FOCCUS alternatives (long)

klingklang77 Posted: Oct 20, 2005 08:25 AM

FOCCUS alternatives (long)

i am getting married in a catholic church next summer. B/c i am far away (sydney FH is australian we live here) and i am going home in december to book things and plan then, i got in touch with my church. I was concerned b/c FH will not be with me in dec and he would not be able to meet the priest. so the priest at my church said that i need to talk to a priest here and then tell him what i need for the wedding and the priest here will then get in contact with the priest in NY. b/c my church (st.rose of lima) requires FOCCUS, the priest said that i should mention it to the priest here when i go to talk to him. i need to have my FH meet a priest here so that i can set up a date when i get back. i wasnt allowed to just do it on my own.

so today FH and I went to talk to a priest at a nearby church. we told him what my priest said, and he suggested that we take a marriage preparation program that he said is similar to FOCCUS. this program is going to cost $150 and is three 3 hour sessions !! and it isnt even pre-cana. and no i have not mistaken them.

has anyone ever had to do this? i thought FOCCUS was just a questionaire. has anyone taken another type of FOCCUS program??

carlsbride Posted: Oct 20, 2005 08:44 AM

Re: FOCCUS alternatives (long)

If the Diocese in Australia does not use or have access to FOCCUS maybe you can work something out with your priest in NY. The test is not a requirement of the Church, it is something that is determined at the discretion of each parish.

If your priest in NY is adamant about you taking FOCCUS, check out the link below and see if you can set something up individually. I am sure it will work out, hang in there!

FOCCUS link

D&C Posted: Oct 20, 2005 08:48 AM

Re: FOCCUS alternatives (long)

I got married at St. Rose one month ago and we did the FOCUS quesstionaire, then we had to meet with a couple (who we did not know) to go over the answers and what questions we did not match up on. We then started pre-cana a few months after that.

Hope that helps.

Tina120206 Posted: Oct 20, 2005 09:58 AM

Re: FOCCUS alternatives (long)

We did Foccus with St. Rose in August. We just got the call that our results are in this week. I guess now we have to meet with a couple to discuss. I heard its not a big deal. But I don't think you should have to pay 150 bucks. That is crazy. I think St. Rose only charged us $35 to take the little test. I don't know why they needed 35 bucks for a scantron test, but...I dunno. Try talking to Father Dan about it personally. He may be able to help out.

klingklang77 Posted: Oct 20, 2005 10:46 AM

Re: FOCCUS alternatives (long)

the church here said they would take care of the money if we had a problem, FH is finishing up law school and i am finishing up my masters and things are kind of tight, but i just feel bad if they pay for all of it, b/c we can come up with it. i also feel guilty b/c i dont even go to this church. know what i mean?

yeah i have to write father dan and talk to him again.