Foccus (Facilitate Open, Caring Communication Understanding and Study) is a pre-marriage compatibility assessment.  This program helps the engaged couple understand and communicate openly about important topics.  By each taking an inventory of their backgrounds and beliefs, the couple can compare and contrast their results, which will highlight the strength and weaknesses of their relationship.  This helps facilitate discussions in order to build a strong foundation for their marriage.  FOCCUS completes step one of the four-step diocesan marriage preparation process.

Meetings:  FOCCUS consists of one or two meetings, which are held at St. Gregory’s.  Before the first meeting, the engaged couple complete an assessment inventory online, which takes an hour.  During the meeting(s),  they compare and discuss the results.  Engaged couples can register by calling the Parish Office.

Volunteers:  St. Gregory’s needs 2 or 3 FOCCUS counselors to share the responsibility of assisting engaged couples at this important stage in their relationship.  FOCCUS counselors must be licensed, professional, experienced counselors.  

The program is based on the vision of Pope Paul II’s Theology of the Body and its purpose to meditate on God’s plan for married life.  Theology of the Body is the study of God and the purpose of one’s existence, as discovered and revealed through one’s body.  The program unveils how to understand oneself, the vocation of marriage and the call of God to be fruitful through the session’s two parts: “Catholic Faith and Your Marriage” and “Sacramental Sexuality.”  The cost of $50/couple covers the workbooks, a resource book, and a light lunch.  This class is the second of the four diocesan marriage preparation requirements.

Meetings:  Currently, this one-day Program is offered only in St. Joseph and Kansas City on the second Saturday of the month from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Registration must take place in advance directly through the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph web site: www.diocese-kcsjj.org/content/offices_and_agencies/family_life/marriage_preparation/joy-filled_marriage/

Volunteers:  St. Gregory’s is in need of one or two married couples from the Parish to attend a diocesan training that will enable them to teach this class to engaged couples in Maryville.  Otherwise, all engaged couples must drive to St. Joseph or Kansas City for this required class.

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a reproductive health monitoring tool, which teaches couples how to achieve or to avoid pregnancy in marriage using natural means.  The diocese requires engaged couples to attend a one-hour introductory session of NFP; however, follow-up sessions are recommended in order to better understand the woman’s patterns and to discover any infertility signs.

This program is also available to single women and other individuals interested in learning more about Natural Family Planning.

The introduction session costs $40 couple/individual participant.  Some insurance companies cover this cost, and other financial assistance is available if needed.  This introductory NFP class completes step three of the diocesan marriage preparation process.

Meetings: To register in Maryville, please email: info@fertilitycarekc.com for the dates of upcoming classes at St. Francis Hospital.  Registration must be completed at least one week prior to the class date or the class may be cancelled.  To register in St. Joseph or Kansas City, contact the Fertility Care Center of Kansas City to check the class dates and to register (816-858-0198/www.fertilitycarekc.com/).

Volunteers:  Our Maryville community needs one or two women who are willing to become certified NFP teachers so that they can regularly teach the introductory class as well as any follow-up sessions for interested women and couples.  For more information about being certified, contact the Fertility Care Center of Kansas City.

There are two options for the fourth step of the Marriage Preparation Program.  One option is to attend Lead Couples Sessions.  At the two Lead Couples Sessions, engaged couples meet with local married lead couples.  The program uses the Together in God’s Love workbooks, which reveal what each person brings to the relationship from their family of origin.  The engaged couple learns about how their marriage will be the merging of two family histories, values and beliefs and will now begin as a “new creation.”

Sessions:  Lead Couples Sessions are on an individual basis. Please contact the parish to schedule dates and times. A $25/couple fee includes the cost for the workbooks.  The sessions may be cancelled if not enough engaged couples register in advance.

Volunteers:  Married couples, who have been married for five or more years, are needed to attend a diocesan training.  With this training, they will be able to facilitate the sessions for couples in the Maryville area.

The second option for the fourth step for the Marriage Preparation Program is to attend a Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend. Catholic Engaged Encounter is a retreat designed for couples preparing for sacramental marriage.  This weekend provides time away from distractions so couples can talk honestly and intensely about their future life together including their values and priorities regarding money, sex, children, family and their role in the Church and society.  This weekend is presented by a team of two married couples and a priest.  Personal reflection and dialogue between the couple becomes the main focus of the weekend.

Retreat Schedule: The weekend retreats are traditionally held monthly and last from 7 pm on Friday until 5 pm on Sunday at the Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.  Couples wishing to attend an Encounter Weekend must complete a reservation form online through the diocese at least four  months prior to the desired weekend.  Participants can review the possible dates and register at http://kcsjfamily.org/engaged/marriage-preparation-7-steps/catholic-engaged-encounterlead-couple-sessions
 

Volunteers:

Presenting Team Couple:  Married couples, who are practicing Catholics and have been married for one or more years, can volunteer to be a Presenting Team Couple at the weekend retreat.  Their weekend responsibilities include writing talks with the guidance of another presenting team and writing talks to be presented with another team and a priest.  These volunteer couples must sign up to present a one or two weekends per year and experience each weekend free of charge.

Support Couple: Support couples can participate as soon as they are married and may be an interfaith couple.  The couple will experience the weekend free of charge.  Responsibilities include writing and discussing talks with another team and priest and assisting presenting teams and the priest on the weekend with administrative duties such as answering phones.  

Attending Lead Couple Sessions OR the Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend is the final step in the four-step diocesan marriage preparation process for engaged couples. 

This program includes the content from steps 2-4 of the marriage preparation process so couples completing this weekend will not need to attend the God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage program and they will be able to attend an introduction to NFP (Creighton Model) during the weekend included in the cost of THRIVE!  The weekend is held at various parish locations; there will be no overnight stays. Registration includes hors d'oeuvres on Friday, all meals on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. The cost is $225.