Ministry Training
The Family Life Office offers ministry training workshops for the FOCCUS and “For Better and Forever” Sponsor Couple programs in English and Spanish on a regular basis. PreCana presenter training is offered as needed. Training workshops for other parish ministries such as ministry to the bereaved or to the divorced and separated are offered periodically or as needed.
Marriage Preparation Ministry Training
FOCCUS Training Program
(Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding
and Study)
The FOCCUS Seminar is a training session for clergy, professional counselors
and others involved in preparing couples for marriage. FOCCUS is a marriage
instrument of assessment. It covers such areas as communication, dual-careers,
in-laws, interfaith issues, family of origin and second marriages. Facilitators
are trained to administer the assessments and to facilitate the couple’s
discussion of the results in follow-up sessions. Both computer-scoring and
hand-scoring resources are available.
Workshops presented by certified trainers here in the Archdiocese are scheduled
periodically and as needed throughout the year. Call the Family Life Office
for scheduled dates and cost or to register your interest in attending one
in the future. Registration is required for this workshop. Please call Ivonne
Vreeland at 404-888-7818 for more information.
Spanish FOCCUS Training Program
(Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study)
The Spanish FOCCUS Seminar is a 5½ hour training, which covers the same materials as the English FOCCUS. The presenter and the format used are different. Call the Family Life Office for scheduling.
FOCCUS en Español
El taller de entrenamieto iniciará al participante en el desarrollo, administración y el uso de FOCCUS. Proveerá a los que lo usan con un entendimiento de los temas y métodos que el instrumento identifica. Un extenso manual para la persona que lo usa con ayuda adicional para el consejero ha sido desarrollado por FOCCUS y será estudiado durante el taller. El taller de FOCCUS es para todos los que trabajan con las parejas comprometidas (sacerdotes, diáconos, hermanas religiosas, ministros laicos y therapeutas). Para mas información sobre el taller de FOCCUS, favor llamar a la Oficina de Vida Familiar al (404) 888-7818, y preguntar por Ivonne Vreeland.
For Better and Forever Sponsor Couple Training Program
This is a 6 hour training seminar to instruct married couples how to become Sponsor Couples in their parish. Pastor approval is required. Training is offered 3 times a year at different locations in the Archdiocese. The fee for the training is $85.00 per couple and is inclusive of manuals, continental breakfast and lunch. The fee is non-refundable and usually covered by the local parish. For additional information please call Lynn Crutchfield at the Family Life Office, (404) 885-7450.
For Better and Forever Sponsor Couple Training Program in Spanish
This is a six hour training program offered in Spanish to instruct married couples to become sponsor couples using the Spanish version of The For Better and For Ever program. For information on upcoming workshops, please call Ivonne Vreeland at 404-888-7818.
En las buenas y por siempre, Entrenamiento de Parejas Apadrinadoras en Español
Este taller está diseñado para entrenar a parejas casadas para que realicen la preparación matrimonial con las parejas comprometidas para casarse.
Favor de llamar a Ivonne Vreeland al 404-888-7818 para mas inforomación.
PreCana
(Provided as needed)
Qualified volunteers are trained to be presenters of the PreCana Workshop through observation of a PreCana workshop followed by a 4-hour training program with Family Life Office staff. Continuing education and enrichment activities are provided to all volunteers. There is no charge for this training.
Pastors who are interested in offering the PreCana program in their parish should contact Linda Sweeney at 404-885-7209 or lsweeney@archatl.com for assistance in setting up the program and training the volunteer team.