Catholic Brides - Pre cana question

Hello Ladies:

We are scheduled for Pre-cana with the Rockville diocese for the weekend of August 11th. When we scheduled this, they also gave us dates for FOCUS in May, we were not able to go because of a work issue I had, and FI called before the scheduled date to let them know, he also left a message and no one returned the call. Now that Pre-cana date is coming up I’m getting nervous that they may ask about this. FI spoke to the church secretary who said only Pre-cana is required as far as she knows. I just wanted to find out what have been your experiences, is FOCUS also required or will we be in trouble when we go to precana in two weeks. Also what should we expect for the pre-cana sessions.

Thanks in advance!
Viviana

My parish did not require FOCUS. I'm pretty sure technically to get married in the Catholic Church only pre-Cana is required. Some parishes also require FOCUS, but not all.

We did not have to do it and we're getting married August 11.

ETA - Double check with the priest who is marrying you... but you're probably just fine!

FOCUS is no big deal. We took the test online and just scheduled a meeting to discuss the answers.. it lasted about 1/2 hour.

We did both together at St Dominics RC Church in Oyster Bay, Focus is just a test with tons of questions, personal and financial, they just want all of us (bride & groom) to discuss certain things before we get married, that most of us avoid which will later result in a huge fight of a break up , who pays the bills, what if someone gets sick, do you want children, where are you going to live, how do you feel about sex, I really was against it and so was my husband but we had no choice. But in the end I think it was a good idea considering what is going on in the world today, unfortunatly, most people answer those questions in regards to how the church wants them to, not what is really your answer, there is no right or wrong, in the end they give you a score, if something is opposite they address it and if something is very strange they address personally with you, we had two things that were different, thats because one of us read the question wrong. Its simple, no stress and I do believe it is required from many parishes, but each one is different, the only way for you to know that is to call your parish direct.
Good luck and dont worry, its simple and pre cana can be a little fun

FOCUS is a questionaire that a couple answers on their own. Then someone reviews it, compares the answers and gives you suggestions of what to work on. Not all churches do it becuase you need someone trained to adminsiter it (or so my priest says). He wants it but hasnt gotten it off the ground.
So no it is not required to get married by some churchs do it.