Planning page for more resources.
Distance-Learning Modules for Training New Volunteers
New Sponsor Couples, Pre-Cana Team Members, and Remarriage Sponsors are more precious than gold! Capture their enthusiasm when they come forward to serve in your parish by registering them to take a enriching and fun home-study training course.
No need to wait for a scheduled training near you. Spouses work together at their own pace to complete the course that teaches them how to use the Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation packets and outlines, catechizes them about the Church’s teachings on Marriage, and enriches their own marriage.
Note; Sponsor Couples will also need to take FOCCUS Facilitator Training (a one-session in-person workshop – see below*) but they can begin to serve couples immediately after completing the Distance Learning Module. Until they complete the FOCCUS training, a current FOCCUS couple from your parish may partner with them.
Contact Lauri Przybysz to learn more and to register for one of the Distance Learning Modules.
Schedule FOCCUS Facilitator Training*
FOCCUS trainings will only be available 3-4 times each year, to make the most of resources. We are now seeking a few other sites in other regions of the Archdiocese to host the FOCCUS training. Clergy and lay persons designated by their parish are welcome to learn how to best facilitate the FOCCUS conversation with a couple.
One site is already scheduled -- St. Timothy, Walkersville, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
To register or to offer your parish as a FOCCUS training site, please contact Lauri Przybysz, lprzybysz@archbalt.org, 410-547-5420.
Updated Sponsor Couple and Pre-Cana Session Outlines Available Now
Step-by-step for BOTH Sponsor Couple and Pre-Cana (Group) marriage prep sessions, now including the new FOCCUS procedures. Please share with your team and new volunteers.
Engaged Couple Session Outline 2009
Pre-Cana Group Sessions Outline 2009
FOCCUS Directions 2009 in English and Spanish
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. Visit Parish Ministry to Engaged Couples for step-by-step instructions for FOCCUS use in Sponsor Couple and Pre-Cana programs in both English and Spanish.
Marriage Article to Share
Here’s a short marriage enrichment article to share with couples in your parish, the latest in a monthly column by Mrs. Lauri Przybysz, marriage and family enrichment coordinator. Consider linking to it on your parish website. This month: “I Married My Friend”. View more Marriage Enrichment Articles.
Enrichment and Support for Marriage
- REMARRIED COUPLES Day of Reflection, June 20, 2009 at St. Elizabeth School, Argonne Drive, Baltimore. Theme: “Seven Levels of Intimacy”, $15/couple includes lunch. Call Kay LaHatte 410-335-2897 or email cl.kl.lahatte@verizon.net
- MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND is a blessing for married couples who have been together for a short time or for a lifetime. Next Baltimore Area Marriage Encounter Weekends are August 14-16, 2009 and November 6-8, 2009. Register on-line at http://wwme.net or call: 410-665-5700 and 1-877-538-Love. (NOTE—WEEKEND DATE AND PHONE NUMBER CORRECTION)
For More Information: Lauri Przybysz, Coordinator of Marriage and Family Enrichment, lprzybysz@archbalt.org 410-547-5420.
