Marriage Preparation Inventory

FOCCUS stands for:

"Facilitate Open, Couple Communication, Understanding and Study"

 FOCCUS  is:

• A series of questions designed to assess each of your habits, expectations, and values.

• A personalized profile of your relationship's strengths and weaknesses.

• An important starting point for identifying and discussing any areas that need attention.

 FOCCUS  is not a test; there are no right or wrong answers.

There will be two FOCCUS Facilitator Trainings this fall: October 7th and October 28th. The FOCCUS inventory continues to be an invaluable tool required by the Wisconsin Bishops for preparing couples for a healthy and fruitful life together. These trainings are for anyone your parish asks to serve as facilitators for the FOCCUS inventory – be that deacons, priests or lay couples.  If you do not have someone in this role, please invite those you think would be a good fit for this. Contact Loree Nauertz with any questions.

Flyer

October 7, 2023
Where: St. Joseph Church, Hayward WI
When: Saturday, October 7
Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm
*Cost: $75 per person, or per couple  
Registration: Contact JulieAnne Johnson, [email protected] to sign up
*cost covers the facilitator manual, snacks and lunch   

October 28, 2023
Where: Nativity of Our Lord, Rhinelander WI
When: Saturday, October 28
Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm
*Cost: $75 per person, or per couple  
Registration: Contact JulieAnne Johnson, [email protected] to sign up      
*cost covers the facilitator manual, snacks and lunch                                      

Resources:
Background of the FOCCUS© Pre-Marriage Inventory
How it works
Frequently Asked Questions
Sample Questions

After a couple takes the inventory, a parish member or marriage preparation team member will conduct a follow-up session with the engaged couple which focuses on key areas of the FOCCUS test. In most cases, this requires only one meeting. However when several differences in critical areas are evident, more follow up sessions may be necessary.

At the completion of this process, the priest, deacon, parish director or pastoral minister (with input from designated marriage preparation ministers) will proceed with your marriage unless a serious obstacle arises that might prevent you from entering a permanent marriage. (These my include: inability to assume the obligations of marriage due to psychological causes, an expressed intention to deny the other a permanent and exclusive union, a decision by either to permanently prevent children and refusal of the Catholic to make every effort to provide for the Catholic formation of children.)